Crematory
Destination
ROAR
With the state of the worldwide economy and the changing ways that music is consumed, it is admirable for any band to be able to put music out consistently, let alone doing it for thirty years. Having been around since 1991, Germanyβs Crematory have doggedly been putting out their gothic gospel throughout the shifting sands of flavour-of-the-month genres, and 2025 sees them produce their seventeenth album in βDestinationβ. So what does thirty-plus years of consistent output get you? Pretty damn solid gothic metal, is what. If you like your riffs, then see the likes of self-titled opener and βWelt Aus Glasβ, whilst there are catchy choruses abound, with βAfter Isolationβ a stand-out. Yet where Crematory excel is in peppering delightful melodies and overarching romanticism throughout each song. βThe Future Is A Lonelyβ placeβs simple piano and orchestration melody during the chorus works beautifully, whilst the organ that heralds the start of βMy Own Private Godβ evokes a touch of Phantom Of The Opera about it that feeds pleasingly into their sense of romanticism. Speaking of romance and gothic metal, the band even find time to pay homage to the godfathers of that particular niche – Type O Negative – with a spirited cover of βMy Girlfriendβs Girlfriendβ. If you want a song to encapsulate βDestinationβ, then the keyboard-driven βToxic Touchβ will do you: romance, despair and melody in one neat package. While βDestinationβ wonβt win points for innovation, it stands to reason that when youβre in your thirty-third year as a band, you will simply be wanting to make music you love. On the evidence of βDestinationβ, it just so happens that that is exactly what Crematory are doing – and theyβre doing a fine job of it.
Review by Lee Carter