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Hammer of the Witches
by
Hammer of the Witches Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The 11th full-length studio release for the British extreme metal band led by Dani Filth features a line-up with two guitarists: Marek "Ashok" Šmerda and Richard Shaw.
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Enshrined In Crematoria
This night is chilled by ghost And the woods are full of werewolves My heart is pounding with the stars I feel the darkness rising I'm blessed,... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. The Guardian
    Jul 9, 2015
    80
    Filthy, vicious fun, as always.
  2. Kerrang!
    Jul 9, 2015
    80
    Hammer of The Witches finds these fiends in fine fettle. [4 Jul 2015, p.52]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Jul 9, 2015
    80
    Hammer of the Witches is the post-Midian release fans have been asking for while retaining the riff-oriented sound the band have been attempting for the past 15 years--only this time they’ve actually pulled it all off.
  4. AllMusic
    Jul 9, 2015
    70
    Hammer of the Witches doesn't reach the heights of Dusk of Her Embrace, but it does offer proof that there is plenty of fire and creativity left in Cradle of Filth.
  5. Consequence
    Jul 14, 2015
    67
    Any environmentalist messages, though, are deeply buried beneath layers of cobwebbed gothic lyricism.... Every member excels here, contributing to one of Cradle of Filth’s best and most fun records in almost a decade.
  6. Record Collector
    Jul 17, 2015
    60
    A welcome return to form.
  7. Exclaim
    Jul 9, 2015
    40
    There are plenty of moments worthy of headbanging throughout Hammer of the Witches, especially on "Blackest Magick in Practice." Unfortunately, they're too often interrupted by the album's half-baked sonic experiments.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. TheDarkTyrant
    Apr 1, 2016
    10
    This is by far, one of their best.... and I mean, their best comeback! I purchased their album when it came out and I gotta say, it isThis is by far, one of their best.... and I mean, their best comeback! I purchased their album when it came out and I gotta say, it is fantastic. The songs are brilliant, Schoolcraft is amazing as a vocalist, and Dani's voice are hardcore brutal. Take a step back for a second to think what Cradle worked on in the past! They formed in 1991, which was 25 years ago! They will never stop and that is what I love about Cradle. Not only are they hardworking musicians, they take their time to work on an album! I am very pleased they came back! All hail the gods of metal! Cradle of Filth is back!… Expand
  2. bmcskim
    Jul 14, 2015
    9
    A mix of the hooks of Nymphetamine, and the more challenging Midian, Hammer Of the Witches is simply the most inspired Cradle of Filth albumA mix of the hooks of Nymphetamine, and the more challenging Midian, Hammer Of the Witches is simply the most inspired Cradle of Filth album since Cruelty and the Beast. The thrash-y elements more prominent in former guitarist Paul Allender's recent contributions are there in smaller amounts, and work well amidst the more melodic elements. The vocals are satisfyingly brutal, the bass is very clever, the drums once again breathtaking and the symphonic backings are not too overpowering. Keen listeners may be reminded of Nemesis, Gilded **** and The Death of Love along the way. The bonus songs are decent but probably the weakest two of the album. Overall, a true return-to-form that should please fans of most Cradle Of Filth eras.… Expand
  4. TixyLix
    Jul 11, 2015
    6
    It's noway near their best work, it's mostly forgettable and just feels like B sides of Damnation and a Day + Midian (if they have any) mixedIt's noway near their best work, it's mostly forgettable and just feels like B sides of Damnation and a Day + Midian (if they have any) mixed together. However The past few albums have been so bad that at least it's actually alright, even if it is rather generic. There is no stand out song, they don't hit the heights they did in Principle to Nymphetamine, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

    However for me Cradle of Filth are songs like...

    Swansong for a Raven
    Saffron's Curse
    Queen of Winter Throned
    The Black Goddess Rises
    A Gothic Romance
    Beneath the Howling Stars
    Tearing the Veil from Grace

    For some reason CoF haven't been able to replicate that, they've gone for a much more generic Metal sound, something I never associated them with in the past. I guess what they did before was hard to pull off live? This album seems like it's much more focused around that since the orchestral stuff is pretty much dropped :    … Expand

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