Musical Ramblings: Filth's new Fall release
Cradle of Filth
Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder
It wouldn't be a fall issue of the Interrobang without a Cradle of Filth review, would it? Well, the band actually released nothing new last year, so two years without any mention of them in these pages actually seems wrong.
After 2006's most disappointing release yet, Thornography, (which was the follow up to 2004's less than stellar Nymphetamine), I actually had little faith in this release. Over the past 10 years or so, I've been a first day of release COF purchaser, but I didn't even bother picking this up until I found the deluxe edition at a good price (FYI: this band has been notorious for releasing an album and then re-releasing half a year or so later with bonus stuff, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that the band released both versions at the same time). After a week-and-a-half with the disc, I'm happy to say that this is the best release from the band in quite a long time.
The CD is a concept album based on the life of “sainted war hero, sexual deviant, aristocratic playboy, Satanic serial killer” Gilles de Rais. He was a follower of Joan of Arc,... ... but after she was executed he turned to a life of darkness. Most times, concept albums aren't great because the overall feel of the music and/or lyrics just don't flow. On this release not only do the lyrics paint an insightful look at this forgotten monster, but the disc as a whole flow very well. Even if you take two of the songs that were left off the album and placed only on the second disc (due to CD time constraints, I'm guessing), they fit perfectly with the album. The band even suggests in the liner notes where to listen to these songs so the story and the music keep the intended chronology.
Speaking of the music, the band is back to true form with insanely fast blast beats, double bass action, furious and meaty (and catchy) riffs and bone chilly screams courtesy of vocalist Dani Filth. The only song that really slows down the album is “The Death of Love,” but seeing how this track is the second song on the disc, it really doesn't hamper anything.
The second disc on the deluxe edition has the two aforementioned songs that are a part of the story, two of the bonus songs from the “Thornography” deluxe edition that was released last year, demos and live tracks.
If you want a good idea of what to expect, download the tune “Shat Out of Hell” or “Tragic Kingdom.” If you're familiar with the band, I'd say that the release is a cross between “Cruelty and the Beast” and “Midian.” I'm happy the band is back in true form and this is becoming one of my favourite releases of the year.
Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder
It wouldn't be a fall issue of the Interrobang without a Cradle of Filth review, would it? Well, the band actually released nothing new last year, so two years without any mention of them in these pages actually seems wrong.
After 2006's most disappointing release yet, Thornography, (which was the follow up to 2004's less than stellar Nymphetamine), I actually had little faith in this release. Over the past 10 years or so, I've been a first day of release COF purchaser, but I didn't even bother picking this up until I found the deluxe edition at a good price (FYI: this band has been notorious for releasing an album and then re-releasing half a year or so later with bonus stuff, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that the band released both versions at the same time). After a week-and-a-half with the disc, I'm happy to say that this is the best release from the band in quite a long time.
The CD is a concept album based on the life of “sainted war hero, sexual deviant, aristocratic playboy, Satanic serial killer” Gilles de Rais. He was a follower of Joan of Arc,... ... but after she was executed he turned to a life of darkness. Most times, concept albums aren't great because the overall feel of the music and/or lyrics just don't flow. On this release not only do the lyrics paint an insightful look at this forgotten monster, but the disc as a whole flow very well. Even if you take two of the songs that were left off the album and placed only on the second disc (due to CD time constraints, I'm guessing), they fit perfectly with the album. The band even suggests in the liner notes where to listen to these songs so the story and the music keep the intended chronology.
Speaking of the music, the band is back to true form with insanely fast blast beats, double bass action, furious and meaty (and catchy) riffs and bone chilly screams courtesy of vocalist Dani Filth. The only song that really slows down the album is “The Death of Love,” but seeing how this track is the second song on the disc, it really doesn't hamper anything.
The second disc on the deluxe edition has the two aforementioned songs that are a part of the story, two of the bonus songs from the “Thornography” deluxe edition that was released last year, demos and live tracks.
If you want a good idea of what to expect, download the tune “Shat Out of Hell” or “Tragic Kingdom.” If you're familiar with the band, I'd say that the release is a cross between “Cruelty and the Beast” and “Midian.” I'm happy the band is back in true form and this is becoming one of my favourite releases of the year.
