Celtic Frost: MonotheistCeltic Frost Delivers:
A Review of Monotheist
Patrick Sullivan
Black Oak Presents
Winter 2007

Celtic Frost's latest album Monotheist cannot be truly appreciated after a single listen. Like Most of Celtic Frost's work, a new meaning and a new experience can be taken with each listen. Since the groups last effort, 1990's "Vanity/Nemesis," The core duo of Thomas Gabriel Fischer (Vocals/Guitars) and Martin Ain (Bass/Vocals) seem to be much more comfortable in their own skin and what their vision of Celtic Frost is.

Tom and Martin, along with new drummer Franco Sesa and new guitarist Erol Unala, spent over four years perfecting their latest work after a decade-long breakup. The pressure of recording and touring eventually claimed Unala shortly after the album’s completion and he left the group, but the album took its toll on the band members’ personal lives.

Emotions are highly charged throughout, which immediately answers any questions of motive for this "comeback" album. Unlike the group’s earlier works, Monotheist takes a much more doomy and minimalist approach compared to earlier albums such as Morbid Tales and To Mega Therion. The material requires more room to breathe and project the starkness of its emotions. The songs also carry a very ambient and at times ethereal quality. This does not mean that this isn't a "Celtic Frost" record or lacks black-metal influences.

There is a nice mix of aggressive and inventive tunes ("Domain of Decay", "Progeny") and a wealth of more avant-garde material incorporating many musical influences such as classical ("Winter-Requiem"), goth ("Drown in Ashes"), and middle-eastern ("Incantation Against").  Production duties on the album were handled by the band along with Peter Tagtgren (Hypocrisy Pain) and it adds another dimension to the sound, which I would describe as a "cold clarity" that helps to give the material a unique life of its own.

A "cold clarity" is also a good way to describe the lyrics and subject matter behind the album. Celtic Frost's lyrics have always focused on the dark side of life, love, religion, etc. but have at times been somewhat flat and redundant. Monotheist conveys a more personal understanding of humanity as seen by both Tom and Martin. This is the album's greatest achievement― it's willingness to lay it all on the table.

Most groups would crumble under the expectation to make another “Into The Pandemonium,” but Celtic Frost have weathered that storm too many times to be afraid of that. This is a thoroughly mature, precise, and intricate album. This is a band hitting their stride again.

Patrick Sullivan is fidgety, thinks too much, and can never relax. He lives on Chicago's north side and enjoys ice cream.  Sometimes he writes music reviews for Black Oak Presents.

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