Editing Celtic Frost (section)

==History==
===Formation and first recordings (1984–1987)===
Celtic Frost's frontman, guitarist, and singer, [[Tom Gabriel Fischer]], adopted the alias Tom Warrior. With Steve Warrior on bass, he formed one of the earliest extreme metal bands, [[Hellhammer]], in 1981. Steve Warrior was later replaced by [[Martin Eric Ain]] – also a pseudonym. The band attracted a small international fan base, was signed to [[Noise Records]] in [[Germany]], and recorded their debut EP, ''[[Apocalyptic Raids]]'', in March 1984.

Many [[heavy metal music|metal]]-centered publications were skeptical of Hellhammer's musical efforts. ''[[Metal Forces]]'' loathed the group, sparking a lasting feud between the zine and Warrior, which prevented Celtic Frost from performing in England for several years.<ref name=terrorizer108>Gregori (2003), page 11.</ref> Writers at ''Rock Power'' were similarly critical of Hellhammer, describing it as "the most terrible, abhorrent, and atrocious thing 'musicians' were ever allowed to record".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.centurymedia.com/index.aspx?page=detailed_artist&id_artist=192 |title='Death Fiends': A Short Biography of Hellhammer |author=Doe, Bernard |date=December 2007 |work=Century Media Records |access-date=10 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119104859/http://www2.centurymedia.com/index.aspx?page=detailed_artist&id_artist=192 |archive-date=19 January 2008 }}</ref> In fact, they were "receiving miserable reviews everywhere", Warrior concluded.<ref name=cf80>Fischer (2000), page 80.</ref>

Reflecting on the impact of his first band, Fischer said:

<blockquote>Way back in 1984 and 85, when Martin Eric Ain and I recorded Celtic Frost's first two albums ''[[Morbid Tales]]'' and ''[[To Mega Therion (album)|To Mega Therion]]'', Hellhammer stayed with us almost like a curse. Even though Hellhammer was the very reason we had reconsidered our goals and conceived the Frost, HH's remnants kept being significant obstacles in our path. Many people viewed Frost as simply a renamed version of the same band. The lack of musical quality in HH made it almost impossible for us to get an unbiased reaction for Frost. To make a long story short, it nearly destroyed all our work and dreams.<ref name=aprd1990>{{cite AV media notes |title=Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. |title-link=Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. |others=Hellhammer |year=1990 |chapter=The Macabre Existence of Hellhammer |first=Thomas Gabriel |last=Warrior |page=2 |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Noise Records|Modern Music Records]] |location=[[Berlin]], [[Germany]]}}</ref></blockquote>

By May 1984, Hellhammer had disbanded. Fischer and Ain, along with session drummer Stephen Priestly, regrouped as Celtic Frost. Their 1984 debut EP, ''[[Morbid Tales]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=RIVADAVIA |first1=EDUARDO |title=INFLUENTIAL CELTIC FROST DEBUT ALBUM 'MORBID TALES' TURNS 30 YEARS OLD |url=https://loudwire.com/celtic-frost-debut-album-morbid-tales-30-years-old/ |website=[[Loudwire]] |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=18 August 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818084054/https://loudwire.com/celtic-frost-debut-album-morbid-tales-30-years-old/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was well received in the underground metal scene, and the band embarked on its first tour, through Germany and [[Austria]]. This was followed by the EP ''[[Emperor's Return]]''. Both of these early releases have since been packaged together and are available on a single CD.

The next of Celtic Frost's influential recordings was 1985's [[To Mega Therion (album)|''To Mega Therion'']], which did not feature Ain on bass, but instead used stand-in bassist Dominic Steiner. The cover artwork is a painting by [[H.R. Giger]] entitled ''Satan I'', which Giger gifted to the band after corresponding with Fischer through the mail. The album was a major influence on the emerging genres of [[death metal]] and [[black metal]].<ref>Shapiro 1993, page 111.</ref> Ain rejoined the band after the album was recorded. 

===Stylistic changes, internal struggles, and first breakup (1987–1993)===
[[File:Celtic frost into pandemonium cover.jpg|thumb|170px|''Into the Pandemonium'' was Celtic Frost’s second full-length album. The album employs a variety of musical styles.]]
In 1987, Celtic Frost released their second full-length studio album, ''[[Into the Pandemonium]]''. The album is noticeably eclectic compared to the band's previous works, featuring love songs, [[industrial music|industrial]] rhythmic pieces, symphonic and operatic influences, female vocal parts, and an unlikely cover of [[Wall of Voodoo]]'s "[[Mexican Radio]]."

The album is often regarded as a unique departure from the band's earlier material and helped solidify their description as an [[avant-garde metal|avant-garde]] band. It marks a shift away from the heavier, more direct style found on the band's previous releases, ''[[Morbid Tales]]'' and ''[[To Mega Therion (album)|To Mega Therion]]'', although these albums also contained elements of experimentation and symphonic collaboration. ''Into the Pandemonium'' blends a [[classic metal|heavy metal]] foundation with elements of [[industrial music|industrial]] and [[gothic rock]], and even includes an [[electronic body music]]-inspired rhythm, particularly evident in the song "One in Their Pride." Despite this stylistic evolution, the album retains sparse elements of extreme metal, noticeable in Fischer's vocals and guitar work.

During a North American tour, the band added a second guitarist, Ron Marks. However, shortly thereafter, financial difficulties, along with tensions between band members and their record label, led to a brief dissolution of the group. Six months later, Warrior reformed the band, with Stephen Priestly returning on drums, Oliver Amberg on guitars, and Curt Victor Bryant on bass. This lineup recorded the studio album ''[[Cold Lake (album)|Cold Lake]]'', released in September 1988 by Noise Records. Despite being marketed to capitalize on the mass appeal of glam metal, the album was poorly received, failing to resonate with fans of the band's extreme style.

Afterward, Bryant dismissed Amberg, leading to the return of former live guitarist Ron Marks for the recording of ''[[Vanity/Nemesis]]'' in 1990. Another significant change was the return of early bassist [[Martin Eric Ain]]. Despite these changes, Celtic Frost's reputation never fully recovered from the backlash caused by ''Cold Lake''. In 1992, the band's label released a collection of rare recordings titled ''[[Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying]]'', the title of which is derived from an ancient Roman prayer.<ref name=allmusic2 >Raggett, Ned. [http://www.allmusic.com/album/parched-with-thirst-am-i-and-dying-mw0000274947 "Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying – Celtic Frost"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201173930/http://www.allmusic.com/album/parched-with-thirst-am-i-and-dying-mw0000274947 |date=1 February 2013 }}. ''AllMusic.com''. Retrieved 26 September 2011.</ref> This compilation featured unreleased material, re-recorded versions of older songs, and studio session tracks.<ref name=allmusic2/>

A final proposed album titled ''Under Apollyon's Sun'' was never completed, although Fischer would later co-found a new group called [[Apollyon Sun]].

===Post-breakup (1993–2001)===
Several years after Celtic Frost disbanded, Fischer co-founded a new group called [[Apollyon Sun]] with his friend Erol Unala on guitar. They recorded an EP, ''[[God Leaves (And Dies)]],'' and a full-length album, [[Sub (album)|''Sub'']]. Although rooted in Celtic Frost's more experimental sound, Apollyon Sun was an [[industrial metal]] project. During his hiatus from metal music, Fischer also completed an autobiographical book titled ''Are You Morbid?'', which was published by London-based Sanctuary Publishing to fan acclaim in 2000.

===Reunion and ''Monotheist'' (2001–2008)===
[[File:Tomwarrior celticfrost.jpg|thumb|right|200px |Tom Warrior performing in 2006.]]  
In late 2001, Fischer and Ain began writing music together, with Unala on guitar and, soon after in 2002, Swiss drummer Franco Sesa. Their goal was to develop and record a new dark and heavy album. The completion of the project took longer than anticipated, partly due to the DIY nature of the project and its financing, but it ultimately resulted in what Fischer and Ain described as "perhaps the darkest album Celtic Frost has ever recorded."

The final Celtic Frost album was financed by the band through its own label, Prowling Death Records. This label had originally been self-founded to release the Hellhammer demos and manage Hellhammer's career in 1983 and 1984. The album was produced by Celtic Frost with [[Peter Tägtgren]] and mixed by Fischer and Ain. Celtic Frost and Prowling Death Records eventually entered into a worldwide licensing deal with Century Media Records. The album, titled [[Monotheist (album)|''Monotheist'']], was released in May 2006. It was well-received by both critics and fans of the band. While experimental and heavy in nature, it is viewed as an evolution from the extreme metal styles first developed on ''Morbid Tales'' and ''To Mega Therion'', as well as the avant-garde style of ''Into the Pandemonium''.

On 29 May 2006, Celtic Frost embarked on the most extensive tour of the band's career, the ''Monotheist Tour''. They initially headlined festivals (e.g., [[Wacken Open Air]]) across Europe and the United States/Canada in 2006, followed by the group's first-ever shows in Japan in early 2007. The European leg of the tour took place afterward, followed by a return to the United States to complete the tour with [[Type O Negative]]. Additional festival appearances and concerts continued in mid-2007.

On stage, Celtic Frost performed with an additional touring guitarist to handle [[rhythm guitar]] parts. This position was initially filled by [[Anders Odden]], and later by V Santura.

===Second breakup (2008–present)===
There has been no discussion of recording a new album since the band's most recent breakup.<ref name="secondbreakup" /> Celtic Frost's final two performances took place in Mexico: one on 12 October 2007, in Monterrey, and the last on the following day in Mexico City.

[[File:Celtic Frost.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Celtic Frost performing in 2006.]]
Fischer resigned from Celtic Frost on 9 April 2008, with the following message displayed on the band's official website:

<blockquote>Celtic Frost singer and guitarist Tom Gabriel Fischer has left Celtic Frost due to the irresolvable, severe erosion of the personal basis so urgently required to collaborate within a band so unique, volatile, and ambitious.</blockquote>

After this announcement, bassist Martin Eric Ain stated that the band was "still alive, albeit in a coma of sorts." He added that the remaining members would not "continue recording or touring," as it would be "preposterous" without Fischer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99122 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |title=Bassist Martin Eric Ain: Celtic Frost Is Still Alive, Albeit in a Coma of Sorts |access-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108091146/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99122 |archive-date=8 January 2009 }}</ref> Fischer went on to form the band [[Triptykon]] with Celtic Frost's touring guitarist V Santura, former Celtic Frost drummer Reed St. Mark, and bassist Vanja Slajh. Fischer stated that his new band would pursue a sound similar to the direction Celtic Frost took on their final album, [[Monotheist (album)|''Monotheist'']].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98314 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |title=Former Celtic Frost Mainman: The Biggest Mistake I Have Ever Made in My Life |access-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108163012/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98314 |archive-date=8 January 2009 }}</ref>

On 9 September 2008, Celtic Frost's founding members, Martin Eric Ain and Tom Gabriel Fischer, confirmed on the band's official website that they had "jointly decided to lay Celtic Frost to rest for good".<ref name=secondbreakup/>

On 21 October 2017, Martin Eric Ain died at the age of 50 following a heart attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metaladdicts.com/site/celtic-frost-bassist-martin-eric-ain-dies-50/|title=CELTIC FROST Bassist MARTIN ERIC AIN Dies At 50|website=Metaladdicts.com|date=22 October 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026053102/http://www.metaladdicts.com/site/celtic-frost-bassist-martin-eric-ain-dies-50/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2021 interview with Heavy Culture, Tom Gabriel Fischer discussed the possibility of performing "one or two" Celtic Frost tribute shows in memory of Ain, featuring former members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tom-gabriel-fischer-is-open-to-resurrecting-celtic-frost-for-one-or-two-shows-in-memory-of-martin-ain/|title=TOM GABRIEL FISCHER Is Open To Resurrecting CELTIC FROST For 'One Or Two Shows' In Memory Of MARTIN AIN|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=9 December 2021 |accessdate=9 December 2021}}</ref> He clarified that he had no interest in reforming the band since his departure, but might reunite former members for tribute shows: "Should this ever happen, it would not be a permanent project, nor would it be 'Celtic Frost,' despite the fact that it would {{sic|comprise |hide=y|of}} Celtic Frost alumni. It would simply be a means to pay deference, perhaps for one or two concerts, to the deceased co-founder of the band."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tom-gabriel-fischer-clarifies-comments-about-celtic-frost-tribute-shows-says-it-would-not-be-a-permanent-project/|title=TOM GABRIEL FISCHER Clarifies Comments About 'CELTIC FROST Tribute Shows', Says 'It Would Not Be A Permanent Project'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 December 2021|accessdate=10 December 2021|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210183531/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tom-gabriel-fischer-clarifies-comments-about-celtic-frost-tribute-shows-says-it-would-not-be-a-permanent-project/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 December 2022, Fischer's current band, Triptykon, announced they would be performing a Celtic Frost tribute set during the Saturday special guest slot at [[Bloodstock Open Air|Bloodstock Open Air Festival]] in the United Kingdom, following the withdrawal of [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] from that slot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/anthrax-cancel-bloodstock-2023-appearance-triptykon-join-line-up/|title=Anthrax cancel Bloodstock 2023 appearance; Triptykon join line-up|website=[[Kerrang.com]]|date=8 December 2022|accessdate=8 December 2022|archive-date=9 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209052654/https://www.kerrang.com/anthrax-cancel-bloodstock-2023-appearance-triptykon-join-line-up|url-status=live}}</ref>