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Rating: The critics of the summer 2014, deemed dull, lukewarm, and lacking in momentum, must be pleased. As everyone has experienced, this July 2015 brings us the hottest day in over a hundred years. At least that's what the meteorologists say. But we're not at the weather forecast center here, so here's the new “Hammer of the Witches” by the vampiric Cradle of Filth, released just these days. Although, overall, the work does not present any authentic or revolutionary innovations, this scorching CD will surely not disappoint the fans of the vampires from Albion. As for the rest, and taking advantage of the title translation, this ‘hammer of the witches’ really strikes fiercely on the eardrums.
To be fair, we must mention a reshuffle of the members of the honorable nocturnal congregation: the line-up becomes more symphonic in numbers and, in part, in style. In addition to the basic three elements, two new axe-men join: Ashok (Root, Inner Fear) and Richard Shaw (Emperor Chung, NG26). But that's not all; to innovate the English combo, there's also the entrance of a metal lady: the keyboardist and vocalist Lindsay Matheson (Schoolcraft). With six elements dictating the rules and Symphonic Black Metal sparks flying, the final result is noticed. There isn't a true shift towards a new dimension – and why should there be? it seems the new Cradle of Filth say – but surely the arrival of the new friends is felt. Additionally and paradoxically, in the attempt at renewal that comes through the aforementioned arrival of the new comrades, there is a general sound reminiscent of the early days. In short, beyond metaphor, the sound is less cinematic than the last trials. A plausible explanation could simply be the prosaic one linking the sound quality result of “Hammer of the Witches” to a more compressed budget: a sign of the current times spreading their patina of global crisis even on CDs.
“Hammer of the Witches” is built on elegant melodies that float over the sharp rhythms characterizing the band's style. Symphonic elements are not lacking and in some passages create a superb overgrowth of strings. For the leader Dani Filth and companions, concerning the purely compositional viewpoint, this new work is nevertheless a confirmation of their abilities. The introduction of “Hammer of the Witches” is marked by “Walpurigis Eve”: here the romanticism of the extreme gothic metal of Cradle of Filth finds immediate confirmation. “Walpurigis Eve” represents the operating paradigm throughout the CD or almost: fast songs, brilliant arrangements, and immediacy. The album, as planned, also has its powerful assault track, that is, the intriguing single “Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych”. Ultimately, “Hammer of the Witches” is an album intriguingly just right and dark enough... for a vampiric band.
Here is the tracklist of “Hammer of the Witches”:
1.Walpurgis Eve
2. Yours Immortally
3. Enshrined In Crematoria
4. Deflowering The Maidenhead, Displeasuring The Goddess
5. Blackest Magick In Practice
6. The Monstrous Sabbat (Summoning The Coven)
7. Hammer Of The Witches
8. Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych
9. The Vampyre At My Side
10. Onward Christian Soldiers
11. Blooding The Hounds Of Hell
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