Album Review: Triptykon with the Metropole Orkest – Requiem (Live At Roadburn 2019) (Prowling Death Records/Century Media Records)

Swiss avant-garde extreme metal act Triptykon are pleased to announce the highly anticipated release of their “Requiem” opus on May 15th, 2020 via Prowling Death Records/Century Media Records worldwide.

Requiem (Live at Roadburn 2019) marks the bombastic conclusion of a project over 30 years in the making: The legendary Celtic Frost/Triptykon “Requiem” performed for the first time in its entirety and with full classical orchestration by the Dutch Metropole Orkest.

Tom Gabriel Warrior says:

We are truly, deeply delighted to be able to have been granted the opportunity to finish this unique project begun by Celtic Frost so many years ago, and to finally share the completed recording with the world. This album is the result of two years of passionate work, and it marks the conclusion of a musical idea first considered over three decades ago. Moreover, this “Requiem” also represents drummer Hannes Grossmann’s first recording with Triptykon, and we are very proud to feature him in such an extraordinary context.

It was an incredible honour to collaborate with the Metropole Orkest, conductor Jukka Iisakkila, guest vocalist Safa Heraghi, and the esteemed Roadburn festival. In fact, there couldn’t have been a better partner for the “Requiem” project than Roadburn.

We are releasing this “Requiem” album in memoriam of our deeply missed friends and collaborators Martin Eric Ain and HR Giger.

Few have ever heard Triptykon like this, so epic and so grand. The collaboration with the Metropole Orkest paying absolute dividends. Don’t be fooled by the three track offering here, this is a momentous effort that lasts around 46 minutes. The majority of that coming from the middle track ‘Grave Eternal’, the one new effort from the legends.

Before that though it’s a Celtic Frost classic with Rex Irae from 1987’s ‘Into the Pandemonium. A truly haunting experience. The female vocals absolutely soar with splendour and work brilliantly in tandem with Warrior’s commanding voice. It’s chilling stuff on par with the latter track, Winter. First appearing on 2006’s Monotheist by Celtic Frost. Soft and morose, it’s a delightful finish to such a momentous offering.

Of course, as previously mentioned the main draw for many will be the middle 32+ minute portion called Grave Eternal. It is as majestic and imposing as you might expect, the crawl of doomy heaviness mixed with airy orchestrations spread wide and far. A sonic treat for the ears, it really takes its time and constantly ripples with new life, shifting tone at regular intervals.

This unique and ground-breaking release is available in the following formats:

– Special Edition CD + DVD Mediabook
– Ltd. Gatefold LP + DVD (With LP-Booklet and 2x poster)
Unlimited black 180g. vinyl and selected ltd. coloured editions!
– Standard CD Jewelcase
– Ltd. Deluxe Artbook with coloured LP + CD + DVD + coloured 7Inch (With bonus track, score book of 60 pages, 3x poster, artprint and photocard)
– Digital album

Triptykon – Requiem Full Track Listing:

1. Rex Irae
2. Grave Eternal
3. Winter

Links

Shop