What does The Heretics sound like?

A haunting blend of black metal and gothic elements, steeped in dark themes and evocative melodies. Rooted in black metal and gothic metal. Start with "In the Name of God".

Is The Heretics a good place to start with Rotting Christ?

Yes, The Heretics is recommended as a starting point for new Rotting Christ listeners. A haunting blend of black metal and gothic elements, steeped in dark themes and evocative melodies. In 2019, Rotting Christ released The Heretics as their thirteenth studio album, following the acclaimed Rituals from 2016. This release showcases the band's continued evolution in sound and lyrical depth while maintaining their signature atmospheric intensity.

Who is The Heretics for?

The Heretics works well if you're into steady progression with climactic peaks, atmospheric tension throughout experience and exploration of existential themes.

How many songs are on The Heretics?

The Heretics has 10 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

The Heretics

Rotting Christ · 2019

43 min · 10 tracks · black metal

A haunting blend of black metal and gothic elements, steeped in dark themes and evocative melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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In the Name of God Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Heaven & Hell & Fire — This track encapsulates the album's thematic tension between light and darkness, featuring intricate guitar work that complements its lyrical exploration of existential duality.
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Fire, God and Fear — With its aggressive yet melodic structure, this song highlights the band's mastery of blending brutality with atmospheric elements, making it a standout representation of their style.
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The New Messiah — This track stands out for its provocative lyrics that challenge traditional beliefs, coupled with a driving rhythm that embodies the album’s overarching themes of rebellion and introspection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends black metal with gothic elements effectively, showcasing strong compositions and thematic depth.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate choral elements and orchestral arrangements, enhancing the gothic atmosphere.
The lyrics often explore themes of faith and existentialism, with shifts in vocal styles from harsh to clean across different songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady progression with climactic peaks
atmospheric tension throughout experience
exploration of existential themes
intense immersion for focused sessions

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer light-hearted listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued evolution and commercial reach in the band's later years.
Themes: religious rebellion· gothic darkness
Career context: In 2019, Rotting Christ released The Heretics as their thirteenth studio album, following the acclaimed Rituals from 2016. This release showcases the band's continued evolution in sound and lyrical depth while maintaining their signature atmospheric intensity.
Stylistic neighbors: Septicflesh· Dimmu Borgir· Behemoth