ROTTING CHRIST have been arrested in the Eastern European state of Georgia on spurious grounds involving charges of terrorism allegedly based on the band's name.
ROTTING CHRIST frontman Sakis Tolis relates the events in his own words: "We arrived in Georgia's capital Tbilisi very early in the morning of Thursday, 12th of April. After the regular document check at the border, my brother and I were stopped by the police on our way out from the airport. After some minutes, we were ordered to follow police to another area of the airport under the pretence of further questioning before entering the country. Instead, we had our passports and mobile phones taken away and were lead into a prison cell. When we were demanding to be told the reason for this arrest, we were simply told this information would be 'confidential'. Our lawyers informed us later that we are on a list of unwanted persons of national security that branded us as Satanists and therefore suspects of terrorism.
Without previous warning and no official reason, we found ourselves in jail, locked into a small and rather dirty cell and without being permitted any contact to the outside world or legal representation or our embassy for 12 hours. Conditions were bad and no further information provided during this time.
Luckily, only the names 'Tolis' were on the list and the other two band members started to work with the local promoter to extract us from prison and commence legal procedures. It took strong efforts and a complicated procedure to find a solution. Due to the hard work of the local promoter, who involved legal experts, journalists, and activists in Georgia, we were finally released. We are extremely grateful to everybody involved in this process. In the end, we were even able to perform our show and it turned out to be a fantastic night. We would also like to thank all our Georgian metal brothers for their overwhelming support!"
ROTTING CHRIST were allowed to leave the country towards Armenia without any further complications.
In further news, ROTTING CHRIST have updated their festival schedule for this summer. Please find a list of confirmed appearances below.
21 Apr 18 Burgas (BG) Youth Cultural Center
04 May 18 Velenje (SI) Metal Days Warm Up show
05 May 18 Izegem (BE) Headbangers Ball Festival
11 May 18 Kopervik (NO) Karmøygeddon Festival 2018
13 May 18 London (UK) Incineration Festival
27 May 18 Langres (FR) Outch! Festival
02 Jun 18 Duisburg (DE) Rage Against Racism
07 Jun 18 Sölvesborg (SE) Sweden Rock
16 Jun 18 ?ervený Kostelec (CZ) Metal Gate festival
14 Jul 18 Anyksciai (LT) Devil Stone Festival
17 Aug 18 Borre (NO) Midgardsblot Festival (exact date tbc)
18 Nov 18 Bucharest (RO) Metal Gates
ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With a steady core line-up and their well-honed live delivery, ROTTING CHRIST are filling concert halls and reap enthusiastic crowd reactions wherever they go. This demonstration of love from their followers is not just driven by nostalgia as the band has managed to evolve and grow, while staying relevant beyond the classics with their highly acclaimed latest albums such as 'Aealo' (2010), 'Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτοÏ' (2013), and 'Rituals' (2016).
With more than 30 years, 12 studio albums, a dozen EPs, singles and split releases, as well as more than 1.250 shows under their belt, it is about high time to take a retrospective look at this band's fascinating musical development by picking a select choice of key tracks covering the many facets of ROTTING CHRIST that have sparkled over the years. With such a massive catalogue such an undertaking will always lead to controversy about certain additions as well as omissions from the final list, but the involvement of frontman Sakis Tolis in this extremely difficult task ensures that the result is at least relevant.
ROTTING CHRIST were founded by Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis in the year 1987. Starting out on a basis of death and grind, the Greeks had already embarked on a darker musical journey by the time their debut full-length 'Thy Mighty Contract' (1993) was revealed. On the following seven albums covering a ten-year period from 'Non Serviam' (1994) to 'Sanctus Diavolos' (2004), ROTTING CHRIST steadily defined their own distinct style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy, and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time, the band went from underground heroes to headliner status. With the highly acclaimed ninth album, 'Theogonia' (2007), the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which has remained with them as a signature trademark ever since. Exploring the mythical legacy of cultures around the globe let to ROTTING CHRIST's massively successful latest release, 'Rituals'. With 'Their Greatest Spells', the Greek metal icons musically revisit their exciting legacy and even contribute a brand new track entitled "I Will Not Serve" to connect their past with the present.
Line-up:
Sakis: vocals, guitars
Themis: drums
Van Ace: bass
George: guitars
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