PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
As bands always do in the lead up to a release of their new album, they make a lot of predictions and comments on how they think or what they think the album will sound like. In the running up to the release of The Manticore and Other Horrors, Cradle Of Filth have maintained they wanted to do something different, but at the same time alluding the album to their 2000 release, Midian. But mainly the key word surrounding the promotion of the album has been ‘different’.
However the real question here really is: just how different are we talking? Mainly, the band have commented they wanted to move away from the concept record approach they’ve stuck to with their most recent two releases, although it seems that a concept album seems to be too much of a safety blanket for them. Whilst by definition this is not a concept album, Dani has described the songs to orbit a central theme, in this case being mythological beasts of all varieties.
Musically, the record is definitely a breath of fresh air. Most fans will find the first 8 seconds of Huge Onyx Wings Behind Despair quite shocking as some very electronic keyboards come into play. The punk riffs from Paul are definitely intertwined throughout the album giving a higher overall feel of melody in each song. And yet, equally, every song still feels individual. Succumb to this provides a grand female sung verse that is hugely symphonic whereas Pallid Reflection holds the only solo on the album, which is just the kind of thing Cradle Of Filth do to ensure a song stands out against the rest.
Whilst the album is different, fans need not worry that it too far off what they are used to. Have no doubt that fans will probably love every minute of this album. Occasional listeners or people that are new to Cradle Of Filth may find the sheer force of such a distinctively Cradle album a little too strong. Nevertheless, once again Cradle Of Filth have produced a record that subtly but successfully blends very diverse aspects of all different kinds of music and is definitely worth checking out.
8/10
Line Up
Dani Filth – Vocals
Paul Allender – Guitars
Martin Škaroupka – Drums and orchestration
Session Musicians:
Daniel Firth – Bass
Lucy Atkins – Vocals
Choir – Jill Fallow, Scarlet Summer, Lucy Atkins, India Price, Janet Granger, Petra Stiles-Swinton, Anita Kilpatrick, Robert L. Friars, Daniel Oxblood, Joseph Kelly, Jasper Conway and arranged by Will Graney.
Track Listing:
1. The Unveiling of O
2. The Abhorrent
3. For Your Vulgar Delectation
4. Illicitus
5. Manticore
6. Frost on Her Pillow
7. Huge Onyx Wings Behind Despair
8. Pallid Reflection
9. Siding With Titans
10. Succumb to this
11. Sinfonia
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