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Celtic Frost - Bassist Martin Eric Ain Passes Away


According to reports, Celtic Frost bassist and co-founder Martin Eric Stricker has passed away yesterday after a heart attack. The legendary musician formed Celtic Frost with guitarist/vocalist Tom Gabriel Fischer in Zürich, Switzerland, in June 1984 in the ashes of the band Hellhammer, where he also played. He was 50 years old. R.I.P. and condolences to his friends and family.

Tom Gabriel Fischer has shared this picture of Martin on his blog today with the following caption: "Martin Eric Ain, pictured during Celtic Frost's Monotheist album photo shoot in Zurich, Switzerland, on February 11, 2006. (Photo by Tom Gabriel Fischer)."

He later posted a picture of him, drummer Reed St. Mark and Martin Eric Ain: "'The sands of time will never run, for an immortal dead man'Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, Visions Of Mortality, 1984, lyrics by Martin Eric Ain.

"With original Celtic Frost drummer Reed St. Mark (centre) and Martin Eric Ain (right) at New York City's BB King Blues Club, on September 15, 2006.

"I am deeply affected by Martin Eric Ain's passing. Our relationship was very complex and definitely not free of conflicts, but Martin's life and mine were very closely intertwined, since we first met in 1982. My life will be painfully incomplete without his existence. The above photo was taken on the occasion of Celtic Frost's second of two consecutive concerts in New York, at the start of the group's first North American tour in 17 years. Reed St. Mark and I had maintained contact and also met sporadically following Celtic Frost's original termination in early 1993. But this was the first time all three members of the classic Celtic Frost line-up met since working together in the 1980s. The three of us would meet one more time, when Celtic Frost returned to tour North America with Type O Negative in April and May of 2007. Today, when Reed and I talked about Martin's death on the phone, Reed said to me: 'Now, there's only the two of us.' It completely broke my heart."



Bassist King ov Hell (Gorgoroth, God Seed, I, Abbath and more) is mourning the loss of his friend and posted on his Facebook page: "I just learned that my dear friend Martin Ain passed away at age 50. His work with Celtic Frost and Hellhammer has been a huge inspiration for me and 1000s of others. Rest in peace my friend!"

[Also thanks to Marcel Hubregtse for the tip!]


Source: 20min.ch
Band profile: Celtic Frost
Posted: 22.10.2017 by BloodTears


Comments

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Comments: 27   Visited by: 202 users
22.10.2017 - 17:43
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Staff
A dying god... Coming into human flesh.

I was and still am floored by that song since I heard it when I was 13. It left a mark on me since I was realizing my interest in metal dealt mostly on the much heavier and slower type.

Too young, dude. This fucking sucks.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass

Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.

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22.10.2017 - 17:49
Warman
Erotic Stains
This really sucks. Without a doubt one of my favourite bassists. Celtic Frost have had a huge impact on me. Saw them live 11 years ago, still one of the most memorable shows I've attended.
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22.10.2017 - 17:51
BloodTears
ANA-thema
Elite
Written by X-Ray Rod on 22.10.2017 at 17:43

A dying god... Coming into human flesh.

I was and still am floored by that song since I heard it when I was 13. It left a mark on me since I was realizing my interest in metal dealt mostly on the much heavier and slower type.

Too young, dude. This fucking sucks.

Same. I wasn't 13, I was older but I remember that that was one of the first CF songs I listened to and I thought "that's some heavy shit and I need more!"

Monotheist is still one of the best metal albums of all time if you ask me. I also like To Mega Therion but Monotheist came out when I was starting to listen to metal and it changed things for me. It was perfect timing and there's nothing like it.

This is very sad... I'm gonna blast Monotheist now in his honor.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.

My Instagram
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22.10.2017 - 17:53
VIG
Account deleted
This is horifically sad for me. Monotheist is my all time favorite album. A very special band for me, they changed my life 2 years ago when I heard Circle Of The Tyrants, and I was like "Holy shit, fuck this." I immediately became a fan of the more extreme side of metal. From there I got into what I listen to now. Thanks so much for the awesome music, Martin (and Tom).

A dying god coming into human flesh...

Rest In Peace, Martin
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22.10.2017 - 18:05
Chainer
Witch Hunter Gen
Like I few others I was really impacted by seeing the video for A dying god on Headbangers Ball many years ago. Purchasing Monotheist is the most identifiable moment where extreme metal became a very real part of my life.

Terrible news. Condolences to his friends and family.
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Written by Dangerboner on 02.11.2009 at 08:11

Everything he doesn't like is metalcore. Britney Spears, Elton John, Michael Moore, and green beans are also metalcore, in case you guys didn't know.

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22.10.2017 - 19:48
BitterCOld
The Ancient One
Admin
Sad news indeed.
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get the fuck off my lawn.

Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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22.10.2017 - 20:38
WinterMadness
Well that decides it, I'm blasting Monotheist this afternoon.
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22.10.2017 - 22:32
garmling
Account deleted
Awful news! so sad to hear that... RIP Martin
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22.10.2017 - 22:37
Sang Dalang Abu
Yeah.. remember my collection: Monotheist.. Respect this guy, R.I.P.
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23.10.2017 - 03:53
Lanthros
Wow. Im just plain floored.
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23.10.2017 - 04:54
Autistic.Pagan
Rest In Power!
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What is the difference between the man who fools you from the pulpit, and the other man who fools you from the platform?
Both of them seek to obtain power over you - To rule your mind, control your property interests or labor power.
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23.10.2017 - 05:58
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Elite
Respect where respect's due.
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Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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23.10.2017 - 06:31
R.I.P.
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See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently, like rain.
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23.10.2017 - 10:34
BetulaObscura
It is always a huge loss when talented (and relatively young) men are gone. But sooner or later... everyone has to die.
Lucky we can still enjoy his heritage, achievements and performances. Celtic Frost music will live as long as we remember it (and listen to it).
R. I. P.
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"Inspired by the future of the past"
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23.10.2017 - 13:04
chivo_aic
Requiescat in pace... Like many others, Celtic Frost was an inspiration for me being interested in black/extreme metal. Monotheist is still one of the heaviest and darkest albums out there, and A dying god was a video that really impressed me when I was a novice in black metal
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23.10.2017 - 14:51
VIG
Account deleted
Written by BetulaObscura on 23.10.2017 at 10:34

But sooner or later... everyone has to die.

He was quite young, and I don't think this is how you or anyone should look at this.
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23.10.2017 - 15:32
BetulaObscura
Written by [user id=159927] on 23.10.2017 at 14:51

Written by BetulaObscura on 23.10.2017 at 10:34

But sooner or later... everyone has to die.

He was quite young, and I don't think this is how you or anyone should look at this.

Why not?
I do not know how old are you but... [OK, according to your profile you are 15 years old] if you want to do something, just do because you will not live forever. That is a fact. You are young. He was 50 years old. He was not young. He spent half a century on this world. I am sure he has time to accomplishment his passions and dreams. If not, well... many died and die at their 20's or 30's. Much younger then he was. Life is an endless road... You may live and die after 10000 years and still feel unfulfilled. Everything is in your hands.
I am 37 right now and believe or not, I can die right now without feeling regrets.
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"Inspired by the future of the past"
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23.10.2017 - 15:43
VIG
Account deleted
Written by BetulaObscura on 23.10.2017 at 15:32

I do not know how old are you but... [OK, according to your profile you are 15 years old] if you want to do something, just do because you will not live forever. That is a fact. You are young. He was 50 years old. He was not young. He spent half a century on this world. I am sure he has time to accomplishment his passions and dreams. If not, well... many died and die at their 20's or 30's. Much younger then he was. Life is an endless road... You may live and die after 10000 years and still feel unfulfilled. Everything is in your hands.
I am 37 right now and believe or not, I can die right now without feeling regrets.

But we wouldn't know if he had no regrets or not. Also, most people should die of age, but in this day this is not the case for a large percentage of people (heart attacks, cancer, terrorist attacks, etc.) I'm 15, maybe I could die right now without feeling regrets, you never know. This is not my point. Whether you can die or not without regrets does not mean you should think: "Well, he was gonna die sooner or later."
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23.10.2017 - 18:59
BetulaObscura
Written by [user id=159927] on 23.10.2017 at 15:43

Written by BetulaObscura on 23.10.2017 at 15:32

I do not know how old are you but... [OK, according to your profile you are 15 years old] if you want to do something, just do because you will not live forever. That is a fact. You are young. He was 50 years old. He was not young. He spent half a century on this world. I am sure he has time to accomplishment his passions and dreams. If not, well... many died and die at their 20's or 30's. Much younger then he was. Life is an endless road... You may live and die after 10000 years and still feel unfulfilled. Everything is in your hands.
I am 37 right now and believe or not, I can die right now without feeling regrets.

But we wouldn't know if he had no regrets or not. Also, most people should die of age, but in this day this is not the case for a large percentage of people (heart attacks, cancer, terrorist attacks, etc.) I'm 15, maybe I could die right now without feeling regrets, you never know. This is not my point. Whether you can die or not without regrets does not mean you should think: "Well, he was gonna die sooner or later."

I never wrote that he has or has not any regrets. I do not know it. I was writing from my point of view. Not his. My point was: live is short. We have to act, do something because we will not live forever. Martin Eric Ain left many good music and as long as we listen to it he will live forever.
Some people say that every death is a tragedy. Maybe they are right. But in other hand death is natural. Does it mean that our lives are tragic? Or maybe everything what is natural is not tragic? Quite philosophical questions... Anyway, like I wrote in my previous comment:
"Lucky we can still enjoy his heritage, achievements and performances. Celtic Frost music will live as long as we remember it (and listen to it)".
R. I. P.
----
"Inspired by the future of the past"
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23.10.2017 - 19:49
VIG
Account deleted
Written by BetulaObscura on 23.10.2017 at 18:59

Some people say that every death is a tragedy. Maybe they are right. But in other hand death is natural. Does it mean that our lives are tragic? Or maybe everything what is natural is not tragic?

Every death is a tragedy. They are right. It's natural, but tragic. How would that mean our lives are tragic?
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24.10.2017 - 12:54
nikarg
Staff
RIP Martin. Eternally grateful for leaving us To Mega Therion and Monotheist to remember you by...
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24.10.2017 - 13:37
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Elite
Written by nikarg on 24.10.2017 at 12:54

To Mega Therion

I don't own the original but as far as I can remember it is Dominic Steiner on bass on that album and Martin only co-wrote one or two songs of album before he temporarily left the band.
----
Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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24.10.2017 - 14:10
nikarg
Staff
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 24.10.2017 at 13:37

Written by nikarg on 24.10.2017 at 12:54

To Mega Therion

but as far as I can remember it is Dominic Steiner on bass on that album and Martin only co-wrote one or two songs of album before he temporarily left the band.

I don't own the original either because I got into them much later, so it's very likely things have happened as you remember
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28.10.2017 - 15:16
@gent_-_orange
50 is way too young, rest in peace.
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28.10.2017 - 16:55
nikarg
Staff
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28.10.2017 - 17:26
Neoxx07
So sad men, i never expect this. rip martin
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02.11.2017 - 03:33
VIG
Account deleted
Written by nikarg on 28.10.2017 at 16:55

Tom Gabriel Fischer's obituary.

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