CELTIC FROST: New Material From A Fan's Perspective

Reunited Swiss "avant-garde" metallers CELTIC FROST, who have yet to announce a new record deal for a comeback album that they've been diligently working on for over three years, have reportedly been quietly rehearsing and recording with new drummer Franco Sesa since late 2003. A fan who attended a rehearsal session in early December 2004 has posted the following report on the band's official message board:

"I met Tom [Gabriel Fischer, guitar/vocals] not far from the rehearsal studio. On the way, he told me that they have thrown material worth for one album at least in the bin, too experimental in the band's eyes, they want to concentrate on the heavier stuff. Sounds wonderful! At the rehearsal room, I was introduced to Martin [Ain, bass, vocals] and Erol [Unala, guitar] and after a short chat, the new drummer arrived as well. His name is Franco Sesa, 34 years old, he joined FROST one year ago. He has definitely the skills to step up and fill in Reed's [St. Mark] or Stephen's [Priestly] place and he fits perfectly to rest of the band. I also would have liked Reed back on board, but I know he can't participate in the reunion, so Franco is the new drummer. Period.

"No vocals yet. The only songs which have vocals at the moment is the one you all know, 'Ground' and 'Transfixed', sung by Martin. Tom is going to work on lyrics/vocals in the next few weeks.

"The band was rehearsing two tracks, working titles are 'I Hold Death Like a Black Banner' and 'Ante Thronum'. Both songs, in the actual form, are quite similar. Both start with a slow riff, (short bass intro in 'I Hold Death…') followed up by a fast part, very 'Visual Aggression'-like (mainly for the drum parts),then slowing down again. Definitely some of the slowest and crunchiest stuff I have ever heard from FROST, ever!

"I was then given the opportunity to listen to four new songs, which were, at that time, only finished at 50 percent. No vocals, rough mixes, ideas not fully developed at some points, you got the point…

"'Os Abysmi vel Daalh': (hope the spelling is correct...): Good song, like it more than 'Ground', nice riffs, very Frost and very modern at the same time. This is the song I remember least; did it have an intro?

"'Catatonic State': Killer! Best track I listened to, cool mid-tempo groove, I felt like starting headbanging again; and… Timpanis! Even though the band keeps insisting that all the songs are far from being finished or are not sounding good enough, 'Catatonic State' works extremely well already.

"'Transfixed': No instruments, only Martin singing, backed up by a continuous sound in the same key and a 'cracked vinyl' sound effect. Poor stupid me, they have to tell me it's a cover! Immediately, the whole title ('Transfixed' is followed by two more words in parenthesis…shh, big secret!),the whole song, the whole idea makes sense. Martin, make it happen!

"'Blood Alone (Makes The World Keep Turning)': (not sure if the title is even randomly correct) Again mid-tempo, simple riffs, straight-forward. Tom doesn't like it and doesn't want this song to go on the album. But rest of the band still insists. The song is for now definitely lacking the groove, but has quite some potential. They agreed that Tom comes up with something at least twice as good. OK, fine with me…

"I remember three more working titles, but mainly because they're already known: 'November', 'Requiem (Part III)', 'Ground'. There are two or three more working titles on the list attached to the wall, but I don’t remember them, shame on me!

"And now for the difficult part: How does it sound? What are my impressions?
I will try to be objective; but I know that this is an unachievable goal. I think I just give it a try…

"First of all: We all know FROST, we will never get an album twice. So, don’t expect 'Apocalyptic Raids Part II', 'To Mega Therion Part II', 'Into the Pandemonium Part II', 'Morbid Tales Part II' or 'Vanity/Nemesis Part II'. (Thank God we will never get 'Cold Lake Part II' ;-),definitely! )

"If you listen to 'Ground' (mp3),you may get a glimpse of an idea how FROST sounds these days. Maybe 'incredibly heavy, dark and groovy' are the most appropriate words to describe the new songs. This is easily the heaviest stuff they did since 'To Mega Therion'! What springs to mind or to ears immediately are the tuned down guitars. But it’s far from being 'death metal' or something, that would be too easy of a description and wouldn't reflect the potential of the material. A lot of slow or mid-tempo stuff which fits them extremely well, CELTIC FROST in steamroller mood!

"The material sounds very dark, straight-forward riffing, punky attitude, very radical in my eyes. Even though all the songs are far from being finished, the quality of the material is already shimmering through. Try to imagine a blend of 'To Mega Therion', HELLHAMMER (seriously, no damn joke!),a bit of 'Into the Pendemonium' and a freight train. This doesn’t mean old-fashioned, it's back to the roots but very modern at the same time. Difficult to explain, but that's how I see it.

"The sound has evolved, that's what we all want and expect from CELTIC FROST. But is it a step forward or sidewards, or both at the same time? Let's wait and see. What I can say is: It is in no way a step backwards! I really enjoyed the music I heard [in early December] and am very excited to hear the definite versions of these songs and the whole new album! This is much more than a half-assed, '80s-thrash-metal-consolation-prize-reunion! This is serious, CELTIC FROST Anno Domini 2004!

"But I can hear the bitching and moaning already: 'Oh, this sucks, I would like to hear 'Into the Pandemonium Part II',' 'They sold out after 'Morbid Tales' anyway,' 'I only like 'Cold Lake',' etc. As I said, CELTIC FROST version 2004 is not CELTIC FROST version 1985 or version 1990, they evolved. (They improved, in my eyes). Let's be realistic, they can't satisfy everyone who likes or liked the band in the past.

"The album will be released next year or not at all. We had that situation already, let's just hope the music will see the light of day this time, it's worth the wait!
And to finish this post: It seems that a new contract will/may be signed in the next few weeks/months and they will work on some faster songs in the near future to get a good balance on the album.

"P.S.: CELTIC FROST was dead and buried. They released great albums which are and will stay personal favorites. That could have been the end of the story… Now they're back, and believe me, they’re alive and kicking! I consider everything that FROST will release from now on as bonus, as a gift from a great band to us, the fans."