Rotting Christ will perform a special 1989–1995 set at Maryland Deathfest 2026, returning to the formative era that helped define Hellenic black metal. In our short interview, Sakis Tolis looks back on the early days of extreme metal, the lasting power of “Non Serviam,” and the live spirit that has carried the band through nearly four decades and more than 2,000 shows worldwide.
When you return to the 1989–1995 era, do you feel pride, darkness, innocence, or pain most strongly — and what does that say about who Rotting Christ was becoming back then?
I feel like I’m back in the glorious days — as I like to call them — when everything returned to the big bang of extreme metal, in a different, more romantic world filled with more solidarity, a world I’m proud to be part of. We live in today, but our hearts belong to those days! Proudly part of the scene since day one!
Which song from that era feels the most powerful to resurrect now, and why does it still matter to you personally?
Hard to say, as I wrote all the music, but if you press me to choose, I’d say Non Serviam, because it’s more than a song… it’s a way of life!
As Rotting Christ enters another current chapter, what do those early years remind you about why the band started in the first place?
The band started playing its precious music with one goal: to perform live, even just once! Now, almost 38 years and more than 2,000 shows worldwide later, the goal remains the same… only the numbers have changed. Metal is our life, and we will serve it until the end!
See Rotting Christ perform their special 1989–1995 set at Maryland Deathfest 2026 on Friday, May 22 at Market Place. Tickets are now on sale at https://deathfests.com/tickets
