CELTIC FROST – Into The Pandemonium

Into the Pandemonium is the third studio effort by Swiss extreme metal juggernauts Celtic Frost.

Released in June of 1987 via Combat Records (USA), it became the band’s most successful record, but it wasn’t always that way. The release was considered controversial when it was first unveiled due to its experimental nature. Featuring unlikely covers like Wall of Voodoo’s “Mexican Radio”. Industrial-themed tracks such as “One In their Pride” or even a-typical orchestral tracks featuring female vocals “Tristesses De La Lune”. All these deviations from the typical thrash-oriented formula of the day took the world off guard.

The album is now considered to be one of the most influential extreme metal albums of all time. Influencing multiple metal genres including the gothic, symphonic and industrial metal scenes. A recognizable departure from Celtic Frost’s previous albums but a record that still sounds like Celtic Frost at its core roots. Highlight tracks for me are: “Caress into Oblivion,” “Inner Sanctum,” “Sorrows Of The Moon” and “Mesmerized”.

Celtic Frost toured the United States on the album with Anthrax (Among The Living) and Exodus (Pleasures Of The Flesh). I actually saw them on this tour at the Aragon Ball Room (1106 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL). It was this show that really got me into the band. I was familiar with songs like “Dethroned Emperor” (Morbid Tales – 1984).

And of course, “Circle Of The Tyrants” (To Mega Therion – 1985) but hadn’t yet heard Into The Pandemonium.

I was only seventeen years old. In retrospect, I feel lucky to have seen the band in what many consider to be their heyday.
Celtic Frost went on to release two more albums Cold Lake (1988) and Vanity Nemesis (1990) before breaking up in 1993.

While I own these albums, I must admit I rarely (if ever) listen to them. I was onto death metal and the glam metal style flop of Cold Lake never appealed to me.

Celtic Frost re-formed in the early 2000s and did release Monotheist (2006).

The album meet with some much-deserved success but the band ultimately broke up again in 2008. At this time, there is no new music planned. Tom G. Warrior (Thomas Gabriel Fischer) went on to form the band Triptykon.

Considering the history and undisputed influence of this band, I urge you to re-visit Into The Pandemonium and let the trend setting vibes of Celtic Frost impact you! \m/