Name: Into the Pandemonium
Brand: Celtic Frost

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

A 792997

Colour

Gold

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

included 32 page booklet and 2 posters

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2023-03-24

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

WEA /­ ADA

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

4050538792997

Total Cap

Gold LP

Artist

Celtic Frost

Genre US

Metal

Label US

Noise Records

Celtic Frost was formed in 1984 in Birchwil, Zurich, Switzerland by Tom G. Warrior and Martin Eric Ain. The band's sound evolved from proto-black metal to incorporating classical influences and avant-garde elements. Despite facing criticism for their album "Cold Lake", Celtic Frost continued to push boundaries with their music. After disbanding in 1992, the band resurrected in 2006 with a new lineup and released "Monotheist". However, Thomas G. Fischer announced his departure from the band in 2008, leading to the definite end of Celtic Frost.

Throughout their career, Celtic Frost had various members including Ron Marks, Oliver Amberg, Stephen Priestly, Reed St. Mark, Curt Victor Bryant, Erol Unala, Anders Odden among others. Their unique and ambitious style made them a prominent figure in the metal scene.

Despite their ups and downs over the years, Celtic Frost's influence on the genre remains undeniable. Their ability to constantly evolve and experiment with different musical styles set them apart from other bands of their time.

Having created what would remain an archetypal metal record in To Mega Therion, it seemed like Thomas Gabriel Warrior and his compatriots were after an exact repeat on first blush with Pandemonium. Armed with harrowing Bosch cover art and song titles like "Babylon Fell" and "Sorrows of the Moon," what else could be the result? With the first track, though, all bets were off, showing Warrior to be one of the least predictable folks around. The song? A nuclear-strength rip through Wall of Voodoo's West Coast new wave classic "Mexican Radio," with everything intact down to the nerdishly sung line about eating barbecued iguana. Hearing Warrior gasp and snarl his way through Stan Ridgway's shaggy dog tale is one of those not-to-be-believed-until-heard experiences. The next big change surfaces on "Mesmerized" — rather than again invoking Beelzebub in a harsh rasp, Warrior actually sings a weepy love lyric in a sad moan. Admittedly the beloved appears to be some ancient Roman priestess, but still, this is surprising (and effective) stuff, a singing approach he reuses throughout the album. "Rex Irae (Requiem)" is especially fine, a blending of operatic backing vocals, orchestrations, and just enough crunch when needed. Then there's "One in Their Pride," which exists on the album in two different forms — both of them drum machine-laden dub/industrial mixes. Running rampant throughout Pandemonium is the massive metal crunch and lyrics about death and destruction with which Celtic Frost made its name, so fans of earlier stuff won't feel too taken by surprise. "Inner Sanctum," detailing a wish to "forget in the sleep of death," is especially fine. But whether it's the strings and orgasmic female French lead singer — and nothing else — on "Tristesses de la Luna" or the brassy R&amp;B backing vocals on "I Won't Dance," Pandemonium is a record taking happy delight in trashing expectations to follow a stranger muse.

Into the Pandemonium

Music US