If you were to ask any fans or bands within the close knit Black Metal community who they would consider to be the number one influence on the scene over the last twenty-five years, you would no doubt see one name reoccurring time and again. That name being Thomas Gabriel Fischer a.k.a Tom G Warrior.  Alongside the legendary Geordie trio Venom, it would be Tom G Warrior's first musical incarnation Hellhammer that would eventually spawn the Metal scene in Norway that would ultimately take their name from Venoms legendary second album.

Being the ever unconventional devil that he is, Tom G Warrior disbanded Hellhammer and formed Celtic Frost, who like his former band would also go on to influence many bands across the globe especially with their occult influenced, darker material. Then just when the band could do no wrong they released the 'Cold Lake' album, changing the band's direction dramatically and in doing so they managing to alienate almost their entire fan base. The ultimate demise of Celtic Frost wouldn't take a genius to predict.  However, rather than form another band in the same vein as his former band's Tom G Warrior focussed his energies on his then new band Apollyon Sun, an industrial project that left the music press slightly perplexed due to it's eclectic nature.  Then in 2001 came the news that all Heavy Metal fans had been waiting for.  The return of the mighty Celtic Frost, saw them returning with one of their best albums to date 'Monotheist', and along with a sublime stage show the band looked like they could once again do no wrong. Once again however internal differences within the band would see Tom G Warrior disperse the band and a sense of déjà vu fell over the proceedings that followed.

This rather conveniently brings us back to the present day, and never the one to sit on his laurels Tom G Warrior has returned with a brand new project called Triptykon. A project that derives its name from the religiously themed Tryptych paintings of the dark ages.  Within the metal heart of Triptykon Tom wanted to form a group immersed in history, occultism, human disintegration, religious fantatiscm and nihilism.  Having already released their debut album 'Eparistera Daimones' in March 2010 to much critical acclaim, it's quite a surprise that the band have released this new five track EP 'Shatter' so soon after. 

Which beggars the question "is this just another EP of tracks not good enough for the album put out as a simple cash in on the bands initial successes with 'Eparistera Daimones'?"

Well the only thing you can ever be certain of with Tom G Warrior is that you can expect the unexpected, which is why fans of the band's debut album will adore this dark beauty.  Opening with the title track 'Shatter' listeners are met with a rhythm section straight from hell as the bass sends vibrations down your spine.  Then just as you are staring to digest the distinctive growl of Tom G Warrior, you are met with a female chanteuse that takes the song to a totally different level.  What I've discovered about the Black Metal scene is there really aren't any rules and this is especially true of Triptykon, but personally I wouldn't have labelled them as Black Metal as their sound is bereft of the unrecognisable vocals favoured by so many in the genre.  I would however describe Triptykon's music as dark and disturbing and in places 'I Am The Twilight' is a fantastic number hugely reminiscent of Tom's former bands best bits.  'Crucifixus' on the other hand is a curious beast, an instrumental number that features a kind of ghostly chant that evokes misery and despair and wouldn't be out of place in an Italian horror film soundtrack.  The EP ends in fine style with two classic Celtic Frost live numbers 'Circle Of The Tyrants' and 'Dethroned Emperor' proving that reports of Triptykon being an outstanding live spectacle are not exaggerated.

As stated on the bands website.

"As Celtic Frost arose from Hellhammer's ashes, so arises Triptykon from Celtic Frost's ashes".

Enjoy the evolution....

www.myspace.com/triptykonofficial