CELTIC FROST - EMPEROR'S RETURN 1985 NOISE EP GERMAN PRESSING WITH CUSTOM SLEEVE

$

30

WELCOME TO BAD KITTY MUSIC!

COOL VINYL FROM LONG AGO. LARGE SHIPPING COST DISCOUNTS ON MULTIPLE ITEMS, SO STOCK UP. CHECK BACK OFTEN, AS THE BAD KITTY IS ALWAYS ON THE PROWL...

TITLE: Celtic Frost - Emperor's Return

FORMAT: EP

PRESSING: Stereo German pressing with silver Noise labels

CATALOG NUMBER/ LABEL : Noise N 0024 

REVIEW: Celtic Frost's impact on the evolution of European heavy metal cannot be overstated. Along with power metal kings Helloween (and to a lesser degree, the sometimes cartoonish Mercyful Fate), Frost's enduring influence on Europe's heavy metal landscape is arguably comparable to Metallica's standing in America. Labeled by critics as "avant-garde" for their radical fusion of violent black metal and elements of classical music, the band represented a distinctly European metal perspective. But their history was troubled, their output uneven to say the least, and their ignominious end hardly fitting of their important legacy.

Thomas Gabriel Fischer was the product of a broken home and a less than financially secure upbringing -- a rare predicament in his native Switzerland, but one that instilled in him the burning ambition and outcast mentality usually required in the formative years of a rock star. Fresh out of high school, the teenager was already enamored with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and particularly high-energy trios like black metal pioneers Venom and proto-thrashers Raven. Inspired by that movement's D.I.Y. credo, Fischer renamed himself Tom Warrior, and along with bassist Steve Warrior and drummer Bruce Day, formed his first band, Hellhammer, in the fall of 1982. Less than a year later, and though still raw beyond description, the band's demos -- now featuring bassist Martin Eric Ain and drummer Stephen Priestly -- had become surprisingly popular within the underground tape-trading community. In late 1983, start-up German label Noise Records signed them to a contract and included two of their tracks on its first release, a compilation of rising German metal bands appropriately called Death Metal. But Warrior and Ain felt that Hellhammer had already run its course and that the group's extreme nature was too limiting for their increasingly mature compositions. Thus, with their gothic, pseudo-satanic image already coming into focus, in May 1984 they evolved into Celtic Frost.

By October, the trio was in Berlin recording its first album, Morbid Tales, which cemented the group's position as one of Europe's most promising metal acts thanks to its still relatively straightforward -- but nevertheless excellent -- thrash metal attack. The sudden departure of Priestly also proved to be a blessing in disguise, as his replacement, American drummer Reed St. Mark, brought a confidence and musicianship that the group sorely needed. Amazingly, Celtic Frost had yet to play their first concert, so after putting the finishing touches on the Emperor's Return EP, in April 1985 they performed a single warm-up show in their hometown of Zurich, then set out to tour across Germany and Austria.Celtic Frost's impact on the evolution of European heavy metal cannot be overstated. Along with power metal kings Helloween (and to a lesser degree, the sometimes cartoonish Mercyful Fate), Frost's enduring influence on Europe's heavy metal landscape is arguably comparable to Metallica's standing in America. Labeled by critics as "avant-garde" for their radical fusion of violent black metal and elements of classical music, the band represented a distinctly European metal perspective. But their history was troubled, their output uneven to say the least, and their ignominious end hardly fitting of their important legacy.

Thomas Gabriel Fischer was the product of a broken home and a less than financially secure upbringing -- a rare predicament in his native Switzerland, but one that instilled in him the burning ambition and outcast mentality usually required in the formative years of a rock star. Fresh out of high school, the teenager was already enamored with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and particularly high-energy trios like black metal pioneers Venom and proto-thrashers Raven. Inspired by that movement's D.I.Y. credo, Fischer renamed himself Tom Warrior, and along with bassist Steve Warrior and drummer Bruce Day, formed his first band, Hellhammer, in the fall of 1982. Less than a year later, and though still raw beyond description, the band's demos -- now featuring bassist Martin Eric Ain and drummer Stephen Priestly -- had become surprisingly popular within the underground tape-trading community. In late 1983, start-up German label Noise Records signed them to a contract and included two of their tracks on its first release, a compilation of rising German metal bands appropriately called Death Metal. But Warrior and Ain felt that Hellhammer had already run its course and that the group's extreme nature was too limiting for their increasingly mature compositions. Thus, with their gothic, pseudo-satanic image already coming into focus, in May 1984 they evolved into Celtic Frost.

By October, the trio was in Berlin recording its first album, Morbid Tales, which cemented the group's position as one of Europe's most promising metal acts thanks to its still relatively straightforward -- but nevertheless excellent -- thrash metal attack. The sudden departure of Priestly also proved to be a blessing in disguise, as his replacement, American drummer Reed St. Mark, brought a confidence and musicianship that the group sorely needed. Amazingly, Celtic Frost had yet to play their first concert, so after putting the finishing touches on the Emperor's Return EP, in April 1985 they performed a single warm-up show in their hometown of Zurich, then set out to tour across Germany and Austria. - Allmusic.com

RARE ORIGINAL GERMAN STEREO PRESSING WITH SILVER NOISE LABELS AND CUSTOM SLEEVE. VINYL IN SUPERIOR SHAPE.

CONDITION: (we visually grade albums according to Goldmine Standards, BUT questionable vinyl marks are also play-graded) 

                        VINYL: Very Good Plus

                        JACKET: Very Good Plus (edgewear, and sticker residue in top right corner - see photos for details)

                        SLEEVE: Very Good Plus

                        INSERT / EXTRAS : Original German pressing, custom sleeve

AS WITH ALL USED VINYL LPS, A THOROUGH CLEANING SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE PLAYING, FOR OPTIMUM SOUND QUALITY.

Please click on "View Seller's Other Items" to see the other fine recordings we are offering this week!

WE ALWAYS COMBINE SHIPPING COSTS ON MULTIPLE LP SHIPMENTS . FEEL FREE TO ASK FOR QUOTES ON MULTIPLE LP SHIPMENTS AT ANY TIME. THIS APPLIES TO BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ORDERS. DO NOT TRUST THE EBAY SHIPPING CALCULATOR, AS IT OFTEN PROVIDES INACCURATE SHIPPING CHARGES. PLEASE WAIT FOR A COMBINED SHIPPING INVOICE FROM US BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT. COMBINED SHIPMENT DISCOUNT DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

DOMESTIC (MEDIA MAIL) AND INTERNATIONAL (FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL) COMBINED SHIPMENTS

ALL DOMESTIC ORDERS NOW INCLUDE FREE USPS MEDIA MAIL SHIPPING! (OTHER SERVICE LEVELS ALSO AVAILABLE.)

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR  $2 EACH TO CANADA/MEXICO ADDRESSES ($2 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2). THERE IS A WEIGHT MAXIMUM OF 4LBS FOR FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL (APPROXIMATELY 5-6 LPS). FOR LARGER ORDERS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR SHIPPING QUOTES AND SERVICE OPTIONS.

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR FOR $5 EACH TO EUROPE/ASIA/REST OF WORLD ($5 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2). THERE IS A WEIGHT MAXIMUM OF 4LBS FOR FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL (APPROXIMATELY 5-6 LPS). FOR LARGER ORDERS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR SHIPPING QUOTES AND SERVICE OPTIONS.

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE TAKE NOTE: WITH FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING, THERE IS NO USABLE TRACKING NUMBER AND NO INSURANCE AVAILABLE. WHILE IT IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL METHOD, IT IS ALSO THE SLOWEST AND LEAST TRACKABLE. IF SPEED AND TRACKING ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU, WE RECOMMEND USING PRIORITY MAIL.

DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL (PRIORITY MAIL) COMBINED SHIPMENTS

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR $2 EACH TO U.S. ADDRESSES ($2 PER SINGLE OR GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2).

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR  $4 EACH TO CANADA/MEXICO ADDRESSES ($4 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2).

ADDITIONAL LPS SHIP FOR FOR $4 EACH TO EUROPE/ASIA/REST OF WORLD ($4 PER SINGLE OR  GATEFOLD LP, 2LP SETS COUNT AS 2).

PACKAGING: All our LPs are shipped in brand new U-Line custom LP mailer boxes, which hold up to 5 LPs. Larger orders are also over-boxed (double boxed) for added security. The LPs are wrapped in 2 to 5 square feet of 3/16" bubble wrap and the boxes are taped TIGHTLY. LPs can be shipped outside jackets (to prevent seam splitting) if requested. We have been shipping LPs worldwide for years, and have the feedback to prove that we ship them properly. We also ship all domestic shipments with Delivery Confirmation for peace of mind for all involved. Tracking Numbers are uploaded to Ebay immediately following shipment.

WE HAVE AN UNCONDITIONAL RETURNS POLICY. If you are not satisfied for any reason, please contact us and we will issue you a full refund (not including return shipping) on receipt of the returned item. 

Thanks for looking!