Description
Celtic Frost – Parched With Thirst – Compact Disc
Celtic Frost’s Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying is a compilation album released in 1992 by Noise Records. This release serves as a retrospective of the Swiss extreme metal pioneers, showcasing a mix of studio tracks, rare outtakes, and unreleased material. Named after a line in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the album reflects Celtic Frost’s artistic ambition and their lasting influence on the metal genre.
Celtic Frost, formed in 1984 by Tom Gabriel Fischer (a.k.a. Tom Warrior) and Martin Eric Ain, was a pivotal force in shaping the sound of extreme metal. Known for their innovative blending of black metal, thrash, doom, and avant-garde elements, the band pushed the boundaries of metal throughout the 1980s. By the time Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying was released, the band had disbanded after their controversial 1990 album Vanity/Nemesis, making this compilation a fitting summary of their career up to that point.
The album features a diverse selection of tracks from various phases of Celtic Frost’s career, including:
Classic cuts from their early albums (Morbid Tales, To Mega Therion, Into the Pandemonium).
Rare and unreleased tracks, giving fans a glimpse into the band’s creative process.
Tracks from the later Cold Lake and Vanity/Nemesis periods, reflecting their stylistic shifts.
A mix of demo versions and alternate takes that highlight the raw and experimental nature of their music.
The compilation captures the evolution of Celtic Frost’s sound, from their early raw black/thrash metal beginnings to their later forays into gothic and avant-garde territory. The compilation also includes liner notes by Tom Gabriel Fischer, providing insights into the band’s history and the selected tracks.
Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying encapsulates Celtic Frost’s exploration of diverse themes, from existential despair and mythology to personal struggles and societal critique. Their music often combines heaviness with an experimental edge, making them a band that defied easy categorization.
While some fans view this compilation as uneven due to the inclusion of tracks from their polarizing Cold Lake era, it provides a comprehensive look at the band’s career, highlighting their ability to reinvent themselves while maintaining a core of innovation.
The album received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising its historical significance and rare content but noting the stylistic inconsistencies. However, for fans, Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying remains an invaluable collection that captures the essence of Celtic Frost’s daring and unconventional approach to metal.
Parched with Thirst Am I and Dying is a fitting tribute to Celtic Frost’s legacy, showcasing their evolution and willingness to take risks. It’s a must-have for die-hard fans and a fascinating introduction for those curious about one of metal’s most innovative and influential bands. Whether exploring their primitive aggression or avant-garde experimentation, this compilation captures the essence of a band that forever changed the metal landscape.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Noise Records
Track Listing
1. Idols Of Chagrin
2. A Descent To Babylon
3. Return To The Eve
4. Juices Like Wine
5. The Inevitable Factor
6. The Hearth Beneath
7. Cherry Orchards
8. Tristesses De La Lune
9. Wings Of Solitude
10. The Usurper
11. Journey Into Fear
12. Downtown Hanoi
13. Circle Of The Tyrants
14. In The Chapel In The Moonlight
15. I Won’t Dance
16. The Name Of My Bride
17. Mexican Radio
18. Under Apollyon’s Sun
