Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder (2CD)

I'll start by saying that this quite possibly a contender for metal album of the year - any of you that had thought Cradle had lost it after their last 2-3 albums please read on.

For me - Vempire, Dusk and her Embrace and Cruelty and the Beast were by far cradles best efforts - Midian and all subsequent releases didn't cut it for me and I'd essentially lost faith in the band. This release changes all that.

Yup it really is that good.

Lets start with the lineup - they have finally recruited a drummer who can fill Nic B's shoes. New boy Martin Skaroupka was clearly influenced by Nics playing (without sounding like a ripoff) and makes the whole band just gel like they haven't for years. Technically the band has not sounded so accomplished since..... Well possibly ever.
Paul A's playing is at times completely mind blowing and the new keyboardist does a good job. Not as good as Damien or Lector but decent all the same.
Though the number of "movements" per song can be overwhelming but that's what I loved about this band in the first place - less verse,chorus,verse is certainly a move I've appreciate.

Subject matter for the album is based on the life and actions of an aristocratic serial killing occult obsessed 15th century Frenchman named Gilles de Rais. Its another concept album like Cruelty and Damnanation and a Day, which is something cradle seem to do rather well, and certainly lends to their theatrical grandiose nature.
In terms of comparisons to their earlier works its a bit of a tricky one - I've heard people compare it to Cruelty and Midian which I suppose is just about relevant but I'd say its slightly more akin to Damnation and a Day - just far higher quality with echoes (thanks to the new drummer) of Cruelty.

All in all a fantastic return to form which has certainly revived my hopes for a band I'd long since lost faith in.

Did you just read what the guy over said?

What he said! I used to be a black metal purist, hating everything that had to do with mixing up the genres and experminenting. Vempire and cruelty and the beast were by far the best albums and by the time cradle released their ep "from the cradle to the grave" , something had changed. The syntheseizer was goofy and too cozy and the focus seemed to shift towards greater audiences.

Their last album, thornography was a serious slap in my face, and i made the deciscion to never buy another of their albums again. How wrong can you be?

This is not a return to the roots, neither is it the comeback that cradle deserves. But it's good enough to get my attention! First and foremost this album is alot of fun! You need to throw all ideas about what cradle of filth really is about away and just enjoy this from the start to its malignant end. I used to hate ridicilous songs with "cute refrains" and clean voice singing, like they have in other neo-metal bands. I am ashamed, but also a little proud to say that i quite enjoyed it this time. It doesn't matter that its a little out of their old league, because goodspeed on the devil's thunder is as much of a metal album as an injection of music straight into your blood. The renessaince-like atmosphere, the haunting angelic choirs, the merciless drum blast, the unforgiving melodies...and the voice of gille all make this the most interesting cradle of filth album to date. I will not say that it's the best or that it's something for everyone. But i have listened to it over 50 times the last week because it made me smile. It's as close to a great cradle album you're going to come in a while.

If you have given up cradle of filth, you should definately give it a listen, you might be surprised. If you love cradle anyway, why are you even reading this?

4 Stars from me for a good effort and a very well written album.

In a nutshell,I have been a big cradle fan for years and since damnation and a day came out i thought that was one of the best albums ever and they would never top it, and they didnt until this album.u must buy it!cradle are the best concept album writers in music and the lyrical and musical aspirations of this album are amazing, iv listened 2 it at least once a day, back 2 back, since it came out.and like most other cradle albums i now know it word 4 word, its highly addictive!right up there with reign in blood and black labels mafia and all the great albums.

This album is indeed a return to Cradle's previous 'feel' in comparison to Thornography. The chilling, foreboding atmoshpere set by the first track is maintained through out the album and the occassional use of opratic male vocals (though not from Dani!) adds great effect.
The songs are all dark, heavy and forceful- with a noticable return of the use of graphic imagery and satanic references.
However, the reason I didint give this album a 5 star rating is that it pales in comaprison to cruelty. Firstly, as Dani said himself, the 'height of Gille's madness' if portrayed in 'Honey and sulphur'. This is an excellent track, but its only halfway through the album and as such the intensity seems to trail off abit afterwards, though the mood becomes a lot darker. Therefore, there is no 'epic ending', no 'Bathory aria' moment or 'lustmord'-like tribute to the killer. Infact the album trails off with an short orcestral track.
Another problem was that it felt a bit toned down- Crulety seemed to glorify Bathory, whereas Gilles does get looked down upon somewhat.
All in all, a brilliant album that is well worth getting- but Cruelty fans may see some flaws