 | Tracklist:
1. Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan
2. Dirge Inferno
3. Tonight in Flames
4. Libertina Grimm
5. The Byronic Man
6. I Am the Thorn
7. Cemetery and Sundown
8. Lovesick for Mina
9. The Foetus of a New Day Kicking
10. Rise of the Pentagram
11. Under Huntress Moon
12. Temptation
Release Date: 2006 | Ranking: #175 for 2006 | |
| | other reviews | James Kukucka (4.5)
"Thornography," is the seventh full-length release from the symphonic extreme metal band Cradle of F... | FilthyBorgir (3.5)
Thornography is very Heavy Metal oriented probably the best "gateway album" into Cradle of Filth.... |
On 16 Lists
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| Summary: Once again, Cradle of Filth has proven that they never write the same album twice, breaking creative ground with each output. Thornography is a powerful throwback to their love of rhythmic thrash metal while written in Cradle’s infamous brutal style. |
15 of 15 thought this review was well written
Thornography isn’t an album that can be synopsized easily. The origins of the album, while unique in their own rights, are both painfully obvious yet overwhelmingly subtle. Cradle of Filth has managed to combine the brutality of Midian and Damnation and a Day with their prevailing trademark atmosphere and Nymphetamine style melodies. However, while drawing obvious influence from their own work, Thornography brings forward some completely new facets that will have devoted Cradle of Filth fans drooling over their CD players. The album throws forward some powerfully rhythmic riffs and dynamic musical technicality laced with unfamiliar methods of achieving extreme gothic metal with defined symphonic melody.
At its core, Thornography is based around Cradle of Filth’s traditional sounds that maintain their own voice and expertise. The album commences on a familiar note with the intro track Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan, easily one of their most epic and captivating since At the Gates of Midian. It flows directly into Dirge Inferno, a fast, aggressive song reminiscent of Gilded Cunt intertwined with harsh Midian-esque harmonies and recurring bass breaks. While feeling like a nostalgic trip from Cradle’s most brutal days, it’s evident that they weren’t playing games when Dani Filth foretold the album to be “really rhythmical - thrashy, almost”. Songs such as Libertina Grimm are built almost entirely around brutal riff patterns. The same applies to Lovesick for Mina, a deceptively tame title for such a hard-hitting battle hymn.
However, Thornography soon proves itself a Pandora’s box full of enigmatic distinctiveness and satisfaction. Complete with the perfect amount of slower, spacey, melodic ambient sections to alternate the unrelenting rhythmic brutality of the album, Thornography is a record built for banging heads and discerning musicality. Lead guitar has taken the center stage, as Paul and Charles go beyond their usual array of melodic harmonies into the realm of abundant metal shredding. Frantic guitar outbursts beautifully complete the intense ensembles of such songs as Tonight in Flames and I am the Thorn. Taking their arrangement of technical specialties even further is Rise of the Pentagram,a track that lumbers menacingly for seven minutes after a gloomy spoken introduction, loaded with epic riffs, serene orchestration, dark piano, and alluring guitar harmonies.
Other brand new elements made their way onto Thornography without such unanimously positive anticipation. Only speculation could tell how Byronic Man would measure up, featuring guest vocals from none other than Ville Valo of HIM. Similarly, The Foetus of a New Day Kicking contains pleasing segments built on clean vocals by Dani Filth himself, the first time a Cradle of Filth song has ever included pure clean singing by the band’s own. Once again, Cradle of Filth have made themselves a force to reckon with and broke new ground in their own league by mastering both fronts. Valo’s performance in Byronic Man was minimal yet noticeable and provided a wonderfully gothic touch to the end of such an eclectic song. The Foetus also solidifies Dani to be an incredibly versatile metal vocalist, as his clean voice appears surprisingly smooth and pure throughout his shocking emergence.
It would be entirely plausible to say that Thornography is an album that pleases both existing Cradle of Filth fans and those who were formerly skeptical of them. From tracks in the vein of Dirge Inferno, with its no-nonsense heavy metal approach, to Under Huntress Moon, containing memorable female singing and symphonic movements strongly resembling Dimmu Borgir, Thornography is quite an assortment of styles that Cradle of Filth has mastered during the course of their extensive 15 year career. The only notable flaw in the album spawns from the song Temptation, which features guest vocals by Harry, formerly of Dirty Harry. Luckily for Cradle, said song is a cover of classic English synth poppers Heaven 17, so some leniency can be granted. Especially considering that Thornography is over a full hour of skull-crushing riffs, entrancing melodies, diverse vocal performances, and innovative musicianship. Forgetting any pre-conceived notions that metal fans may have of Cradle of Filth, the band has manages to successfully keep themselves exceptionally original, even after nine albums.
Highlights:
- Brutal metal with hammer-like rhythms and sweet technicality
- Beautifully melodic and atmospheric
- Experimental without transforming their definitive sound
- An impressive assortment of performances
Recommended tracks:
- Libertina Grimm
- I am the Thorn
- Lovesick for Mina
- The Foetus of a New Day Kicking
Once again, it’s exceedingly difficult to select choice tracks for this album. It’s very long and virtually everything on it is good. Any song except ‘Temptation’ could’ve gone on that list, so listen and decide for yourself. Enjoy!
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
I just wanna hear Valo with Cradle Of Filth. If you ask me that's a bucket of LOL!
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Nice. Very descriptive
I've never really payed attention to this band.
Digging: Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works, Vol. II
| | | Album Rating: 4
Great album, much better than their last. Valo isnt even that irritating when he's used minimally.
Great review too, I totally agree.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Thanks Cocainstein. 
I just wanna hear Valo with Cradle Of Filth. If you ask me that's a bucket of LOL!
He sounds great on the album. It's only during a small part of one song so he blends in pretty well.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Okay, I can't wait to buy this. Is it better then Nymphetamine.
| | | Album Rating: 3
Yeah, this is a much better version of Nymphetamine.
And The Byronic Man OWNS
Digging: Saint Vitus - Lillie: F-65 Digging: Saint Vitus - Lillie: F-65 | | | Album Rating: 4
Good review! Ive been looking forward to this for a while and have heard most of the songs off of it, making me lean towards a 4 though I havent purchased it yet haha. However, I am sickened by the album art
Digging: Sonata Arctica - Stones Grow Her Name | | | Album Rating: 4
Glad you guys are liking it so far. I'd say this is their best album in many years.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Ill always have a place in my heart for Midian, IMO thats epic
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Nice review, I definitely need to check this one out.
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I like it. It's like a natural progression from Nymphetamine.
I'd love to see the original art for this. The one they used is all... pansified, from what I hear.
| | | Album Rating: 4
It's still a cool cover, I think.
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Apparently, it was just about the same, except more "sinister."
| | | Album Rating: 4
I'd like to see the original. It seems like it would have to be considerably sinister for it to be banned. I like this one though - it's about time they had a green album. Lawl.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Maybe his spine was hanging from his neck. Who knows.
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I like this album.
Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan
Is an amazing intro. Wow, I am gonna go out on a limb and say that is my fav CoF intro.
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i really want this album.... by the way Po0sh... that is one cool avatar.
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Excellent review. I've never been a big fan of Cradle, but i've got a few songs off this and its changed my opinion on them.
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Sweet review Benny boy.
| | | Album Rating: 3
This is their best album since Midian.
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