Editing Rotting Christ (section)

== History<!--'Unisound Records' redirects here--> ==
Rotting Christ was founded in 1987 as a [[grindcore]] act. They released a series of demos and splits with local bands during their rehearsal era. During this period, the group gradually altered their sound with influence from proto-[[black metal]] bands like [[Celtic Frost]] and [[Venom (band)|Venom]], and in the process became one of the inaugurators of black metal. Their 1989 demo, ''Satanas Tedeum'', presented a crossover between black metal and grindcore. In 1991, the band released ''[[Passage to Arcturo]]'', their career-breaking EP.

One of band's major debuts was on the 1993 "Fuck Christ Tour", which also featured [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]] and [[Blasphemy (band)|Blasphemy]]. During this concert, some audience members engaged in cutting and self-mutilation that resulted in [[Inpatient care|hospitalization]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bands.metalland.net/cgi-bin/detail.cgi?id=1233&lang=en|title=Band "Rotting Christ" :: Download Rotting Christ MP3, read Biography, Discography, Members and more...|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> Before signing to Unisound Records (a now-defunct Athens-based [[independent record label]] founded in 1992),{{efn|Not to be confused with the Stockholm-based [[Unisound Recordings]].}} [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]]'s [[Øystein Aarseth]] had expressed interest in distributing the band through his [[Deathlike Silence Productions]] label,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/rants/6-900_when_hades_strikes.aspx|title=CoC : Rant : When Hades Strikes...|access-date=14 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212221342/http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/rants/6-900_when_hades_strikes.aspx|archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref> but due to Aarseth's murder the same year, nothing materialized. The band signed to [[Century Media Records|Century Media]] in 1996 and remained on their roster for 10 years before joining [[Season of Mist]].

Rotting Christ has played in many regions outside their native [[Greece]], including the [[Americas]], Greater [[Europe]], [[Russia]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Malta]], the [[Middle East]] and [[South Africa]]. Several heavy metal festivals around the world have hosted the band, including the 2003 [[Wacken Open Air]] in [[Schleswig-Holstein]], [[Germany]]. Past tour-mates include [[My Dying Bride]], [[Tristania (band)|Tristania]], [[Tiamat (band)|Tiamat]], [[Vintersorg]], [[Finntroll]], [[Agathodaimon (band)|Agathodaimon]], [[Old Man's Child]], [[Malevolent Creation]], [[Anorexia Nervosa (band)|Anorexia Nervosa]], [[Vader (band)|Vader]], [[Krisiun]], [[Deicide (band)|Deicide]], [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]], [[Melechesh]] and [[Nile (band)|Nile]], among many others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/538/Rotting-Christ.html|title=Rotting Christ html Biography and Band Info at The Gauntlet|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=12448|title=Anorexia Nervosa Join Vader's Blitzkrieg 3 Tour|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metal-rules.com/interviews/RottingChrist.htm|title=Metal Rules!!: Interview with Rotting Christ|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Rotting Christ1.jpg|thumb|Rotting Christ performing in 2003]]
Rotting Christ was one of the first bands announced to perform the Barge to Hell festival, which is a metal-themed cruise organized by Ultimate Metal Cruises and took place aboard [[Royal Caribbean International|Royal Caribbean]]'s ''[[MS Majesty of the Seas|Majesty of the Seas]]''. Barge to Hell set sail from Port of Miami on 3 December 2012.

{{As of|2024}}, Rotting Christ has been around for 37 years and is one of the longest running bands within the black metal genre. In celebration of the band's longevity, the 2-DVD + 2-CD compilation ''Non Serviam: A 20 Year Apocryphal Story'', shot in Athens on 8 December 2007, was released in Europe and North America 23 February 2009.

''[[Aealo]]'', the band's tenth studio album, was released on 15 February 2010, in Europe and 23 February 2010, in the United States.

Their eleventh album, ''[[Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού|Katá ton Daímona Eautoú]]'', was released in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.season-of-mist.com/bands/rotting-christ |title=Rotting Christ, KATA TON DAIMONA EAYTOY (Do What Thou Wilt) album, Dark Metal (news, biography, releases, downloads, line-up, tour dates) &#124; Season of Mist, Metal Label |publisher=Season-of-mist.com |access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref>

They made their first appearance in South Asia on 13 September 2014, in India (Bangalore Open Air 2014 Edition) and 14 September 2014, in Sri Lanka.

Their twelfth studio album, ''[[Rituals (Rotting Christ album)|Rituals]]'', was released on 12 February 2016.<ref>Bowar, Chad. "Mayhem + Watain To Co-Headline 'Black Metal Warfare II' U.S. Tour with Rotting Christ". Loudwire. [http://loudwire.com/mayhem-watain-black-metal-warfare-ii-us-tour-rotting-christ/]</ref>

To coincide with their 30th anniversary, the band released a new 7-inch single "The Call" on 9 February 2018; the single's b-side is a live version of "The Sign of Evil Existence", which includes guest vocals by [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]]'s [[Adam Darski|Nergal]] and Varathron's Stefan Necroabyssious.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rotting Christ To Release "The Call" 7-inch In February|url=http://www.theprp.com/2018/01/19/news/rotting-christ-release-call-7-february/|publisher=theprp.com|date=19 January 2018|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref> The band also released an official biography entitled "Non Serviam: The Official Story Of Rotting Christ" in late November 2018, written by Sakis Tolis and British author Dayal Patterson (author of 'Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult', 'The Cult Never Dies Vol. One' and 'Into The Abyss') and published by British publishing house Cult Never Dies. The book features extensive interviews with Sakis Tolis, Themis Tolis, Jim Mutilator, Morbid, George Emmanuel and members of the bands Watain, Mayhem, Enslaved, Moonspell, Blasphemy, Mystifier, Septicflesh, Behemoth, Macabre Omen, Cradle Of Filth and Immolation <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rotting-christ.com/en/news/non-serviam-the-official-story-of-rotting-christ-202/|title=Non Serviam: The Official Story of Rotting Christ|website=Non Serviam: The Official Story of Rotting Christ}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cultneverdies.com/p/non-serviam-official-story-of-rotting.html |title=Cult Never Dies Productions: NON SERVIAM: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF ROTTING CHRIST |website=www.cultneverdies.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160254/http://www.cultneverdies.com/p/non-serviam-official-story-of-rotting.html |archive-date=5 November 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The book has since been released in Greek, Russian and Czech languages.

Rotting Christ's thirteenth studio album, ''[[The Heretics (album)|The Heretics]]'', was released on 15 February 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=143959 |title=Rotting Christ Posts New Album Trailer – in Metal News |website=Metalunderground.com |date=15 August 2011 |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/rotting-christ-new-song-fire-god-and-fear-new-album-the-heretics/|title=Rotting Christ Debut First Song Off 2019 Album 'The Heretics'|first=Joe|last=DiVita|website=Loudwire|date=28 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rotting-christ-to-release-the-heretics-album-in-february/|title=ROTTING CHRIST To Release 'The Heretics' Album In February|date=19 November 2018|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>

In 2020, Rotting Christ announced a collaboration with the video game developer Cold Symmetry on their [[action role-playing video game]], [[Mortal Shell]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Collaboration with the creators of the PS4 game Mortal Shell|url=https://www.rotting-christ.com/en/news/collaboration-with-the-creators-of-the-ps4-game-mortal-shell-233|access-date=27 January 2021|website=Rotting Christ Official Website|language=en}}</ref>  The game's launch trailer, released in August 2020, featured the song "χξς (666)" as its soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ROTTING CHRIST featured in trailer for PS4 game 'Mortal Shell'|url=https://www.season-of-mist.com/news/rotting-christ-2020-08-07/|access-date=27 January 2021|website=Season of Mist|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, a downloadable content pack, titled ''"Rotten Autumn"'', was released for the game in October 2020 and includes, among other content, an alternative soundtrack composed by Rotting Christ.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Rotten Autumn is here...|url=https://www.mortalshell.com/news/?id=13|access-date=27 January 2021|website=www.mortalshell.com}}</ref>

Rotting Christ's  fourteenth studio album, ''[[Pro Xristou]]'', was released on 20 May 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/rotting-christ-begin-recording-new-album-studio-video-streaming|title=ROTTING CHRIST Begin Recording New Album; Studio Video Streaming|publisher=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=4 July 2023|date=4 July 2023}}</ref>

=== Line-up ===
The permanent line-up consists of brothers [[Sakis Tolis]] (vocals and guitar) and Themis Tolis (drums). Third founding member Jim Patsouris played bass until 1996. [[Andreas Lagios]] was the bassist since 1997, taking the stead of Patsouris until the end of 2011. [[Nightfall (band)|Nightfall]]'s Giorgos Bokos joined as a guitarist in 2005, replacing Costas Vasilakopoulos. In February 2012, Bokos announced his departure from the band for personal reasons.<ref name=rocking.gr>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocking.gr/news/Parelthon_apo_tous_Rotting_Christ_o_Giwrgos_Mpokos__Me_to_authentiko_line-up_tha_emfanistoun_sto_Nuclear_War_Now_Festival/12058/ |title=Παρελθόν από τους Rotting Christ ο Γιώργος Μπόκος / Με το αυθεντικό line-up θα εμφανιστούν στο Nuclear War Now! Festival |publisher=Rocking.gr |date=16 February 2012 |access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> In December 2012, the new members of the band were announced: guitarist George Emmanuel and bassist Vagelis Karzis.<ref name=rockoverdose.gr>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockoverdose.gr/news_details.php?id=18164 |title=Rock Overdose – News – Rotting Christ: Oλοκληρωθηκε το νεο line up της μπάντας! |publisher=Rockoverdose.gr |date=21 December 2012 |access-date=29 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809203757/http://www.rockoverdose.gr/news_details.php?id=18164 |archive-date=9 August 2014 }}</ref> George Emmanuel and Vagelis Karzis amicably left the band in February and May 2019 respectively to pursue other projects.<ref name=InjectionEmmanuel>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/latest-news/breakups/rotting-christ-splits-with-guitarist-george-emmanuel|title=ROTTING CHRIST Splits With Guitarist George Emmanuel|date=26 February 2019|website=Metal Injection|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref><ref name=VagelisInstagram>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxrd_I8C72P/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Bxrd_I8C72P |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Vagelis Van Ace Full House BC on Instagram: "Last night was my last show with Rotting Christ! 7 amazing years, more than 400 shows round the globe and a ton of experience! I wanna take…"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=20 May 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Three [[Keyboard instrument|keyboardists]] had previously been a part of the band; George Tolias, George Zaharopoulos (Magus Wampyr Daoloth of [[Necromantia]]) and a session musician known only as Panayiotis (on ''[[A Dead Poem]]'').

The band members from the beginning, up to ''[[Triarchy of the Lost Lovers]]'' album, were using the pseudonyms Necromayhem for Sakis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Necromayhem|title=Necromayhem|website=[[Discogs]]|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> Necrosauron for Themis<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Necrosauron|title=Necrosauron|website=[[Discogs]]|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> and Mutilator for Jim (Dimitris).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/mutilator|title=Mutilator|website=[[Discogs]]|access-date=14 August 2016}}</ref> George Zaharopoulos used the pseudonym Morbid for early EP and split-LP releases up to ''Passage to Arcturo'', and the pseudonym Magus Wampyr Daoloth<ref>{{Cite web|title=Magus Wampyr Daoloth|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/311160-Magus-Wampyr-Daoloth|access-date=27 January 2021|website=Discogs|language=en}}</ref> for ''[[Thy Mighty Contract]]'' and ''[[Non Serviam (album)|Non Serviam]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Patterson|first1=Dayal|title=Non Serviam – The Official Story of Rotting Christ|last2=Tolis|first2=Sakis|publisher=Brainfood {{!}} Acid Publications|year=2018|isbn=978-960-436-595-1|location=Athens, Greece|pages=|language=Greek|edition=Greek}}</ref>