NOOOOO - I know I m almost 20 years late in saying this, but about a week ago, I went through my uncle s old LP collection and found this. After listening to about 3-4 songs, I had to put this away. THIS IS AWFUL! This is a slightly heavier Bon Jovi. The only positive thing about this is atleast its not as bad as Cold Lake is. THAT IS 100% GARBAGE. But in the end, all is good, as Celtic Frost released one hell of an album, the epic Monotheist, which I recommend tenfold over this.
Mellow Death - While this is no `Into The Pandemonium , it s no `Cold Lake either. The old, old school Death Metal sound may have mellowed a little, but `Vanity/Nemesis is full of sharp ideas, combining Metal and Rock in a forward looking combination.And there in lies the problem. It probably seemed too far ahead for the time, leaving many an old school Thrasher scratching his mullet and thinking ???Tom G. Warrior had gone back to his God-given Fischer surname, which might well have been a clue, and had finally let his Rock roots loose. Devouring big bites of the 60s and 70s, there are big Beatles-influenced melodies, nods to the old-style Glam Rock sounds (and image) of David Bowie, and stripped back, basic Metal and Rock. Fischer had let his legendary voice ripen a little, sounding more like a gravel throated Blues shouter than a blood curdling Death growler. Unfortunately, Fischer struggles to hold a tune, and some of the songs, Wings Of Solitude in particular, really suffer.The music throbs in a slightly subdued manner. For a band which once produced total Death/Thrash blurs, the controlled aggression of songs like The Heart Beneath and Wine In My Hand (Third From The Sun) would have been unimaginable five years earlier. It s all pretty solid, and grabs the attention, but doesn t hold it, like past masterpieces such as Into The Crypts Of Rays or Circle Of The Tyrants. The whole album plays more as background music than a lead piece. Still, it s quite a good hangover album.The newfound maturity was perhaps a bridge too far for Celtic Frost. Fischer seemed to lose interest in the genres of Metal he d been so influential on, and from the apathetic reception this album received upon release, it seemed his audience had lost interest in him.
One of my all-time favorite albums - I have a somewhat unique experience with Celtic Frost. My first exposure to them was when I bought this album waaaay back when I was in high school. I had not heard a single song from the album -- I just bought it on a whim. It s one of the best musical decisions I have ever made. I love this CD. It is great from start to finish. So many great songs, but The Heart Beneath and Wings Of Solitude have always been the standouts in my mind.Going back in time to listen to their older stuff, I always found I was more partial to this disc, which seems to be the opposite reaction from most CF fans.I don t know how to classify this CD or this band. They were truly unique. I guess I would just label this disc a great heavy metal album with great songwriting and catchy hooks, but just enough raw energy and production to give it a dirty feel. It s not a polished metal masterpiece, but it is infinitely listenable. Just an all-around kick ass rock n roll record.
Yes, that s 5 stars - I ll keep it short. So many have avoided this simply because it came after the misfire of Cold Lake. Don t be like them. This is only a hair beneath the first three releases in terms of overall quality. The crunching angular riffs are deeply satisfying and the odd tunings are put to excellent use. Once you give it a chance you won t want to take it out of your player for some time.
not bad. - blows cold lake away, but so do most albums from any genre of music. the riffs are good, but the vocals still sound a little too glam and the album cover looks too glamish. overall it s pretty heavy. i really a kiss or a whisper, wine in my hand, and the heart beneath