CELTIC FROST Bassist Says 'Monotheist' Could Have Been 'Heavier And Darker'

Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with CELTIC FROST bassist Martin Eric Ain. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Metal-Rules.com: We featured an interview with Tom [Fischer] back in the spring and he said, "We cannot possibly continue if everyone thinks CELTIC FROST is superfluous in today's world." Now with the album being out for several months how has the reaction from fans and press been?

Martin: Generally speaking, it has been really amazing. It's been more than what we would've expected. We got some really strong and really intense responses from people that got really touched by the music that we created, by this new album. For us, this is very much a compliment. Something that we very much cherish. As I said before, it's more than we expected.

Metal-Rules.com: [Does] this mean that there will be another CELTIC FROST album?

Martin: Yes. I mean, definitely. Already before we had this album finished, we had to decide at one point to let this go. This entity is what it is and we're not going to let it rest, we could continue for another 10 years, but I still think it could have been heavier and darker. We already realized that ourselves when we were finished with the recording. A song like 'Totengott' was added basically at the last minute. We were still bristling with ideas and we still do so right now. It won't take four years for the next follow-up. My guess, an educated guess but it's still a guess, because being 39 if there's one thing I learnt, that I am not Nostradamus and I can't predict the future. So I think the next record will come quite fast and will be heavier but we'll have to see.

Metal-Rules.com: Have you been happy with the way Century Media has been getting behind the group and new album?

Martin: Absolutely. Century Media has been doing a great job, an excellent job. I think we really got lucky that we have them as a licensing partner. So far no complaints, of course there has been minor things, but you have to realize that you are working with this large corporation. They are still independent, but they are a worldwide corporation, so you will have minor communication problems, and all around the world you can never get everything into place. It's been the best experience I've ever had in this business so far, and there are a lot of great people working at Century Media. A lot of great people that have put a lot of effort into getting this album promoted and getting CELTIC FROST to where we are right now. I'm really happy and thankful. I'm really sorry only to have to give you positives now (laughs). Maybe you would like to have some nitty gritty?

Metal-Rules.com: Were you nervous about taking the stage again with CELTIC FROST after so many years?

Martin: Not after. Beforehand I was nervous. Now I think we're getting better and better, and tighter and tighter, and more to the point, and realizing more what this is about. Just like we did when we started working on the album. Of course, I was what you might say focused and nervous about playing those monster festivals that we've never played before. I didn't know what to expect. Having done that, I have to say it was a great experience. Definitely worthwhile, something that made everything we've been doing over the last couple of years worthwhile and I'm really thankful that we were able to do so. That we were graced with so much interest after such a long time. I think this is not something one can take for granted. Neither is doing a 47-date tour of North America. Definitely something we are looking forward to and we are focused on.

Read the entire interview at Metal-Rules.com.