The first new Celtic Frost album since 'Vanity/Nemesis' in 1990 has been five years in the making, somewhat longer than Fischer and Ain had originally anticipated when they reconvened in late 2001. The blueprint was to make "the darkest album Celtic Frost has ever recorded" and with 'Monotheist' this is precisely what they have achieved. 

As you would expect on first hearing this is not an easy album to listen to and appreciate but those with the necessary patience and perseverance will ultimately be rewarded. This is an album that gets appreciably better with each successive listen. 'Progeny' sets the mood; a relentless and brutal sonic assault on the senses that doesn't let up for an instant. Delivered at a quicker pace than the rest of the songs here it leads into the grinding riffing of 'Ground'. This is followed by one of the real highlights of the album, 'A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh' and from the title it's pretty apparent that the lyrics are not going to be a barrel of laughs. To call them bleak, dark and gloomy would be an understatement and this is the same across the entire album. 

Always on the cutting edge of the experimental and avant-garde Celtic Frost continue to explore new ground with 'Monotheist'. Female gothic-style vocals are used to complement Fischer's on 'Drown In Ashes' and 'Obscured'. The fourteen minute epic 'Synagoga Satanae' includes the use of a choir although the ambient  pieces that bookend it are perhaps a little unnecessary. 

Anyone who enjoyed Trivium's 'Ascendancy' last year would do well to check out 'Monotheist' and listen to a band that can truly be described as innovative.  Celtic Frost will be playing various festivals throughout Europe during the summer and a tour of North America is planned. 

The Godfathers of doom and death metal are back with their best album since 'Into The Pandemonium' and let's just hope they don't keep us waiting 16 years for the next one. This is one album you will still be listening to for years to come.  Highly Recommended

Let us know your views on 'Monotheist'

Track List

Progeny
Ground
Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh
Drown In Ashes
Os Abysmi Vel Daath
Temple Of Depression
Obscured
Domain Of Decay
Ain Elohim
Totengott
Synagoga Satanae
Winter

Line Up

Tom Gabriel Fischer - Vocals/Guitars
Martin Eric Ain - Bass
Erol Unala - Guitars
Franco Sesa - Drums