The Metal Files

My history with Celtic Frost goes back to about 1986 as noted here.  I am a fan.  While Monotheist is probably my least favorite album, it’s not bad.  A year or so ago Tom G. announced that Celtic Frost was done and he had a new project called Triptykon…which uses the Frost script in one their logos.  Tom seems to have some deep seeded issues with carrying on as Frost.

No matter.

Triptykon was announced to play Emo’s and I was in.  I mean c’mon.  It’s Tom G!  I bought the meet and greet pass mainly to get his signature in the book.

Per my normal routine I walk to the venue early and happen to catch Tom G. walking the streets.  I talked to him for just a few moments and headed over to the venue.  The pre-sale  on this show was 60.  SIXTY!  I was able to get in early via a friend who worked there and got to catch the soundcheck.  They did Usurper and for whatever reason, Tom was smiling and laughing the whole time.  This was the last show on the tour as they canceled the Houston show.  It is my understanding that the tour attendance had been pretty light.  Last night’s show had Triptykon playing before the headliner.  The tour included Yakuza (Chicago) and 1349 (Norway) on the bill.  Local band Mammoth Grinder opened but I missed them.

At the end of soundcheck Tom G was asked if he needed more monitor.  Tom G responded with, “I can hear myself enough.  Doesn’t matter, we’re just playing Austin.”  Ouch!  C’mon Tom G!  Show a little love!

Tom G signs the book.

After soundcheck I hung outside talking with a few friends before the quick meet and greet.  Only 7 people (including me) bought the pass for it.  Two guys drove up from Monterrey, Mexico for this.  That was cool.  They brought each member of the band some gifts from Mexico which mainly consisted of tequila.  Very cool.  I had Tom G sign the book which got the usual reaction from bands…”What the hell is this?”  He read through the Celtic Frost section and signed it.  We all snapped a few pictures and that was it.

I left there to drop the book off back at the house and went to a bar for a beer.  I missed Mammoth Grinder and caught most of Yakuza’s set.  Not my cup of tea at all.  Sort of avant-garde metal with lots of saxophone.  Their slower mellower stuff was alright as background music but they aren’t something that I would want to listen to regularly.

Triptykon cam on next and I was glad to see the place fill up a little.  There may have been 150 people there but I think that’s pushing it.  They opened up with Frost’s Procreation of the Wicked.  This band is tuned

Eyes as black as his soul! Tom G!

down a bit and it’s weird hearing this song in a lower key.  Overall they were good, solid.  Tom G is no guitar wizard by any stretch of the imagination, but he does write good riffs.  The Triptykon stuff sounds like where the music from Monotheist left off.  Slow, plodding, dark.  I enjoyed the show quite a bit, though.  How many more times are we going to see Tom G in the states, ya know?  They also plays Circle of the Tyrants and Usurper with the singer for 1349 handling vocal duties.

I was tired and didn’t stick around for 1349.  I’m really not that big of a black metal fan.  I saw what I wanted to see.

Setlist:

1. Crucifixus (Intro)
2. Procreation of the Wicked
3. Goetia
4. Circle of the Tyrants
5. Abyss Within My Soul
6. The Usurper
7. Synagoga Satanae
8. The Prolonging
9. Winter (I think they did this)

Ugh!

(all images clickable)

Love the H. R. Giger guitar!

My shitty vids from the show.  The lighting was terrible.