Hellhammer vs. Celtic Frost

Oh ... and "Cold Lake" is genius. Probably my 3rd favorite from Celtic Frost overall.

I was too eager to simply have a good time, I was too happy to have new musicians who actually wanted to write and who didn't leave me with the immense burden of writing and producing the entire album (as it had been for the first three Celtic Frost albums). I therefore loosened control (of material and quality) too much. And I was too glad to let the darkness go – right down to the band’s image.

The original concept for Cold Lake as outlined was now taking on its own dynamics and our focus became totally out of control. What was going to be a far more melodic (commercial) album by the original line-up became an overblown steam release valve for past frustrations, recorded by new musicians who didn’t yet understand the legacy of Celtic Frost.

Tony Platt’s faulty production and the hefty disagreements he had with us contributed to this. The mistakes are countless. Just two here: we didn’t let go of Tony because we wanted a major name attached to the album – after all, that was what Celtic Frost always requested from Noise Records and had never gotten. Now it was possible. And Celtic Frost’s traditional complete ignorance of what was appropriate now backfired when we did Cold Lake in this totally inappropriate way.

-Tom G Warrior

The problem with "Cold Lake" IMHO, was that when it was released it was declared by the major metal media of the time to be 'glam metal'. When in reality, they had only adopted a 'glam image'. A few years earlier power and even speed metal bands were using the same image (remember the first Slayer album anyone?)

So "Cold Lake" was written off even before it had a chance to breathe life. Aborted by assumption.

I didn't even pick the album up at the time due to all the negative press I was hearing/reading about it. When I finally gave it the time of day almost 20 years later, I was floored! Not only did I discover that it wasn't a 'glam metal' release, but I discovered that it had some of the most infectuous songwriting of any Celtic Frost material. Sure it wasn't the speed/thrash hybrid of times past for the boys. But it was straight up traditional heavy metal (with minor glam leanings, much like early Twisted Sister).

Anyway ... that's my take on "Cold Lake" ... and the reason why I like it so much.

Celtic Frost, but Hellhammer were great.

Also, I don't get alot of the issues people are having with this debate. Hellhammer quite clearly evolved into Celtic Frost.

DeathCult wrote:

Celtic Frost, but Hellhammer were great.

Also, I don't get alot of the issues people are having with this debate. Hellhammer quite clearly evolved into Celtic Frost.

I agree with everything you said.