Enough about all that. This is to be a review of CoF's latest opus. The earlier confession aside I will say that Cradle of Filth have finally done it. They have made an album that is listenable and even interesting to these ears. Black Metal in any proper sense is not what is on display here, but rather a more accessible form of music steeped in Black Metal of the Symphonic variety. Gothic soundscapes and certainly themes are omnipresent, but so are some interesting licks that recall Celtic Frost as channelled by modern era Satyricon. Just don't tell Warrior or Frost, respectively. I think Satyr would be okay with that assertion, however.

Also present are some other interesting bits such as guest apperances by none other than H.I.M.'s Ville Valo on "The Byronic Man" and longtime collaborator Sarah Jezebel Deva (now also of Angtoria). Dani himself even tries out some clean vocals here and there to positive effect. He may be Black Metal's equivalent to King Diamond in that his range is also huge and quite disparate. Of note is the curious cover of SynthPop/New Wave band Heaven 17's "Temptation" also featuring Dirty Harry on vocals. One must ask "Why?"

If you liked the band at all in the past, Thornography will produce a few new wrinkles but nothing to push you away while also being as good a place as any to introduce yourself to CoF if you never heard them before or had written them off after hearing them butcher killer songs by Slayer and Iron Maiden as did I.

Bonus rounds: Adrian Erlandsson has called it a day with CoF and will concentrate on his other projects. Looks like the rumors can sometimes ring true. He has already been replaced by Marthus (ex-Mantas), at least on tour. "Under Huntress Moon" and first single "Dirge Inferno" are highlights of the album. Doug "Pinhead" Bradley (again) narrates. Rob Caggiano's production is killer and Andy Sneap's mix is excellent as always. Look for the rest of Angtoria's contribution on the intro....

written by Tony Belcher

Playing time: 64.36