Guitarist RON MARKS: 'I'd Practically Swim To Switzerland To Be In CELTIC FROST Again'

Former CELTIC FROST guitarist Ron Marks, who is currently fronting his SUBSONIC project, has issued the following statement regarding his non-involvement in the upcoming FROST reunion album and tour:

"In light of recent announcements regarding CELTIC FROST's new release and upcoming live performances, I've received many inquiries asking why my name isn't on their roster. I've remained seemingly naive and uninformed when asked about the reunion but nothing's further from the truth. It's true that we'd met in New York City some years ago and discussed getting back together. Tom Fischer [CELTIC FROST mainman] and I were long passed any tensions from before and we told one another so. Things were feeling pretty positive and we shared some enthusiastic phone calls and emails for some months afterward. I also received a congratulatory email from journalist Malcolm Dome which stated that I would be part of the new 'classic' CELTIC FROST line-up. I phoned Tom to confirm this but was met with a chilly response. He said that Malcolm had misquoted him and they (who's 'they?') would have to see what they could offer me, etc. But this was a rather obvious smokescreen. Tom knew that I'd practically swim to Switzerland to be in CELTIC FROST again.

"Suddenly, none of my emails or phone calls were being returned. Several packages with handwritten letters and CDs of original material (we've always exchanged music) were mailed to Tom's home over a period of about a year or so. I told him I wanted to remain friends even if I wasn't in the band. But none of this received any acknowledgement. This was not only a professional exile but a personal one as well. Hey, if people don't want to work together that's fine. But to pretend someone no longer exists is cruel and humiliating from any angle. Finally, I was forced to admit that I was making a damned fool of myself and stopped.

"There's no question that CELTIC FROST put Ron Marks on the rock 'n' roll map and the band owes me not a single thing. Quite the opposite, in fact, and I would have been only too glad to commit my time and talents once again. Hell man, I'd have been happy to have played on a new track or two and maybe sit in on a few shows. It's not like I got out of music to go and be normal. I'm more dedicated and deeply involved in my career than ever. Anyway, the gig was never offered to me in any shape or form and that's why I'm not playing with CELTIC FROST. Good thing I founded SUBSONIC rather than waiting for the phone to ring. I can't help but think of how Reed St. Mark [former CELTIC FROST drummer] used to smile and say, 'That's show-biz.'"