Rotting Christ - Los Angeles, CA - 2/22/23

Greek black metal legends Rotting Christ released their thirteenth studio album The heretics in 2019. Once the pandemic had more-or-less calmed down to where bands who start touring again, Rotting Christ went right back to touring. After a successful tour last year, they came back for another run with more awesome black metal bands. This time, they brought with them Carach Angren, Uada and Gaerea. One of the first stops on the tour was the 1720 warehouse in Los Angeles, CA. Even though it was a Wednesday, metalheads packed the venue to where it was almost sold out. The setting was perfect for a black metal show and the fans were more than ready.

The first band up is Gaerea. They are a black metal band from Portugal. In 2022, they released their third album Mirage. They came out and started their show with Deluge. The first thing you'll notice is how the band members wear hoods and choose to keep their identities a secret. That's always a nice touch at a black metal show. Other songs performed during their set was Salve, Mirage and Urge. The band was very energetic and did not stand still for one bit. They're definitely a good band to check out if they come to your area. The last song of their set was Laude. The band thanked the audience then left the stage. The show was just getting started and it was off to a great start.

Carach Angren is a symphonic black metal band from the Netherlands. Their name means "Iron Jaws" in the Elvish language of Sindarin which is derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. In 2020, they released their sixth album Franckensteina Strataemontanus. The album is a concept album inspired by the life of Johann Konrad Dippel. The stage was set, and the fans went wild when the lights turned off signaling the arrival of the Dutch ghosts. The first song performed was The Ghost From Raynham Hall from their EP, Ethereal Veiled Existence. The first thing you'll notice is that Carach Angren all wear traditional corpse paint. Singer Dennis "Seregor" Droomers delivers his evil black metal growls. Fans of the band will notice that original drummer Ivo "Namtar" Wijers was not present as he had left the band in 2020. Drumming in his place was Gabe Seeber who also drums for Decrepit Birth, Vale of Pnath and Abigail Williams. Carach Angren is a perfect band for fans of horror movies as their music has a feeling of terror and chills. They played some of their biggest hits which included The Carriage Wheel Murder, Bitte tötet mich (Please Kill Me), The Necromancer and Monster. Their set came to an end when they played the fan-favorite and usual ending song, Bloodstains on the Captain's Log. Carach Angren always put on an amazing show that should be seen by anyone that's a fan of horror movies/stories and metal music. They finished their set, left the stage and made way for the headlining band of the tour.

Rotting Christ is a legendary black metal band from Greece. Since forming in 1987, they have released thirteen albums with the latest being Heretics which was released in 2019. Brothers Sakis (guitars/vocals) and Themis (drums) Solis are the band's two founding and main members. The lights went out once again and the packed venue roared with excitement as the intro segment to 666 played over the speaker. The members of Rotting Christ made their way to the stage and played 666 which is easily one of their best songs. The crowd reacted by moshing and shoving. Rotting Christ is a loud band, and it was only further proven as they played many of their hits including Elthe Kyrie, Demonon Vrosis and In Yumen-Xibalba. Sakis spoke to the audience for a bit to talk about how it felt great to play live again and how Los Angeles always makes them feel welcome. To end the show, Rotting Christ played The Raven, the final track from the latest album. Rotting Christ finished their show and left the stage. The fans stayed put and cheered. After a small break, Rotting Christ came back out for an encore. The song was Noctis Era. Rotting Christ finished the song, thanked the audience for coming out and left the stage for the last time. All the bands were amazing and it's highly suggested to see any of them if they come to your area. Especially if it's this tour.

Photos and review by Misael Ruiz

Rotting Christ

Carach Angren

Gaerea