2026 Anniversary Series 070: Celtic Frost – Monotheist

Scribed by Sandre the Giant Released: 29th May 2006 One of the most important extreme metal bands in history, Swiss legends Celtic Frost had been largely silent since the release of ‘Vanity/Nemesis’ in 1990, their star not waxing as brightly after ‘Cold Lake’s poor reception (an album that on reflection isn’t nearly as bad as was made out), but when they announced their return in 2001, we were all ready for more of this revolutionary outfit’s music. But nothing could have prepared us for the all encompassing, smothering black hole of deathly doom that would constitute 2006’s ‘Monotheist’ – an album that risked putting even their legendary triptych of 80s records to shame with its power, its darkness and its songwriting. Twenty years on, it remains one of my all time favourite records from this era, and its singular purpose and execution is as yet unmatched in the space. How can something remain so untouchably heavy twenty years later? Let’s find out. You cannot comprehend just how…