Review Summary: Of an age we understand
Solo side projects are an opportunity to hear what a musician is really thinking, unfiltered from other band members and a true representation of one’s self. Whether it’s a genuine side project like those ventured by Serena Cherry and Matt Heafy dabbling in themed black metal with their respective (intriguing) Noctule and Ibaraki projects, or a rising from the embers of a defunct or disputed band as has been the case with Gaahls Wyrd, Abbath and Ihsahn, the doors are flung open on ideas and individuality. Not that Sakis Tolis strays too far musically from the recent Rotting Christ records with his new solo release “Everything Come to an End”. And why would he? “The Heretics” and “Pro Xristou” are gothic black metal masterclasses, epic and melodic but understated all the same. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly Tolis has managed to weave these virtues into “Everything Come to an End” with the individuality coming in the shape of simpler and catchier songs.
Lead track and single “Orkizome” (“I swear”) booms out of the gates with arpeggios morphing into power chords to lay the foundations for Tolis’ real inspiration on the record - imparting his wisdom both candid and unironic, as the true calling of this record. Insights like “men brave and generous live the best lives“ in “Yggdrasil” from last year’s “Pro Xristou” are further and more explicitly explored in this album with songs like “In Youth
We Learn, In Age We Understand”. Tolis’ lyrical candour runs parallel with the flowing stream of the guitars, Tolis seemingly having an everyflowing stream of melodies that are so easy to enjoy.
Whilst Tolis is obviously the chief architect of the project with songwriting and the lion’s share of playing credits, the other notable contributor is the multi talented Fotis Benardo who mixed, mastered and co-engineered the record, in addition to laying down the drums, all in their Athens hq. Benardo’s toms gives “One Voice, One Flame” a regal entrance before alternating with the staccato rhythm and misty choral harmonies in another linear but luxe composition.
Hellenic black metal was created almost exclusively by the Tolis brothers, and has been cast through a lifetime of Rotting Christ releases with the genesis of metal celebrated in “Hail Thy Mighty Rock N’ Roll”. This cut a bit cute but assumes a place amongst these heartfelt tracks. The key to unlocking every song on “Everything… “ is a hook, and Tolis undoubtedly has a knack for a hook. Another trademark is a spoken work intro in his thick Greek accent and in the case of “Welcome My Nightmare”, a humming of the dark melody ahead of the guitars delivery. The song pairs with “Welcome To My Party”, with Tolis rocking in his element, almost coasting at this point. This is to say it’s a comfortable record and you feel the good vibes carry through in “Imagination”, more evidence the album was created for fun with no strings attached. But almost inevitably, the mist returns for the closer title track centering on a relationship breakdown that is not unexpected and not feared. Tolis fears nothing - as this December 2025 account testifies and amplifies.
