Cradle Of Filth

Godspeed On The Devil’s Thunder

[4.5/5]

Many thought English black-metal heroes Cradle Of Filth had hit their peak with 2000’s Midian, but Dani Filth and his revolving lineup of unholy allies have only continued to grow, expanding their musical horizons and transcending the genre from which they were spewed in the mid-’90s. Godspeed On The Devil’s Thunder sees the Brits at their operatic best and completely unafraid to fill the songs with orchestral keyboards. With an epic production job courtesy of Sabbat guitarist Andy Sneap, the album follows the story of Gilles De Rais, the 15th century French serial killer. The songs, meanwhile, are simply staggering. “Shat Out Of Hell” features the sort of power-metal riff Iron Maiden used to churn out, while “The Death Of Love” is further proof the band can be melodic and devastatingly heavy at the same time. (ROADRUNNER) Brett Callwood