The Album Reviews:

	Title: The Garden of Unearthly Delights Artist: Cathedral Label: Nuclear Blast Records Release Date: 1/24/06	Judgment Committee Reviews	Rating
			5
			4
			4
Read the Review of The Serpent's Gold Read the Reviews of The VIIth Coming Read the Reviews of Endtyme Read the Reviews of The Ethereal Mirror Official Web Site for this Artist Discuss on the Metal Judgment Web Board Submit/Read Reader Reviews of this Album

Abyss's Review:
Cathedral continue to plod along, extending an impressive and successful string of releases. The Garden of Unearthly Delights stands proudly next to their recent catalogue and improves on their last record. What else can a fan ask for?

"One word review: Classic."

The new Cathedral album is catchy as all hell, even more so than its predecessor, which showed an about face from the obtuse and tortured (in a good way) Endtyme. The music on this record is decidedly upbeat for a doom release, visiting the less publicized side of Sabbath that resulted in songs like "Sabbra Cadabra" and "Looking For Today." Just one listen to the swinging "Corpsecycle" shows a warmer side than we've seen from this band for some time, but equally as successful as their other enterprises. Although I must say I'm disappointed in one thing - I originally thought the song was pronounced 'corpsicle,' you know, like 'popsicle,' which still makes me giggle, but alas the lyrics show that this isn't the case.
If I've painted a warm and fuzzy picture for you that's good, but this is a Cathedral record, so it's a warmth and fuzziness more akin to a heroin binge than a basket full of puppies. And while there's no way this band will ever achieve mainstream airplay, it is commercial in the sense that it makes a specific attempt to infuse as much hook as possible.
For all of those that can't seem to get past the fact that this band kept going after "Forest of Equilibrium," there's nothing that will sway you back here. But if you liked the last one, I'd expect you to like this even more. Similar style, but a notch higher in songwriting. One word review: Classic.

Death's Review:

"The Garden of Unearthly Delights is a vital, fresh sounding record from a classic metal outfit."
Coventry, England's Cathedral return with another new studio album that is at once bold, adventurous and filled with vigor, and at the same time true to the classic Cathedral sound. The album's title was inspired by Hieronymous Bosch's 1504 painting of the same name, and many of the album's lyrics deal with such weighty subjects as the "original sin" and historic witch trials. Still, the raw, cynical and subversive wit and tone listeners have come to expect from Lee Dorian and company is fully present, and the down and dirty vibe and bludgeoning riffs make their presence felt. Overall, The Garden of Unearthly Delights is a vital, fresh sounding record from a classic metal outfit. Although it is of course a very different record, much like C.O.C.'s In the Arms of God, The Garden of Unearthly Delights delivers great, dynamic songwriting and a production that sounds modern but yet completely captures the classic vibe. From the album cover right down to the final notes of the album, this is pretty much what Cathedral fans circa 2006 should be demanding at this stage of the game.

Hel's Review:
You know, there are times when you really just need to mellow out with a little bit of stoner doom metal. And at those times, one of the first bands you reach for is Cathedral, now isn't it? The Garden of Unearthly Delights should now be included among those you choose from.

"The spirit of Sabbath is with them as they stomp though ten tracks, reveling in distorted low end."

The spirit of Sabbath is with them as they stomp though ten tracks, reveling in distorted low end. The song titles are utterly inspired tidbits of gold, such as "Corpsecycle," "Beneath a Funeral Sun" and "Oro the Manslayer." The lyrics are likewise priceless.
As I've already established, I consider Cathedral an A-list band in their genre, and this is a worthy effort in my book. The performances are great, and in my opinion the production is ideal. The sound remains gritty and raw, but the recording is crystal clear. Bravo.
I'm just tickled pink that this band is still churning out albums this good, and I hope to have the chance to see them tour for this album. I have a feeling that the next time I have an opportunity to throw something in my player just for fun, I will spin this one again.

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