by Ed Rivadavia

After two promising albums, Rotting Christ hit the bull's-eye with Triarchy of the Lost Lovers, their third international release, and first for Century Media Records. Pedal to the metal thrashing is virtually gone here (except for the exceptional concert favorite "Archon"), replaced by midtempo, chugging riffs perfectly married to the band's trademark guitar harmonies. His menacing growl still intact, vocalist/guitarist and songwriter Sakis Tolis establishes this newfound balance from the get-go with the outstanding "King of a Stellar War," maintains the pace throughout, and culminates with "Diastric Alchemy," featuring a melody so huge that it serves as the chorus. Definitely one of the most unique and consistent extreme metal albums of the '90s.