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Tom G. Warrior of Triptykon Comments on Passing of H.R. Giger

Posted in Whathaveyou on May 13th, 2014 by JJ Koczan

Noted for his landmark design contributions to the Alien franchise and for his pioneering a dark surrealist aesthetic, Swiss artist H.R. Giger passed away yesterday at the age of 74. He’s recognized in metal circles for, in addition to a requisite poster on the wall, having worked with Celtic Frost and Triptykon on some of underground music’s most landmark cover art. Today, Celtic Frost/Triptykon frontman Tom G. Warrior (né Fischer2010 interview here) offers a remembrance for Giger, with whom he worked professionally and collaborated for many years.

The Obelisk offers condolences to Warrior for what’s clearly a deeply personal loss and to Giger‘s family, friends, fans and the many inspired by his work.

From the PR wire:

“I fight the impending lure of belated sleep
For fear of waking up and you are gone”

Triptykon, My Pain, 2010

For the first time in 74 years, last night was a night not illuminated by the indescribable light that was H.R. Giger.

H.R. Giger became our mentor, against all odds, when we, somewhat audaciously, first established contact with him some 30 years ago. At a time when almost everybody ridiculed, ignored, or even obstructed the music the then almost completely unknown Swiss underground band Hellhammer was creating, Giger listened to us, talked to us, and gave us a chance. Not least at a time when he was at one of many peaks of his path.

A little more than a year later, his exceptionally stunning art made what might be one of Celtic Frost’s most important albums, To Mega Therion, even more significant. Other links to Giger’s universe also manifested themselves, almost as if it was predestined.

Eventually, after many more years, the mentorship became a friendship. It was a friendship and a personal connection I valued infinitely, and it also included his wonderful wife, Carmen, and many other remarkable people that were part of his universe.

When Celtic Frost came to an end so acrimoniously in 2008, H.R. Giger and his wife were among those who witnessed my uncontained despair and stood by me. That Giger subsequently agreed to collaborate with my new group, Triptykon, and thus enabled us to release our first album, Eparistera Daimones, with one of his most dramatic paintings on the cover meant the world to me.

It apparently pleased Giger, too. He told me so on several occasions, and he completely stunned me in October 2011 by proposing that we continue the collaboration between him and Triptykon. I would have never asked for such a thing, because I never would have wanted to appear insatiable. He brushed such reservations aside, and it was his mentorship, friendship, and art that enabled us, once again, to release a second album on which music and cover art formed a seamless symbiosis. Only a few weeks ago, he held the result in his hands and loved it.

Regardless of anything I may write about H.R. Giger, however, none of these words will ever be able to truly, accurately describe him as a person and as a friend. It is utterly inconceivable to imagine a world without his wit, his perception, his genius, his horizon, his determination, his humour, his friendship, and his immeasurable kindness. And yet, we are now left in exactly such a world.

Tom Gabriel Warrior for Triptykon, May 13, 2014

www.triptykon.net
www.facebook.com/triptykonofficial

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