Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Furious Return To Form, 11 Oct 2008
Let's face it: Thornography is utter pants. Nothing of the sparkle that made previous albums, even up as recently as 2004's Nymphetamine, such joys to listen to. Not only that, but there was a bizarre attempt at commercialising their sound which just failed altogether. That album's reissue featured a few more promising tracks fitting of the deluxe edition's subtitle: harder, darker, faster. After a good few listens, I can happily say that Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder is a hundred times harder, darker and faster than Thornography, and then some.
The album is the band's third concept album, and their second about a serial killer (lest you count the devil as such, in which case it's three for three). Right off the bat, I'll address the one misfire on offer here: "The Death of Love" is an unfortunate piece stuck in the pivotal track-three slot, and could almost put you off the rest of the album. Thankfully, it is the only one example of that dreadful Thorno-era pandering rearing its unwanted head. Chorus aside, the song is actually quite good. But what of the Dusk... meets Midian sound we were promised by Paul Allender months ago? Read on...
He was half right, at least. I wouldn't say the album is stylistically similar to Dusk...And Her Embrace or Midian, but it terms of speed its a match for either. The fact that it sounds a lot like 2003's Damnation and a Day (another concept album) would lead me to think that the structure of a concept album works well for the band. The style on Thornography was more like a collection of songs than an actual album, if you know what I mean. Godspeed... actually feels coherent, thanks in no small measure to Doug Bradley's narration and the overarching theme of the record, place and people's names popping up all over the place.
As always, the lineup is different to that of the last album, by no means a bad thing. New drummer Martin Skaroupka is the band's most capable since Nicholas Barker left. Guest keyboardist Mark "De Sade" Newby-Robson really makes the tinkling feel like an integral part of the band again, his compositions being somewhere between Les Smith's and Martin Foul's in terms of quality. Certainly better than anything since Damnation. Sarah Jezebel Deva's Relentless Cockney Overtones are mercifully kept to a bare minimum here as well, another coup for fans.
Waffle dealt with, what of the songs? Well, "S**t Out Of Hell" really sets the tone with its immediate blastbeats and spiraling guitars, and features a great breakdown of sorts near the end. "Tiffauges" features musical themes that pop up again in the blistering "Tragic Kingdom". The pace barely lets up for the whole album. One thing I noticed while familiarising myself with the record was that Dani Filth's vocals have actually impressed me for the very first time, such is the high quality on offer here. "Honey and Sulphur" may well be the best song here, thanks to some seriously excellent riffs, though "Darkness Incarnate" gives it a run for its money for much the same reason. The closer "Corpseflower" ends things on an orchestral note for the first time since Damnation, another tie to the earlier concept album.
I imagine Godspeed on The Devil's Thunder will win back a fair portion of the fans put off by the last, shoddy album. Indeed, as a longtime fan myself, I feel a new enthusiasm about the band. Highly recommended.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A RETURN TO SYMPHONIC TEXTURES......., 8 Nov 2008
In a good year for Symphonic Black/Death Metal, with excellent releases from the likes of Haggard, Hollenthon, Therion and even a touch of the strings on Judas Priest's Nostradamus, this is another fine addition!
Far less gimmicky and WAY more intense, than the underwhelming Thornography, this is a return to the cinematic scope of 2003's Damnation And A Day. There is much in terms of bombastic orchestration to be enjoyed - provided by keyboard/synth but none the less impressive for this. In fact, it's rivalled only by the sterling keyboard work on Epica's Divine Conspiracy in it's recreation of a real orchestral style sound. Haunting choral work is also present to chill and unease.
The production is lavish, yet never loses sight that this IS Metal. Furious bass drums, harsh riffs and the demonic wails of Dani Filth liken comparison to Dimmu Borgir. The lyrics are dark and eloquently written, depicting the lifestory of a middle ages serial killer. Final exquisite touches are supplied by the superb vocal textures of Doug (Pinhead) Bradley on the narrative interludes. Class!
Special mention for the superb artwork!
This is so much better than the last album in every single department...
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5.0 out of 5 stars
creating a spiral of darkness, 18 Oct 2009
A Kid's Review
Cradle Of Filth are not a Black Metal Band nor are they a Death Metal band. They are Extreme Metal yes but they are there own genre of what they call Vampyric Metal.
Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder isn't just great it's fun to listen to. The sound gathers from 'Midian' and from the 'Nymphetemine' album to. The best songs are "Shat Out Of Hell", "The Death Of Love", "Honey And Sulphur", "The 13th Ceasar" and of course "Tragic Kingdom". The deadly heart-crunching blastbeats, the demonic whispers, the death relating croaks and the haunting screams are all there along with female vocals and Doug Bradley's Hellraiser Voice. Not only was this album released in 2008 it was released near Halloween 2008, coincidence or not? Why do i bring this up? Well let's just say that that Halloween was by far abnormal. This is a concept album based around Giles De Rais whom fought gallantly for Joan Of Arc until she was killed on a Pyre, After this he began to experiment and attempted to raise deadly demons. This is an Extreme Metal Masterpiece that of. 'Midian', and 'Dusk and her Embrace'.
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