Monday, December 31, 2007

Groove 4 Gremory

Celtic Frost, so sayeth many-a hessian, are god-like (your birthplace may affect your weltanschauung. Being European and speaking heavily accented English helps considerably--more of this later). One interview I read highlighted the idea that while stylistically their music is very simple, their musicianship is so strong that they create this untouchable, distinct groove that most bands couldn't emulate no matter how hard they try. If you compare Celtic Frost playing live to any Celtic Frost cover band--even if they nail all the notes--you'll understand what I mean. A quick (sigh) youtube search can provide any empirical proof that you need:



Naturally, I'm reminded of seeing these lads live in Madrid, wherein unlike any show in the states the venue came damn close to selling out. Since Herr Martin Eric Ain actually seems to be one of the most affable and intelligent guys in business (despite aforementioned 'god-ship') I retrospectively felt kind bad for screwing around with their between song banter. I had a bit of an advantage with respect to mostly non-anglophonic audience:

Herr Ain: Do you fear death Madrid? DO YOU FEAR DEATH?
Crowd: N..no?
Herr Ain: I say again--you proudly wear the images of death, but do you FEAR death?
Crowd: N-(somewhat more renounced) No!

"I don't know, I've never really though about it. Naturally, it depends on the circumstances!"

Herr Ain: You all--uh--this song is called "Necromantical Screams!"

Well shit. Oh well: