22 November 2023
Born from the ashes in 2001 after eight years, Celtic Frost’s album Monotheist, released 16 years after Vanity/Nemesis, is an album that I could hardly write because of my doubts about how to deal with. If one should name a Swiss rock/metal band other than Celtic Frost, the first bunch of bands that come to mind would be Coroner, Samael, Gotthard or Krokus. It is possible to say that Samael, which started out as an ordinary black metal band, broke new ground with its musical identity dominated by keyboardist Xytras, his wonderful compositions and the image of an extreme metal band playing without a drummer on stage. The main features of the other two are undoubtedly their long careers and quality music. Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Celtic Frost is Switzerland’s greatest gift to heavy music.
When Celtic Frost first came out with the name Hellhammer, they were scorned by the music press just like Venom and Bathory, their value was realised in time, and then they sent the ball to 90 with a masterpiece like To Mega Therion. I think it is enough to consider the Hellhammer t-shirts that the second wave black metal people often prefer to wear in order to understand how much respect had Warrior and Ain gained.
Celtic Frost had been defined as thrash/death/black metal since the years they came out. The people in media sometimes defined the band’s music as avantgarde metal. Personally, I think that the dark metal description used for their Swiss compatriot, the late Alastis, would be more appropriate for Celtic Frost. As a listener stuck to Celtic Frost’s first EP and album, I am not very familiar with the interim period until Monotheist. However, I can easily describe this album as the last link in the evolution of dark music.
When the album was first released, it was written and drawn in many places that CF is now making gothic/doom metal. I don’t agree with that, at least I can say that calling this music gothic metal would be like calling The Beatles hard rock. I can say that this is one of the most tar black albums I have ever listened to in my life.
Since Tom and Martin wanted to act completely independently, they released this album through their own label, which they had established in the past to press Hellhammer products, and signed with Century Media for international distribution. Erol Unala, Tom’s collaborator in the industrial project Apollyon Sun, and their new drummer Franco Sesa were also actively involved in the creation of the album. Peter Tagtgren supported them as assistant engineer. Important names such as Ravn (1349) and Satyr also provided support as guest musicians
The album progresses in a very chaotic, bumpy traffic. The darkness that envelops all the tracks like a shroud does not let the listener see the light until the end of the album. The songs Drown in Ashes with supporting vocals by Lisa from Xandria and Obscured with the contribution of a female vocalist named Simone Vollenweider are the strangest moments of the album. Martin and Tom said that they were inspired by Aleister Crowley in terms of lyrics. Os Abysmi Vel Daath is one of them. It is a different piece supported by soprano vocals.
The album opens with a harsh track Progeny, continues with the exquisite song Ground, which is engraved in your head with the line “Oh God, why have you forsaken me?” which Tom repeats over and over again, and the third track of the album is A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh, which has the only music video.The most transcendent moment of Monotheist is Triptych, which is a combination of the last 3 songs. Just before Triptych, there is Ain Elohim, one of the 2 most important hits of the album. The track, which takes your mind with its wonderful chorus, also contains the verse in which the message to be given throughout the album is written in the clearest way: There is no God but the one that dies with me. This is not a concept album, but since they attach great importance to the lyrics, they have added explanations under each song. I can say that it is a full album lyrically. If you listen to what they want to tell, I am sure your listening pleasure will increase.
Let’s come to the part called Triptych. It starts with a semi song/semi speech track called Totengott. They also used this piece as an intro during their Wacken performance. The voice belongs to Martin and it freezes your blood. I think there should be an age limit for listening to this song. Synagoga Satanae is the 2nd hit of the album. With its 14 plus minutes duration, a marvellous song. Peter Tagtgren on backing vocals supported with his screams in the breakdown part of ‘Rise Synagoga Satanae, Lies Lucifuge Rofocale’. Especially this transition part is creeping. Drummer Franco Sesa’s competency is most evident in this track. I recommend you to pay attention to him especially in live recordings. The closing track Winter is a completely symphonic work composed by Tom Warrior. It is a really classy closing track.
Normally I wouldn’t write the album track-by-track, but believe me, all the songs of this album deserve a few words. Monotheist is real gem that will be recognised as a classic years later. I invite you to the unique darkness of Tom and Martin.
I bring no God, no after world.
I am no more than a lie.
I live your life not for you.
I am a throne made from dust.
10/10
