CELTIC FROST - Cold Lake 12" Vinyl LP Album

Album Description:

Switzerland's Celtic Frost is a name synonymous with innovation and boundary-pushing within the metal genre. With their fourth full-length album, "Cold Lake", released in 1988, the band embarked on an audacious musical journey that defied expectations and challenged their own established sound. While often met with mixed reception from fans and critics alike, "Cold Lake" remains a fascinating chapter in Celtic Frost's history, marking a significant departure from their earlier thrash metal roots.

A Controversial Departure

In the early 1980s, Celtic Frost had earned a reputation as pioneers of the extreme metal genre, with their aggressive and dark sound defining them as leaders of the thrash and black metal movements. However, "Cold Lake" saw the band embracing a radically different musical direction, diving headfirst into a fusion of glam rock, hard rock, and elements of pop metal. This departure left many fans bewildered, as the album showcased a sound that starkly contrasted with the band's earlier works.

Production and Lineup

The production of "Cold Lake" was a collaborative effort between the band, Tony Platt, and Karl-Ulrich Walterbach. Dexter, a sound engineer known for his work on various metal albums, contributed to the recording process. The album's cover photography, captured by Martin Becker, added to the visual transformation, reflecting the newfound image Celtic Frost was aiming to project.

The lineup for "Cold Lake" featured notable changes, with Tom Gabriel Fischer handling guitars and vocals as usual. Oliver Amber joined as a guitarist, while Curt Victor Bryant took over bass duties. Stephen Preistly assumed the role of drummer and also contributed additional vocals. This lineup shift, combined with the musical departure, further emphasized the album's divergence from Celtic Frost's established identity.

Musical Exploration and Reception

"Cold Lake" opens with the track "Human", a song that sets the tone for the album's experimentation. The glam-influenced riffs, melodic hooks, and cleaner vocal approach marked a significant departure from the band's earlier raw and aggressive style. Tracks like "Seduce Me Tonight" and "Cherry Orchards" continued this departure, showcasing Celtic Frost's willingness to explore new musical territories.

The album's reception was polarized, to say the least. Longtime fans of Celtic Frost were taken aback by the drastic change in style, feeling disconnected from the band they had come to know. Critics were also divided, with some appreciating the band's attempt at reinvention while others saw it as an ill-fated experiment. Despite the controversy, "Cold Lake" did manage to find an audience among those more open to the evolving metal landscape of the late '80s.