Martin Eric Ain of Celtic Frost passes away
Bassist Martin Eric Ain of Celtic Frost and Hellhammer passed away on September 21 after suffering a heart attack. Ain's friend Jan Graber was riding a train with Ain when Ain "suddenly collapsed when he switched to a different tram." Graber said he was not aware of any serious health problems that Ain may have had. The bassist was 50.
Long time bandmate Tom Gabriel Fischer stated "I am deeply affected by his 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."
Ain joined Switzerland's Hellhammer between the band's second and third demo, and recorded on that demo as well as the band's sole EP. After Hellhammer fell apart, Fischer and Ain formed the progressive thrash/death/black/avant-garde metal band Celtic Frost. Celtic Frost released several daring and groundbreaking albums, including the seminal thrash EP Emperor's Return, the experimental Into The Pandemonium which featured unusual covers and song arrangements, and the avant-garde, complex reunion album Monotheist. Hear some of Ain's recordings below.