Only Death is Real: An Illustrated History of Hellhammer and Early Celtic Frost, 1981-1985

by Thomas Gabriel Fischer, Martin Eric Ain, Nocturno Culto (Introduction)

This formidable oversized hardcover runs 288 pages (including a 32-page color section), and combines hundreds of unseen early Hellhammer and Celtic Frost photos with a vast treasure trove of artwork and memorabilia. A substantial written component by Fischer details his upbringing on the outskirts of Zurich, Switzerland, and the hardships and triumphs he faced bringing the visions of his groundbreaking bands Hellhammer and eventually Celtic Frost to reality. In addition, the book includes an introduction by Nocturno Culto of Norwegian black metal act Darkthrone, and a foreword by noted metal author Joel McIver.

Without question Only Death Is Real goes farther than any other source in exploring the origins of underground heavy metal. The wealth of visual information is astounding, both in terms of documenting early 1980s headbangers and exposing the still-relevant imagery of the first Hellhammer and Celtic Frost photo sessions. On top of that, the written chapters combine Tom Fischer’s often shocking stories with lengthy quotes from Martin Eric Ain and the other main Hellhammer members, explaining in intimately human terms how extreme metal was born.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Art, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2010

Reviews

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hellhammer was an extreme metal band from Switzerland, active only for few funny years, from 1981 to 1984. But as it happened, Hellhammer’s demo tapes ended up in hands of some Norwegian teenagers… And the rest is history known now as a second wave of black metal.

Written by Thomas Gabriel Fischer (better known as Tom G. Warrior), the man behind Hellhammer (later Celtic Frost), this book is extremely detailed and gripping view of the bands difficult journey in early 80s Switzerland. Filled with hundreds of photos from the era, Only Death Is Real makes an excellent read to anyone who’s into metal music. I’d recommend it to someone interested in how music business has evolved in past decades as well; in the era of streaming media such as YouTube and Spotify, the amount of effort to get the word out of your band in the 80s without internet was quite something else.

All in all, this one's worth the time.

[Maarten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes you back to the early eighties, the embryonic growth of Hellhammer, its culmination into Celtic Frost and, in a broader perspective, the first steps of black metal in its real sense.
Written from memory and heart, Thomas Gabriel "Warrior" Fischer describes his youth in the Grave Hill bunker in a way that the reader can easily identify him/herself with the young man. As reader, you are sucked into his (hi)story, which is much more than an objective account of events. It's a (Morbid) Tale about rebellion, struggle, despair and perseverance.
A few weeks from now, I will see Tom live with Triumph of Death. I am certain the experience will be much more profound now.

[HighwayCorsair · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Totally essential for all Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, and even early 1980s metal fans. Fischer is an incredibly evocative writer and even the most mundane passages are written in a way that is compelling, turning discussions about British metal bands like Saxon or Aragorn into more gripping form than I could have imagined even as a big fan myself, and elevating the drama of the early years of the band in a way that another writer could not have. His sincerity bleeds forth in every sentence, and the additional quotes from other early members of the band complete the narrative. The compiled pictures are also amazing. If anything, essential is underselling it!

[Alejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very compelling read with great pictures, you can really feel the struggle of Tom Warrior to make it, first with Hellhammer and later with the beginning of Celtic Frost. The only thing I found irksome are the constant remarks of not having computer or internet back in the day, we get it, some of us also remember those days. But all in all, an excellent book.

[Alex Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the greatest band autobiography I've ever read. Not only does it tell you the whole story of hellhammer but also is a great insight into what it was like to be a metalhead in the early 1980s. It really is astounding to see what an impact this band gave at such an early stage in the history of this kind of music and whether you're a fan or not I really would recommend the book

[Yoruk Ilhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great nostalgia with denim and leathers with a twist of first wave of black metal. Photos for every archivist who is into these subjects. Yes the guy is a little bir egomaniac, but hey, this is the foundation of Celtic Frost, so please shut up.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

METAL

[M.Dankiewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book captures Hellhammer’s impact on the black metal genre, revealing how their work laid the groundwork for the future bands we all know and love.

[Death Metal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about the early years of Hellhammer would be compelling for its content, written by the main composer of the band itself, but it also brings a mass-load of excellent photographs to the table, and is edited and written well such that there is no redundancy or off-topic woolgathering. Instead, we get a clear picture of the youth of Tom G. Warrior and his musical influences, as well as the shaping of his and Martin Ain's thought that led to the creation of the classic Hellhammer work "Apocalyptic Raids" and the early Celtic Frost material. Parts of this are quite poignant and well-stated, showing the conflict of youth and adulthood, especially when adulthood is broken and insane.

[Michael Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Death is Real is a profusely illustrated oral history of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost, covering the period 1981-85 with the release of Celtic Frost's debut Morbid Tales. Fischer recounts his miserable childhood, living in squalor with his mother (who was a smuggler of unmentioned contraband) a cat hoarder. Fischer describes growing up in a house befouled by animal waste, having his toys floating in cat piss. Heavy metal music becomes his escape in adolescence and he progresses from Black Sabbath Vol. 4, Uriah Heep, Zeppelin, and Rainbow to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (particularly Venom and Angel Witch) which was hugely influential on the nascent European black metal scene.

[Guy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty marvelous to quite literally witness the evolution of one of the most important musical acts of all time in conjunction with Fischer's emotionally theatrical narration. The contributions by Ain are particularly great as well. If reading this doesn't make you want to go rent a bunker and create aural impurity with some buddies, you're doing something wrong.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is killer for its comprehensive collection of photos and documentation of Hellhammer/early Celtic Frost. The descriptions offered by various members provide some insight, but rely really heavily on reminding the reader of how hard everything was before the internet and how easy the kids today have it. Great book for metal fans, though. Probably not for anybody else.

[Simon Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This proved a truly excellent way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in the recliner with a few tall cans of Pilsner Urquell. I only listened to Hellhammer and Celtic Frost for the next couple days, too.

It's a much better read than you might imagine, and a fine visual companion piece to Warrior's ridiculously entertaining memoir "Are You Morbid?".

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Being the same age as Tom, but living in Canada, I often felt the same way as he did - never really connecting with anyone who loved extreme music as much as me. I could really relate to his honesty and confusion in my youth. How I wish I would have connected with them in my youth through Penbangers. Fantastic book IMHO.

[Ridge Briel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that encapsulated the prototype of one of the most important bands in metal today. I loved browsing the photos, most especially the fanzine facsimiles at the end. I sincerely hope Tom Gabriel Fischer writes more books like this detailing Celtic Frost, Triptykon, and Apollyon Sun, among also his various contributions to other bands as well.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry Celtic Frost, but I just can't finish this book. I tried so hard, but reading about concert dates and line-up changes is just not that exciting. This book needs a little spice...

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tedious but interesting. Some great images and ephemera from an early purveyor of dark music.

[Ramakrishnan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

phenomenal history. absolutely mind blowing to read of the struggles faced by Tom g warrior and co...in building he'll hammer and then eventually Celtic frost

read it to be inspired