Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost was an influential metal band from Zurich, Switzerland. They a… Read Full Bio ↴Celtic Frost was an influential metal band from Zurich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal and gothic metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again.
Celtic Frost's frontman, guitarist and singer Tom Gabriel Fischer, adopted the alias Tom Warrior. With Steve Warrior on bass, he formed one of the earliest extreme metal bands, Hellhammer, in 1982. Steve Warrior was later replaced by Martin Eric Ain - also a pseudonym. The band attracted a small international fan-base, got signed to Noise Records in Germany and recorded their debut EP "Apocalyptic Raids" in March 1984, now a rare finding on e-Bay or second hand record stores around the world.
By May 1984, Hellhammer had disbanded. Fischer and Ain, along with session drummer Stephen Priestly, regrouped as Celtic Frost. Their 1984 debut LP, Morbid Tales was a hit on the underground metal scene, and the band set out on its first tour, through Germany and Austria. This was followed with an EP “Emperor's Return”. Both early releases are now available on one CD. One of their more influential recordings was 1985's "To Mega Therion", followed in 1987 by "Into the Pandemonium". These albums were some of the pivotal LPs for underground metal and inducted a new and more varied sound. Celtic Frost, along with Venom and Bathory were pioneers in the still underground black metal scene, although Celtic Frost were much more experimental with the addition of classical instruments, opera vocals and sampling. They were given the new title of avant-garde metal.
After a subsequent North American tour (which saw the addition of a second guitarist, Ron Marks to the groups ranks), financial trouble, personal tension between the band members and an ill-fated relationship with their record label led to a complete dissolution of the band. Six months later, Warrior decided to reform the band with Stephen Priestly back on drums, Oliver Amberg on guitars and Curt Victor Bryant on bass. The resulting album "Cold Lake" was a disappointment to most of the group's established fan-base but achieved notable success in the North American market. Bryant fired Amberg and former live guitarist Ron Marks returned as a guest for the recording of "Vanity / Nemesis" in 1990. The most significant change, however, was the return of early bassist Martin Eric Ain. But Celtic Frost's reputation did not fully recover. The group’s next (and, as it would turn out, last for several years) album was a collection of rare and unreleased recordings called "Parched With Thirst Am I and Dying" in 1992. The compilation's title was inspired by an old Roman prayer. It featured unreleased material, re-recorded versions of older songs and some studio session versions, closing the chapter on one of the most important underground and experimental bands of all time.
A final album titled “Under Apollyon's Sun” never eventuated under that title, although Fischer co-founded a new group called Apollyon Sun. Celtic Frost were disbanded in 1993.
In late 2001, Fischer and Ain began to write music together again, along with Unala on guitar and, from late 2002, experienced Swiss drummer Franco Sesa (also known within the group as the Inverted Cross). The aim was to develop and record a new, very dark and heavy album. The completion of the project took far longer than anticipated (in part due to the DIY nature of the project and the project’s financing) but finally resulted, in late 2005, in what Fischer and Ain describe as “perhaps the darkest album Celtic Frost have ever recorded”, based on a combination of the musical aura of "To Mega Therion" and "Into the Pandemonium".
The newest and seventh Celtic Frost album was financed by the group itself through its own imprint, “Prowling Death Records”, and publishing imprint, “Diktatur des Kapitals”. Prowling Death Records originally was the self-founded underground label which released the Hellhammer demos and managed Hellhammer’s career in 1983 and 1984. The album was produced by Celtic Frost with Peter Tägtgren (of Bloodbath/Hypocrisy/Pain fame) and mixed by Fischer and Ain. Celtic Frost and Prowling Death Records subsequently entered into a worldwide licensing deal with Century Media Records. The album, titled "Monotheist", was released on May 30th, 2006.
On May 29, 2006, Celtic Frost embarked on the most extensive tour of the band’s career, the “Monotheist Tour”, initially headlining festivals (e.g. the Wacken Open Air festival, in front of an audience of 50,000) across Europe the United States and Canada in 2006, and the group’s first ever shows in Japan in January 2007. In early 2007 the European leg of the tour took place and a return to the United States as a special guest to Type O Negative. Further festival appearances and concerts followed in mid-2007.
Fischer tendered his resignation from Celtic Frost on April 9th, 2008, with this message displayed on the band's official website:
”Celtic Frost singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer has left Celtic Frost due to the irresolvable, severe erosion of the personal basis so urgently required to collaborate within a band so unique, volatile, and ambitious.”
Bassist Ain stated that the band “is still alive, albeit in a coma of sorts.” He went on further to say that the remainder of the band is “not going to continue recording or touring,” saying this “would be preposterous” without Fischer. Fischer has himself gone on to form a new band called Triptykon, featuring Celtic Frost touring guitarist V Santura, original Celtic Frost drummer Reed St. Mark, as well as bassist Vanja Slay. Fischer has also said that his new band will sound similar to the direction Celtic Frost took on their 2006 album, "Monotheist".
Celtic Frost's frontman, guitarist and singer Tom Gabriel Fischer, adopted the alias Tom Warrior. With Steve Warrior on bass, he formed one of the earliest extreme metal bands, Hellhammer, in 1982. Steve Warrior was later replaced by Martin Eric Ain - also a pseudonym. The band attracted a small international fan-base, got signed to Noise Records in Germany and recorded their debut EP "Apocalyptic Raids" in March 1984, now a rare finding on e-Bay or second hand record stores around the world.
By May 1984, Hellhammer had disbanded. Fischer and Ain, along with session drummer Stephen Priestly, regrouped as Celtic Frost. Their 1984 debut LP, Morbid Tales was a hit on the underground metal scene, and the band set out on its first tour, through Germany and Austria. This was followed with an EP “Emperor's Return”. Both early releases are now available on one CD. One of their more influential recordings was 1985's "To Mega Therion", followed in 1987 by "Into the Pandemonium". These albums were some of the pivotal LPs for underground metal and inducted a new and more varied sound. Celtic Frost, along with Venom and Bathory were pioneers in the still underground black metal scene, although Celtic Frost were much more experimental with the addition of classical instruments, opera vocals and sampling. They were given the new title of avant-garde metal.
After a subsequent North American tour (which saw the addition of a second guitarist, Ron Marks to the groups ranks), financial trouble, personal tension between the band members and an ill-fated relationship with their record label led to a complete dissolution of the band. Six months later, Warrior decided to reform the band with Stephen Priestly back on drums, Oliver Amberg on guitars and Curt Victor Bryant on bass. The resulting album "Cold Lake" was a disappointment to most of the group's established fan-base but achieved notable success in the North American market. Bryant fired Amberg and former live guitarist Ron Marks returned as a guest for the recording of "Vanity / Nemesis" in 1990. The most significant change, however, was the return of early bassist Martin Eric Ain. But Celtic Frost's reputation did not fully recover. The group’s next (and, as it would turn out, last for several years) album was a collection of rare and unreleased recordings called "Parched With Thirst Am I and Dying" in 1992. The compilation's title was inspired by an old Roman prayer. It featured unreleased material, re-recorded versions of older songs and some studio session versions, closing the chapter on one of the most important underground and experimental bands of all time.
A final album titled “Under Apollyon's Sun” never eventuated under that title, although Fischer co-founded a new group called Apollyon Sun. Celtic Frost were disbanded in 1993.
In late 2001, Fischer and Ain began to write music together again, along with Unala on guitar and, from late 2002, experienced Swiss drummer Franco Sesa (also known within the group as the Inverted Cross). The aim was to develop and record a new, very dark and heavy album. The completion of the project took far longer than anticipated (in part due to the DIY nature of the project and the project’s financing) but finally resulted, in late 2005, in what Fischer and Ain describe as “perhaps the darkest album Celtic Frost have ever recorded”, based on a combination of the musical aura of "To Mega Therion" and "Into the Pandemonium".
The newest and seventh Celtic Frost album was financed by the group itself through its own imprint, “Prowling Death Records”, and publishing imprint, “Diktatur des Kapitals”. Prowling Death Records originally was the self-founded underground label which released the Hellhammer demos and managed Hellhammer’s career in 1983 and 1984. The album was produced by Celtic Frost with Peter Tägtgren (of Bloodbath/Hypocrisy/Pain fame) and mixed by Fischer and Ain. Celtic Frost and Prowling Death Records subsequently entered into a worldwide licensing deal with Century Media Records. The album, titled "Monotheist", was released on May 30th, 2006.
On May 29, 2006, Celtic Frost embarked on the most extensive tour of the band’s career, the “Monotheist Tour”, initially headlining festivals (e.g. the Wacken Open Air festival, in front of an audience of 50,000) across Europe the United States and Canada in 2006, and the group’s first ever shows in Japan in January 2007. In early 2007 the European leg of the tour took place and a return to the United States as a special guest to Type O Negative. Further festival appearances and concerts followed in mid-2007.
Fischer tendered his resignation from Celtic Frost on April 9th, 2008, with this message displayed on the band's official website:
”Celtic Frost singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer has left Celtic Frost due to the irresolvable, severe erosion of the personal basis so urgently required to collaborate within a band so unique, volatile, and ambitious.”
Bassist Ain stated that the band “is still alive, albeit in a coma of sorts.” He went on further to say that the remainder of the band is “not going to continue recording or touring,” saying this “would be preposterous” without Fischer. Fischer has himself gone on to form a new band called Triptykon, featuring Celtic Frost touring guitarist V Santura, original Celtic Frost drummer Reed St. Mark, as well as bassist Vanja Slay. Fischer has also said that his new band will sound similar to the direction Celtic Frost took on their 2006 album, "Monotheist".
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Celtic Frost Lyrics
(Beyond the) North Winds On days of northern wind, past illusions surround my dreams …
01 Mexican Radio I feel a hot wind on my shoulder And the touch…
03 Inner Sanctum Sleep brings no joy to me Remembrance never dies My soul i…
A Descent to Babylon Babylon asleep, an everlasting foe Striving to hurt, for fl…
A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh All is cold and frozen Frozen the sea, frozen the sky Frozen…
A Kiss or a Whisper By masquerade of sleep madness ever lures Resting soul's reb…
Ain Elohim Lay thy hand on the neck of thine enemies. Devour their…
Babylon Fell Babylon asleep, an everlasting foe Striving to hurt, for fl…
Caress Into Oblivion Is it addiction to prevail Or mute marble words My heart. co…
Cherry Orchards Dancing violet dreams. Joining nights of satin fame. Acting …
Circle of the Tyrants After the battle is over And the sands drunken the blood All…
Dawn of Meggido Humilated in human form We have to die to be reborn Awaiting…
Dawn of Megiddo Humiliated in human form We have to die to be reborn Awaitin…
Descent To Babylon Babylon asleep, an everlasting foe Striving to hurt, for fle…
Dethroned Emperor See the portal, gate to madness Locked forever in a veil…
Domain Of Decay Within these darkest walls. As I write these lines. In this …
Downtown Hanoi Four arc lights. Moving stealth. Two ride up north. Into the…
Drown In Ashes I drown in ashes you've enshrined. Of blissful days long gon…
Eternal Summer The pyramids tremble, darken the sun, (the) sky tums red The…
Fainted Eyes Try to see through fainted views As reality disappears in ha…
Ground I am hatred, seeping blood. The rain, the flood, the grief. …
Heroes I, I wish you could swim Like the dolphins Like dolphins can…
Human (intro) [Instrumental]…
I Won I did taste their only dream As denial was still unborn Secr…
Idols of Chagrin What kind of race, lack of direction Just how lunatic, to…
In The Chapel In The Monlight How I'd love to hear the organ In the chapel, in…
Inner Sanctum Sleep brings no joy to me Remembrance never dies My soul is…
Innocence and Wrath [Instrumental]…
Into the Crypts of Rays Years of plead, behind the walls Chambers and vaults, scenes…
Into The Trypis Of Rays My life turns into sand Immortality is my dream Man shall fo…
Jewel Throne Once prayed to my gods, searching for the whistled memories …
Juices Like Wine Thirst and desire, to rule the light For crossing heavens, a…
Mesmerized You, who like the moon at night Haunted my mortal heart…
Mexican Radio I feel a hot wind on my shoulder And the touch…
Morbid Tales By burial this night Nitocrys weaves the spell Down the vaul…
Necromantical Screams Necromantical screams Only you are deaf Is there life beyond…
Nemesis Heaven and shores Beneath the death of the sun Suffering at …
Nocturnal Fear Obscurity hides the plateau Stars darkened at their place Na…
North Winds On days of northern wind, (past) illusions surround my dream…
Obscured Somewhere inside. It's still obscured. Darkness reflects. St…
Os Abysmi Vel Daath A pallid sun sheds dimmest glow. On mute and pallid soil. I…
Phallic Tantrum No more Harassed Hearts Primeval wings of solitude The cross…
Procreation You are blind, deny the sun and light Whose are the…
Procreation (of the Wicked) You are blind - Deny the sun and light Whose are…
Procreation Of The Wicked You are blind Deny the sun and light Whose are the objection…
Progeny I am you Stillborn Into this state of being numb I am the…
Restless Seas Traces of dew, eyes in disbelief Did we persist in misery…
Return to the Eve Dreaming eyes Hope to return As shadows fall onto Distorted …
Rex Irae You ...... have joined your father's feast Those who saw: Es…
Seduce Me Tonight Check this out You You killed me again You just shot at me K…
Sorrows of the Moon This evening the moon dreams more lazily As some fair woman,…
Suicidal Winds Listen As the mist is rising And uncovers all that's lost Tr…
Synagoga Satanae Internalized conflict externalized as war. Hymning thy rebe…
Tears in a Prophet's Dream [Instrumental]…
Temple of Depression Why am I cold, so devoid? And why do I feel…
The Heart Beneath Heaven carries not What the soul would reap Growth of decept…
The Inevitable Factor I stalk alone the burried seas Dead and white, weak memories…
The Name of My Bride Burning in a hell made of my own Looking for the…
The Restless Seas Traces of dew, eyes in disbelief Did we persist in misery…
The Usurper Lend me your steel-bearing hand So I may reign the Jewel…
This Island Earth Furious the exodus walks Along the maddening march of death …
Totengott I have never heard his voice nor have I ever…
Triptych: Synagoga Satanae Internalized conflict externalized as war. Hymning thy rebe…
Triptych: Totengott I have never heard his voice nor have I ever…
Tristesses De La Lune Ce soir la Lune rêve avec plus de paresse Ainsi qu'une…
Under Apollyon's Sun The face of Nemesis Under pandemonium's heat Parched my year…
Vanity Deep within my bleeding heart Stranded by the hold of fear A…
Visions of Mortality My life turns into sand Immortality is my dream Man shall fo…
Visual Aggression Thousand decades in vain (Again) they strive for final compl…
Wine in My Hand They're sleeping through the ages Faces bare of names Reme…
Wine in My Hand (Third From the Sun) They're sleeping through the ages Faces bare of names Rememb…
Wings of Solitude I'm sensing the paleness of lies No rest to caress their…