Celtic Frost - Monotheist

Century Media 2006

1. Progeny
2. Ground
3. A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh
4. Drown in Ashes
5. Os Abysmi vel Daath
6. Temple of Depression*
7. Obscured
8. Domain of Decay
9. Ain Elohim
10.
Triptych I. Totengott
11.
Triptych II. Synagoga Satanae
12.
Triptych III. Winter (Requiem, Chapter Three: Finale)
*Bonus track in limited edition digipack

R.T. 01:13:23
Celtic Frost are much more than a simple band, in the passing
of time they reached cult status and even they become true
legends. Actually I cant think of another band since Black Sabbath
to have that kind of influence in so many different between them
bands. They not only had a major contribution in the shaping of
black, death and thrash scene but also influenced many (at least the
extreme ones) progressive, doom and industrial metal bands. The
band initially broke up in early 90s and since the rumor/wishful
thinking of their reunion was an often feature in every metal
magazine. Finally thing start to move in early 00s and after a long
period of work Monotheist was released in 2006. Normally a
release by Celtic Frost wouldnt end up reviewed in Doom-Metal.com
since they are not a doom metal band but their comeback was a
true doom metal album that could teach to many doom/death some
things.
The album opens with Progeny a harsh song dominated by
repetitive riffs and a very cold feel. The same recipe is used in
Ground only that now the band starts to build on feelings like
despair, anguish and fear, feelings that are intensified in A Dying
God Coming Into Human Flesh, the band also made a video of this
song. A more relaxing song that loses nothing in gloom and
darkness is Drown In Ashes, also Peter Tagtgren who co-produced
the album with the band has a contribution in guitars here. One of
the finest moments in the album is Os Abysmi Vel Daath that
follows. In my copy the next song is a bonus track the more
black/industrial Temple Of Depression in which Ravn from the
black metal band 1349 has a contribution in vocals, in my opinion it
doesnt work well with the album and somehow it corrupts the
continuity of the album. A great surprise comes with Obscure, a
simpler in structure and more melodic song that brings me in mind

some of the darkest songs in Nick Caves Murder Ballads album.

The album continues with Domain Of Decay, a thicker sounding
song that helps to a smooth transition to Ain Elohim a very
aggressive, wrathful and menacing sounding song. The album ends
with a three part opus called Triptych. The first part Triptych I:
Tottengott is a very atmospheric avant-garde/ambient song with
creepy whispering vocals. Part two Triptych II: Synagoga Satanae
is a monument of twisted madness that is helped by the vocal
contribution of Satyr from the balck metal band Satyricon. The
album ends with Triptych III: Winter (Requiem, Chapter Three:
Finale) a cello driven, symphonic piece that concludes perfectly a
perfect album.
In conclusion I consider this to be the best doom metal album
of the decade so do yourself a favour and listen to it.