"This album is a masterpiece and a musical triumph for Cradle of Filth."

Follow up:

9/10

1. "In Grandeur and Frankincense Devilment Stirs" – 2:27
2. "Shat Out of Hell" – 5:03
3. "The Death of Love" – 7:13
4. "The 13th Caesar" – 5:35
5. "Tiffauges" – 2:14
6. "Tragic Kingdom" – 5:59
7. "Sweetest Maleficia" – 5:59
8. "Honey and Sulphur" – 5:37 Watch the video!
9. "Midnight Shadows Crawl to Darken Counsel with Life" – 8:58
10. "Darkness Incarnate" – 8:55
11. "Ten Leagues Beneath Contempt" – 4:58
12. "Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder" – 5:36
13. "Corpseflower" – 2:41

The album start is an overture fit for an Tim Burton Film, "In Grandeur and Frankincense Devilment Stirs" near the end of this two minute piece, the voice of Doug Bradley (Pinhead of the Hellraiser Films) introduces the title of the album with his haunting narration with the quote "When light no longer rose to kiss me, I swore to tear Heaven asunder, as flights of fallen angels wish me 'Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder'" The opening track "Shat out of Hell" introduces the character of the album, Gilles de Rais. Once a warrior beside Joan of Arc, he turned to satanic sorcery and nightly violence after the "martyrdom in flames" of Joan. In public he was a wealthy scholar and patron of the arts. In secret he made nightly offerings in efforts to commune with the devil. His crimes became so vile, so depraved and desperate that. Tracks such as "Sweetest Maleficia" and "Darkness Incarnate" whisper and screech about the most despicable transgressions against the children of local peasantry. Dani Filth's young daughter, Luna Scarlett Davey, appears on this album as the "Child Victim" in the track "Darkness Incarnate." It is hard to say which of the two is more haunting, Doug Bradley's sinister narration or Dani Filth's scripture and howls.

However, this album is not completely filth, if you will. "The Death of Love" is a touching duet about the emotions de Rais felt for Joan and "Ten Leagues Beneath Contempt" informs the audience of his growing madness how his crimes would haunt him late at night and his eventual capture by the local church. The title track "Godspeed on Devil's Thunder" describes his trial and punishment. The track also shows the audience how after all the cruelty, blood, and sentencing he wished to be with Joan in death. This reminds everyone of the tragedy that is Gilles de Rais who turned to the darkness once his light was burnt out. The album ends with the closing overture "Corpseflower" which sorrowfully fades out as the narration speaks de Rais final words.

Despite the vicious lyrics, this album is a masterpiece and a musical triumph for Cradle of Filth. Listening to this album is like watching a movie. One has to sit through the entire feature. The only real complaint one may have about the album is that the album is very long, involved, and detailed. Symphony, choirs, thrashing guitars, complex drum work and symphonic keyboards and Dani Filth's inhuman range and demonic vocal skill all combine to make one bright shining morning star of music assault and caress.
The special edition offers ten full tracks that include two tracks adding to the Gilles de Rais story; tracks from the "Thornography: Harder, Darker, Faster" deluxe edition; two live tracks; remixes and demos of "Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder"; and a cover of Celtic Frost's "Into the Crypt of Rays."

Links

Cradle of Filth on Myspace
Cradle of Filth's official website
Buy the album

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