"Into the Pandemonium" Album Description:
Celtic Frost's "Into the Pandemonium" stands as a seminal release in the world of extreme metal, showcasing the band's audacious experimentation and pushing the boundaries of the genre. Released in Germany under the NOISE label with the catalog number N 0065, this gatefold 12" vinyl LP album remains a coveted piece among collectors and enthusiasts.
The creation history of "Into the Pandemonium" reveals a fascinating journey marked by artistic exploration and a departure from conventional norms. Celtic Frost, a Swiss extreme metal band formed in 1984, had already gained acclaim with their earlier releases, particularly the influential "Morbid Tales" and "To Mega Therion." However, the band, led by visionary frontman Tom G. Warrior, sought to transcend the confines of traditional metal with their third studio album.
The album, recorded in Berlin and released in 1987, reflects a bold departure from Celtic Frost's earlier sound. "Into the Pandemonium" incorporates a diverse range of musical elements, including classical and operatic influences, avant-garde experimentation, and industrial sounds. This departure from the band's thrash metal roots led to a divisive reception among fans and critics, with some embracing the innovative approach and others struggling to reconcile with the unconventional nature of the album.
The front cover of Celtic Frost's "Into the Pandemonium" is adorned with the mesmerizing artwork titled "Garden of Delights," crafted by the legendary Hieronymus Bosch. This iconic album cover design adds a layer of visual richness to the overall presentation, perfectly complementing the avant-garde and experimental nature of the music within.
Hieronymus Bosch, a Dutch Renaissance painter born in the late 15th century, is celebrated for his surreal and fantastical depictions of landscapes populated by otherworldly creatures and symbolic imagery. "Garden of Delights" is one of his most renowned works, showcasing Bosch's unparalleled ability to weave intricate details and allegorical narratives into his art.
The choice of Bosch's "Garden of Delights" for the album cover aligns seamlessly with the thematic elements explored in Celtic Frost's music. Bosch's painting is a triptych, consisting of three panels that unfold a surreal narrative. The central panel, which likely inspired the album cover, is a densely populated scene featuring bizarre and fantastical creatures engaged in various activities.
The use of Bosch's artwork on the cover establishes a visual connection with the unconventional and boundary-pushing music found on "Into the Pandemonium." Bosch's imagery, filled with symbolism and enigmatic figures, mirrors the eclectic amalgamation of genres and influences present in Celtic Frost's compositions. The chaotic and dreamlike quality of "Garden of Delights" resonates with the dissonant and experimental sounds encapsulated within the album.
In the context of the gatefold 12" vinyl LP, the expansive canvas allows for a more immersive experience with Bosch's artwork. The unfolding panels echo the unfolding musical journey presented by Celtic Frost. As listeners engage with the vinyl, both visually and aurally, they are drawn into a world where music and art converge, creating a holistic and multisensory encounter.
The use of historical and artistic references, such as Hieronymus Bosch's "Garden of Delights," on album covers was a notable trend in metal during this period. It added an intellectual and cultural dimension to the music, inviting listeners to explore the visual and conceptual intricacies alongside the sonic experience.
The German release under the NOISE label further solidifies the historical significance of this edition. NOISE Records, a prominent player in the European metal scene during the 1980s, played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of extreme metal. The inclusion of "Into the Pandemonium" in their catalog speaks to the album's significance within the broader context of the era's metal scene.
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Music Genre:
Swiss Thrash Metal / Doom Metal
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Album
Production information:
The album: "CELTIC FROST - Into the Pandemonium" was produced by:
Celtic Frost
Sound/Recording Engineer(s):
Jan Nemec
Jan Němec Bocek – Sound engineer & producerOne of those behind the the mixing pult (Mischpult) craftsmen whose name you see in the credits right where the sound suddenly makes sense. Read more... Jan Němec Bocek, I’ve always filed him under the quietly essential studio people—the ones who never mug for the camera but absolutely shape what comes out of the speakers. During the 1980s he worked as a sound engineer and producer at the Horus Sound Studio, right in that sweet spot when European rock and metal records were getting bigger, tighter, and more confident. That decade defines his main working period, and you can hear it in the disciplined yet punchy studio sound he helped capture. No rock-star mythology here, just long hours, good ears, and the kind of decisions that only reveal themselves years later when a record still holds up.
This album was recorded at:
Horus Sound Studio, Hannover, Germany from January through April 1987
Horus Sound Studio– Recording studio (Hannover, Germany)
Horus Sound Studio is the Hannover birthplace of Teutonic thrash—founded in 1979, the room where that German riff-machine learned mayhem, and somehow always near the scene of the riff-crime.
Read more...
Horus Sound Studio doesn’t announce itself with fireworks; it just sits there in Hannover and keeps ending up on the back of records that sound like they were forged, not “produced.” The name starts showing up, then showing up again, until it’s basically living on my shelf rent-free.
Frank Bornemann built the place in 1979, and that date matters because it tells you this wasn’t some latecomer cash-in. This was infrastructure. A real room with real walls that could take volume without flinching.
Sleeves get flipped, credits get scanned, and suddenly there it is: Steeltower hammering out
Night of the Dog
(recorded and mixed Jan–Sept 1984), Living Death pushing
Metal Revolution
through the desk (recorded and mixed Aug 1985). Both of them sound like the amps were slightly insulted to be treated “professionally.” Love that. No cap.
Then the bigger names start piling in, and the pattern gets almost suspicious. Kreator tracking and mixing
Terrible Certainty
in 1987. Sabbat cutting
History of a Time to Come
in Sept 1987. Helloween grinding through the winter of 1986–1987. Sodom getting
Agent Orange
mixed there in April 1989. Not a coincidence. More like the studio knew how to keep the edges sharp instead of sanding them down for “radio.”
Plenty of studios capture sound. Horus captures intent—the part where a band decides to stop asking permission. Anyone calling that “just a room” is either lying or has never heard what a good room does to a hungry band.
Album cover design:
"Garden of Delights" by Hieronymous Bosch |
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Record Label & Catalognr:
NOISE International N 0065 / LC 9066 /08-4428
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| Packaging:This album "CELTIC FROST - Into the Pandemonium" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos . |
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Media Format:
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
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Year & Country:
1987 Germany
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