CELTIC FROST mainman Tom Gabriel Fischer has issued the following update:

"Sorcerer's Apprentice

Last August, I began working as an assistant to HR Giger and his wife, Carmen.

In the course of my work for Giger, I spent this past Monday at the stunning Giger Museum in Gruyères in the French part of Switzerland, together with Carmen and André, one of the other assistants. We were there to discuss the events planned for the occasion of the ten-year anniversary of the museum in June 2008. It was a very long day, and before we embarked on the two-hour drive back to Zurich in the cold and rainy night, Carmen invited me to complete my collection of Giger books from the stocks of the museum shop.

I am extremely hesitant in situations like these, because I know that Giger's immense generosity has been taken advantage of unfairly far too many times in the past. I view my work for Giger not as a chance to gain as much as possible from him but rather as an opportunity to reciprocate for his friendship and his incredible mentorship of our band at a time when hardly anybody else believed in us. But Carmen insisted, and even though I am still looking for quite a few Giger books, I eventually took only two, a softback and a hardback.

We arrived back at Giger's home sometime before 1am on Tuesday morning. I intended to leave for my own home immediately, but Carmen took my books and said she would ask Giger to sign them. Again, even though I know that Giger is usually awake and active throughout the night, I was very reluctant about disturbing him. The books were gift enough as it was. Once more, Carmen insisted and disappeared with the books. When she came back, she said: 'Look in the hardback. He hardly ever writes something like that.' I was stunned. Giger had penned a deeply touching personal dedication which left me utterly speechless.

I have admired his art ever since I was a child. He is truly one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever known. And the same applies to Carmen and his American agent, Les Barany."