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THE REVIEW
Without even having read the first paragraph of this review, someone, glancing at the cover and title, would have already prematurely asked, "Hey, but I already know the final part of that title there! So, those idiots of Cradle of Filth have released another lousy album?" Well, it’s not exactly like that since this is the deluxe version of "Thornography" and it has served to break the wait in view of the real new album by the band led by Dani Filth that will be released around November 2008.
All that might (merely) interest you at first glance is the multiple material that the band wanted to deliver through this new commercial operation with the inclusion, beyond the full album of "Thornography," of six bonus tracks, 3 video clips, a making of, photos, wallpapers, icons, lyrics in pdf, a DJ section where you can mix a couple of tracks from the group at our leisure, along with the exclusive and unique possibility of registering on their official website to get additional extra material. On one hand, all of this helps to relaunch the market and seriously fight piracy, because every true fan of this historic band will want this “deluxe” at all costs, but on the other hand, especially if we closely analyze the six bonus tracks, their current situation is increasingly deteriorating.
For the English from Ipswich, first of all, these six new songs could independently constitute a kind of new EP and indeed my critique will dwell not so much on the overall value of the entire package but on the global analysis of what they have offered us through the only new songs. I am not here to review again the disappointing songs from their latest album released on international markets starting from 2006 but to keep you informed that, during their musical career, certain figures could also have been avoided in that capacity. Agreed on the fact that fans support a band always, anyway, and everywhere, but, leaving aside this more than obvious discourse, what could a black metaller imagine after knowing their sacred first albums up to "Dusk... and Her Embrace" and after consequently having the chance to listen, even for a few seconds, to this recent garbage of theirs? We also agree on the fact that Cradle of Filth has never made true and pure black metal but has mainly been the utmost representatives of that genre which was already invented and interpreted in an even more convincing way by a group like Emperor. Well, Cradle of Filth was rightly considered one of the top symphonic black metal groups internationally and now? Songs like "Halloween II" and "Stay" are neither black nor gothic, but represent an absurd and unlistenable hybrid of a genre whose name should be invented only by the band in question. The "filth metal"? It could be, but continuing this way, they won't even be able to use that genre that their die-hard fans, to find remedy, had attributed to them for some years now (the known and common extreme gothic metal).
Now one only hopes that they have produced these songs mainly without pretensions and during a period where they are focusing more attention on their next album than on this purely transitional discographic operation. But will it really be so? Meanwhile, I suggest to all those who are usually dying of curiosity and who, of course, know their early work, to see to what compositional level they have been reduced. What is now seriously frightening will be the stance of the band in the face of their upcoming works.
Should they decide to propose songs that are extremely disappointing like those of "Thornography" or profoundly disastrous like this "expansion," I would advise them to retire with their current 60% honor (their first albums are historic, "there is no objection from this point of view that could undermine the thesis") or to perform in all their current and ridiculous "splendor" in front of new fans that the band itself will not even be able to explain and that I would be the first to avoid describing from the aesthetic point of view. Most likely only then will they understand what they could be up against.
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Summary by Bot
This review analyzes Cradle of Filth's Thornography Deluxe edition, praising its comprehensive package but criticizing the quality of six new bonus tracks. The reviewer laments the band's departure from their stronger symphonic black metal roots toward an unconvincing hybrid style. Concerns are raised about the band's future musical direction and the risk of disappointing longtime fans. The deluxe release also serves as a market tool to combat piracy and engage fans with extras.Tracklist Lyrics
01 Disc One - Harder, Darker, Faster: Thornography Deluxe MVI (DVD-Data) (00:00)
02 Disc One - Harder, Darker, Faster: Thornography Deluxe (DVD-Audio/Video) (00:00)
03 Disc Two - Original 'Thornography' Audio Release (00:00)
04 Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan (01:40)
08 The Byronic Man (05:03)
13 Rise Of The Pentagram (07:02)
16 Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan (01:40)
20 The Byronic Man (05:03)
25 Rise Of The Pentagram (07:02)
28 Murder In The Thirst (01:17)
29 The Snake-Eyed And Venomous (05:46)
30 Halloween II (03:36)
32 Stay (04:54)
33 Devil To The Metal (06:19)
37 Making Of The Video For "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking" (27:17)
41 Making Of The Video For "The Foetus Of A New Day Kicking" (27:17)
42 Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan (01:40)
46 The Byronic Man (05:03)
51 Rise Of The Pentagram (07:02)
54 Murder In The Thirst (01:17)
55 The Snake-Eyed And Venomous (05:46)
56 Halloween II (03:36)
58 Stay (04:54)
59 Devil To The Metal (06:19)
Cradle of Filth
English extreme metal band formed in 1991, led by vocalist Dani Filth, known for theatrical imagery and a blend of symphonic, gothic and black metal elements.40 Reviews
