Cradle of Filth - Thornography cd review

Cradle of Filth
THORNOGRAPHY
Roadrunner Records

One of England's darkest metal exports Cradle of Filth are back with a brilliant new release titled THORNOGRAPHY, which is their follow up to their 2004 grammy nominated release NYMPHETAMINE. NYMPHETAMINE sold 140,000 copies here in the U.S., which is a respectable number. What's more respectable is that the band has been around for 15 years, have released 7 cds in that span, and have never caved in the cravings of acheving greater success through selling out commercially. They have always remained true to their roots and that deserves to be acknowleged.

The songs that make up THORNOGRAPHY will take you on a journey exposing the listener to songs that have a pure traditionally based classical sound (pianos, etc.) to songs that will pummel your ears into submission - in the end creating a soundtrack that would work well within a theater type setting. THORNOGRAPHY is not a concept album, but that's the feeling the songs evoke. The heavier material on the release is done up in breakneck speed and a pulsating sound that features heavy double time bass drum beats and guitars that rip off driving rhythms and blistering lead guitar solos. At times, the guitar harmonies created evoke an Iron Maiden type sound. What's great about THORNOGRAPHY is that the band switches back and forth from being brutally heavy to softening things up with classical orchestra based interludes to break up the mayhem. It all goes down well. Vocally, singer Dani Filth can belt out razor like vocals on the heavy material and back down for a more melodic approach on the soft material.

Essential songs to check out are "Temptation" (which is a cover version of a song originally done by 80's band Heaven 17 and also features female vocals courtesy of Dirty Harry www.dirtyharryrocks.com ), "Dirge Inferno", "Tonight in Flames", and "Lovesick for Mina". "The Byronic Man" also features guest vocals by Ville Valor of H.I.M.). THORNOGRAPHY is a great listen from beginning to end. Cradle of Filth are long overdue for some heavy exposure. So far, outside of hardcore metal fans, the band has gone under the radar of the general music fan. One of their biggest supporters is Bam Margera of the tv shows Jackass and Viva La Bam. He's helped to expose the band to a wider audience and that's helped to raise the profile of the band. Based on the material on THORNOGRAPHY, Cradle of Filth are poised to become one of the top metal bands out there and make their profile a household name in the metal world. Definately snag this one if the material described above sounds like something you would be into. If you're a fan of metal, you owe to yourself to pick up THORNOGRAPHY. This is the real deal and crushes anything put out by bands, who claim they are metal, like Slipknot or Mushroomhead for example.

For more information check out www.cradleoffilth.com and www.roadrunnerrecords.com