Celtic Frost - To Mega Therion (CD)

Wafts of might, wine of fire I was called to taste

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 18, 2008

Pros: Possibly Celtic Frost's best album

Cons: This edition is NOT the one to get!

Unmistakably Celtic Frost, yet quite different from their debut. 1985's "To Mega Therion" is a huge improvement with new drummer Reed St. Mark, but Martin Ain's replacement on bass (Dominic Steiner) is nearly unheard in the mix. Whi...le "Morbid Tales" boasts a flawless production, this album suffers from a poor one. The music is even darker, now featuring some classical instruments on a few songs. Tom G. Warrior's guitar playing is a step above that on "Morbid Tales", especially in his much improved leads. Even though Martin Ain didn't record on this one, he did co-write most of the material with Tom. Every song is a classic. Many years later, Tom looked back on "The Usurper" as being his favorite Celtic Frost song. "Dawn of Megiddo" could very well be the definitive CF song. Many, many fans refer to "Circle of the Tyrants" as being their favorite song. My personal favorite is "Necromantical Screams", the album's finale. I love this album, but not as much as "Morbid Tales". If the production was better, I'd enjoy it the most. Besides the unique guitar improvement and more weird, complex, heavy songwriting, Tom's vocals are even better on this one. Once again, the lyrics are the best in the genre. But it all suffers from the dull sound quality. In 1999, Tom G. Warrior remastered this album for reissue, and that edition includes the 1986 EP "Tragic Serenades" (Which features the return of Martin Ain who re-recorded bass lines to "The Usurper" and "Jewel Throne", along with a remake of "Return to the Eve".) That is the only edition you should buy. The one listed here is the cheap, unofficial version, with the bonus track being the same "Return to the Eve" that is already on the debut. Look for the reissue and get that instead of this one. Read more Less