CRADLE OF FILTH — Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder: The Life and Crimes of Gilles de Rais (review)

CRADLE OF FILTH — Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder: The Life and Crimes of Gilles de Rais album cover

Album · 2008 · Gothic Metal

4/5 · 2011-07-27
arcane-beautiful

After Thornography, Cradle fans (like myself) were left pondering...is this the new Cradle sound, will this always be the case. And of course our doubts were led to be nothing but nonsense and poppycock.

Cradle have always done interesting things with their sound, either for the better or worse...and this is for the better.

When this album was coming out, I was incredibly excited (although I'm always excited to hear anything these guys put out). I was also incredibly fascinated to hear the album was a concept album...about Gilles De Rais...one of the most barberic and sadist serial killers to ever have existed. Now the concept is a big focus on this album, in fact, out of all their concept albums, this is the album thats the most conceptual...and it works so well to its advantage. The story is just so interesting and amazing, that you can't help but wan't to listen to it more. It's kind of like a really epic movie...with this as its soundtrack (I wonder why a movie hasn't been made about Mr De Rais yet...would be a great horror movie). Dani's lyrics, being more conceptually honed, really are amazing, and paints this story with such a mad dark gothic world. The artwork also helps alot too.

Now sound wise, the album is dramatically different too Thronography. Lets just say those black metal elements are back. Now some of the poistive sides of Thornography still rub off on this album, especially the focus on the gothic elements. But the album also has its own original spark, with the use of choirs and what have you not. It's a new sound for Cradle I thought (Darkly Darkly sadly seemed to move away from this sound). I also feel that even though Dani's voice isn't what it used to be, this album prooved what his voice still can do (their were moments where I literally nearly shat myself, his voice is that good). Their is also a good amount of guitar solos on this album, which really isn't a major Cradle highlight.

The album also contains some really cool narration from Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley, playing the part of Gilles De Rais. Although, usually Doug speaks with his Pinhead voice on Cradle narrations, but on this album, he seemed more relaxed, which was cool, cause don't forget Mr. De Rais was human. But even Doug speaking normally is creepy, in fact maybe even more creepier than Pinhead (I love Hellraiser by the way, in fact, Cradle got me into these movies).

The album also just sounds like the band really cared for this album. No stone is left unturned, every bit is pretty eye opening. Concept wise, Dani also seems to have really focused on this story, mainly because it shows his complete fascination with this man.

1. In Grandeur & Frankincense Devilment Stirs - Nice intro with some great narration. Great start to the album. 8/10

2. Shat Out Of Hell - This is one of their most perfect songs in ages. It's so so exciting...and incedibly epic. I love how the lyrics are a summary of the whole tale. 10/10

3. The Death Of Love - This song is very King Diamond (apparently the album was widely influenced by him). A beautiful song thats arranged amazingly. The female vocals are really pretty too. I love the twists and turns, and the lyrics are amazing. 10/10

4. The 13th Caeser - An amazing chorus, with a great build up to it. Reminds me of The Damned, with the punky feel with gothic stabs. 10/10

5. Tiffauges - Great build up throughout, and it's very eerie. 9/10

6. Tragic Kingdom - Great intro. Their is some really kick ass riffs in this song. I love the ending too, I think it builds up to an amazing climax. 10/10

7. Sweetest Maleficia - Great guitar solo in the middle. I love the dark tones throughout. The lyrics are pretty interesting...as always. 9/10

8. Honey & Sulphur - Probabbly one of my favourite Cradle chorus', and the choir only adds to its wonder. I love how the song builds up, and how recognizable patters that you love hearing come back. 10/10

9. Midnight Shadows Crawl To Darken Counsel With Life - This has to be their darkest song in a long time, probabbly since Damnation & A Day. I love the arrangements and the build up throughout. The riffs harken back to their earlier stuff too, which is a really cool thing to hear. 10/10

10. Darkness Incarnate - I love the punky feel. Great lyrics. The ending is pretty epic too, although it could have been cut down a little. 9/10

11. 10 Leagues Beneath Contempt - The most melodic song on the album. This song goes back to the slower gothicy moments. It's quite dramatic too. 9/10

12. Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder - Very evil, with some really epic twists and turns. Great ending to the album. 9/10

13. Corpseflower - A nice evil ending. 9/10

CONCLUSION: I wouldn't say this album is a masterpiece...but it's so so so close. Not alot of people got this album, but I did, and I will always love it.

8.4/10