The influential and innovative Celtic Frost,
who have lain dormant for 13 years, have now returned with Monotheist, an album that has been in production
since 2000. The album, excellently produced by Peter Tagtren
(Hypocrisy, Bloodbath) and Celtic Frost, is sure to be a highlight
for metal in 2006. Layers of droning guitars and distortion
fill the doom metal riffs, along with experimental, goth-oriented
passages. Monotheist is beautifully evil and heavy,
displaying why Celtic Frost are held up on such a high pedestal.
The opening tracks, "Progeny" and "Ground," are drudging and
memorable death/doom metal. "Dying Into Human Flesh" is perfect
combination of goth and black metal, paving the way for the
song's awesome, violent ending. Lead vocalist Tom Gabriel
Fischer drifts from a black metal rasp to a goth monotone
that obviously has influenced Marilyn Manson. "Drown In Ashes"
features beautiful female backing vocals, while Fischer, speaking
his dark lyrics, sounds menacing without putting forth half
of the effort of other bands who try to pull off something
similar. Female backing vocals are found in many parts of
this 11 song outing, and the more gloom-and-doom-oriented
material sees Fischer almost sounding like Lee Dorian of Cathedral.
Elements of industrial, goth, black, doom and even new wave
can be heard in this superior mix. The album slows up midway
for "Os Abysmi Vel Daath" and "Obscured," both long but inspiring
slabs of perfected doom. "Domain Of Decay" picks the pace
back up with menacing distorted riffs and excellent soloing,
while "Ain Elohim" borders on black metal with an evil, chanting,
if indecipherable chorus. The epic "Synagoga Satanae"
clocks in at 14:24 and Celtic Frost somehow manage to keep
it interesting for the duration. It should take hours of listening
to take in everything packed into these songs.
Is Monotheist for every metal fan? Probably not,
as Celtic Frost at times border on "thinking man's metal."
It is a diverse effort that within a few minutes time often
bounces from the brutal and extreme to something totally different
that is not even metal. Filled with so much thought and experimentation,
the record is probably at its best when taken in as a whole. Monotheist is yet another highly innovative recording
for Celtic Frost, who have been praised by everyone from Dave
Grohl of Foo Fighters to Mike Akerfeldt of Opeth. With Montheist,
the praise will surely continue. Metal welcomes back Celtic
Frost.
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