SAKIS TOLIS

ROTTING CHRIST

Today in the 10 Commandments we would like to present you Sakis Tolis – godfather of Southern black metal, one of the genre's originators. Since 1987, when ROTTING CHRIST was founded, he has been one of the most active and creative musicians on the European metal map. Let's try to figure out how he got addicted and sold his soul to demonic metal.

I. CELTIC FROST - "To Mega Therion"
The album that opened new paths to the word "atmosphere" in music. When I listened for first time the orchestral parts as well as the female vocals I felt delightful trembles in my body. Definitely this album has influenced a whole generation and still can be listened, gigantic by sound!





II. SLAYER- „Reign In Blood”
That was the fastest album back in the days, it includes demonic rapid riffing changes that could easily blow up your mind. The album that shows to a whole generation how Thrash Metal should sounds like. The supreme record in that style.





III. VENOM- „Black Metal”
The title says it all. A big thanks and hails to these English guys! In a really difficult era they created something new and unique. The BLACK SATANIC METAL. Nothing more nothing less.






IV. BATHORY - „Under The Sign Of The Black Mark”
Another band, another album that in my opinion inspired a whole generation. The true beginning of so called the second generation of Black Metal school. Demonic vocal parts, pretty simple and fast yet soulful music and the glorious keyboards. I feel my heart start to tremble when I listen to „13 Candles”




V. POSSESSED- „Seven Churches”
The first black death album ever. That was the correct and powerful answer for the European black/death metal. Tight and twisted riffs, dark satanic atmosphere and here we have something that in my opinion is one of the seven deadly sins. The seven churches.





VI. EXODUS- ”Bonded By Blood”
Thrash Metal was born. Nobody could expect that the evolution of music can result in so powerful and fast album back in time. This album was „Bonded By Blood”- a pure lesson in violence for all headbangers around the globe






VII. KREATOR - „Pleasure To Kill”
European Thrash is here and yeaaah... much more aggressive and raw than the American one. Enjoy to kill.... kill with pleasure...







VIII. METALLICA - „Master Of Puppets”
A Master on his own. Masterly riffs, masterly compositions ...everything is masterly on this album. All the songs can be easily considered as something fresh, even nowadays. Just check a METALLICA's show and you will see...






IX. IRON MAIDEN - „The Number Of The Beast”
This is the HEAVY METAL we all love. Double guitar melodies that inspired us. We can sing them even if we do not hear a voice! It sounds strange but IRON MAIDEN still pack stadiums playing these old glorious songs. I'm sure that everyone once in a lifetime declared that was its best album. How can i exclude myself from this list?




X. BLACK SABBATH- „Master Of Reality”
Everyone who has been involved in his life with metal music just love BLACK SABBATH. All their albums can be included in a list of your all time 10 best albums. Since I'm forced to choose one of them, I will go ahead with „Master Of Reality”.Sweet Leaf, After Forever, Embryo, Children of the Grave, Orchid, Lord of this World, Solitude, Into the Void. Each of those songs is a brick on the Heavy Metal wall.




CV:
Real Name: Sakis Tolis
Stage name: Sakis, Necromayhem,
Function: guitar, vocal
Associated: ROTTING CHRIST, THOU ART LORD, DESOLATION, NIGHTSTALKER