It is difficult to put into words the feelings that Celtic Frost's
Emperor's Return inflicts on its poor, unsuspecting listeners. I remember the first time I heard it - I *** my pants. I could not believe the evil that was being shoved up my ass. I was bleeding profusely. Few works of music have moved me to tears. Beethoven...The Beatles...and Celtic Frost. "Dethroned Emperor" made me sob over its majestic beauty. My corpse paint looked all ***ed up after that, I didn't even bother fixing it. I was only 10 years old but I knew I would never ever amount to what Tom Warrior has accomplished. Men like Tom Warrior make you want to live in your basement forever. You're not worthy so why bother? None of us are worthy. Listen to "Circle of the Tyrants" if you don't believe me.
Or so I thought. For years I misunderstood Celtic Frost's message. Finally getting the chance to talk to Tom Warrior when my band Abhor opened for Triptykon at DemonFest in Dalton, I told him the incredible effect his work had had on me when I was a young boy and my father would play me Celtic Frost tapes to get me to sleep. I told him how even today the sound of the Frost reminds me of innocence...but also of the fact that there's no hope in this world. And that hatred is what we must promote. Tom looked astonished. He said, "You're wrong." He told me that the message of
Emperor's Return was that of hope, of peace, of beauty. He said the goal was to inspire young musicians to create...to keep the evil flowing. Metal must live forever. Then we smoked a joint.
I hope this EP changes your life like it has changed mine.
