Customer Reviews
Celtic Frost Fan Forever
Now this CD is not what I would consider a BEST OF but it does have some of their more popular songs like 'Circle Of Tyrants' and 'Return To The Eve' to name a few, but what I really enjoyed was the jam sessions and the songs that were cut from the CD's that they had released. I've been a Celtic Frost fan ever since I heard the 'Morbid Tales' and I've been through all of their CD's and I compliment them on the subtle changes in their style of music, and I really think that it is best shown on this particular CD. I own ever Celtic Frost CD that they have released and I constantly listen to them. I love Thomas G Warrior's voice and I love the music that Celtic Frost creates.
Why does everyone think this is a 'Greatest Hits' CD?
5 STARS. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . I first have to say that NOWHERE on the CD jacket, the booklet or the CD itself does it say "Greats Hits" or "Best of. " This CD, compiled in 1991-92, is a release much like Helmet's "Born Annoying" and Metallica's "Garage Days Re-revisited," in that it is a mish-mash compilation of Celtic Frost's many unreleased recording sessions from '85-91, with many different line-ups, the songs most of which ended up as B-sides, outtakes, and general jam sessions. Hardly any of the tracks were released on any of their CD's! Don't listen to reviewers who write reviews before they even read the booklet enclosed !!!!
The best songs on the compilation, in my opinion, are the old songs. "Return to the Eve," (originally on 'Morbid Tales') is re-recorded here with sensational new drummer Reed St. Mark. It was released as the "Party Mix" on the backside of the 'Tragic Serenades' EP (1986). "The Usurper" (originally on 'Mega Therion') was re-recorded here when Martin Ain came back to the band on bass, and you can hear the difference. "Journey Into Fear" was supposed to be included on the 'Emperor's Return' EP, but was cut for whatever reason. It's a great song, and would have fit in well with that mini-album. I believe the information in the booklet regarding "Circle of the Tyrants" is a misprint. It say it's the version from 'Mega Therion," but I believe Martin Ain is on bass, and it's the 1985 'Emperor's return' version--a much better sound.
Then, we have "The Inevitable Factor" (a great song, similar to "Inner Sanctum," and recorded during the 1987 'Pandemonium' recording sessions, but omitted from the album) and "In the Chapel in the Moonlight," a warm-up, jam song they ended up releasing as a limited-edition single. There's also the shortened radio edit of "I Won't Dance," probably one of CF's most versatile, drum-set destroying, rockin' songs, not to mention the brightest spot on 'Pandemonium. ' They add "Tristesses" as well here, the rare alternate, string-orchestra arrangement of "Sorrows of the Moon" also from 'Pandemonium. '
Unfortunately, this compilation also includes some of the 'Cold Lake' jam sessions. None are horrible, except for "Mexican Radio. " They first covered this song on 'Pandemonium' (87) and it was brilliant. St. Mark's drums, Warrior's rhythmic, mathematical guitar drones, Ain's harmonizing, eerie bass. . . it immediately got played LOUDLY up at my dorm in college, nightly. This 1991 jam session version sucks. Warrior has replaced all of his bandmates for this one, and it sounds like the group Poison after a proctology exam. The other 'Cold Lake' session songs actually sound better than the album versions, but that's still not very good.
Surprisingly, the 'Vanity/Nemesis'session songs are very, very good. The unreleased "Descent to Babylon," and V/N's "The Name of My Bride" and "The Heart Beneath" are the best post 1980's songs they've done, and "Idols of Chagrin" is pretty good, too, just be ready for the drum machine. You hear some drum machine as well with "Under Apollyon's Sun," a song which would begin TG Fischer/Warrior's journey into Industrial music, which he tangled with during the mid-90's as frontman of his new group, Apollyon's Sun.
This is CD of rarities and jam sessions. With that in mind, I think it's a pretty cool collection of decent songs. In the end, I think Thomas Gabriel Fischer felt compelled to release all the rest of his stash of stuff, and put it out on one last CD for all CF's fans to enjoy. There IS a "Best of" CD for all those who really need one. It's called 'Are You Morbid?' and it's been out for a decade. As long as you have 'Morbid Tales,' 'Mega Therion,' 'Pandemonium' and the new 'Monotheist' (2006), you're set. Get 'Parched With Thirst' and 'Vanity/Nemesis' when you have the extra $$$, because both are pretty good (not gothic, dark metal, though), and save 'Cold Lake' for the serious collectors, and those who really like to rock out (with their cock out) to Motley Crue, Autograph, Def Leppard and Whitesnake.
very poor track selection.
that's why it's called a best of, not worst of. cherry orchards, idols of chagrin,downtown hanoi, and others should not be included in this best of. mexican radio is a lame cover tune. return to the eve and the usurper are the best on this album. they needed to include dethroned emperor, visual aggression, morbid tales, and procreation of the wicked. inner sanctum from into the pandemonium should have been included also. what the f**k this album overall is a f**king disgrace. buy morbid tales, to mega therion, and the more experimental, but still good into the pandemonium. even vanity/nemesis isn't all that bad either, but PLEASE, do not spend your hard earned cash on this pathetic so called best of album. it does not represent the band well. .
. You can see a complete list of all Celtic Frost discography, or go back to the Celtic Frost tabs
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