Martin Eric Ain
Martin Eric Ain in 2006 (photo by Tom G. Warrior)

Celtic Frost's Martin Eric Ain, RIP (Tom G. Warrior & other artists pay tribute)

Martin Eric Ain
Martin Eric Ain in 2006 (photo by Tom G. Warrior)

Martin Eric Ain of Celtic Frost passed away on Saturday (10/21) after suffering a heart attack at age 50. His close friend Jan Graber confirmed the news to Swiss website 20 Minuten.

Martin was an on-and-off member of Celtic Frost throughout various phases of their career, and played bass and sang on most of their albums. He also played in pre-Celtic Frost band Hellhammer with band leader Thomas Gabriel Fischer, aka Tom G. Warrior. Tom took the above photo back in 2006 and posted it to Twitter after the news of Martin’s death. Tom also wrote on Facebook: “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.” He also posted a stream of “Totengott,” and wrote: “…lyrics and lead vocals by Martin Eric Ain, music by Tom Gabriel Warrior, recorded in December of 2005. This was the final musical collaboration between Martin and me, and it now will remain so forever.”

Several other artists posted tributes on social media, including Misanthrope, Samael, Lord Dying, Cradle of Filth, 1349, With the Dead, Satyricon, Goatwhore, Xibalba, Child Bite and Pictureplane. See those tributes below.

R.I.P Martin Eric Ain One of our idol died yesterday… The Extreme Metal scene is deeply sad today… "You, who like…

Posted by Misanthrope on Sunday, October 22, 2017

Words from Vorph following the tragic death of Martin Eric Ain.

Posted by SAMAEL on Monday, October 23, 2017

This was given to me by Martin and Tom g on the monotheist tour we did with Celtic Frost….it still remains one of my prized possessions….sleep well my friend…r.i.p. Martin Eric Ain- Sammy

Posted by GOATWHORE on Sunday, October 22, 2017

RIP Martin Eric Ain. Gonna be cranking Celtic Frost all day…

Posted by Lord Dying on Sunday, October 22, 2017

RIP Martin Eric Ain. A true visionary and icon for underground heavy music. A very sad and huge loss. #martinericain #hellhammer #celticfrost #onlydeathisreal #rip

Posted by With The Dead on Sunday, October 22, 2017

1349 are sorry to learn of the passing of MARTIN ERIC AIN, bassist of the legendary CELTIC FROST. 1349 first brought…

Posted by 1349 (Official) on Sunday, October 22, 2017

Today we mourn the loss of our friend and source of inspiration, Martin Eric Ain. Together with Tom G. Warrior, Martin…

Posted by Satyricon on Sunday, October 22, 2017

RIP Martin Eric Ain of Celtic FrostChild Bite & Phil Anselmo’s tribute to his work right here…

Posted by Child Bite on Sunday, October 22, 2017