Klagebilder cover

Released 20 years ago

Klagebilder

Crematory · 2006

50 min · 13 tracks · gothic metal

Heavy guitar riffs intertwine with melancholic melodies, creating a darkly atmospheric soundscape that embodies the essence of gothic metal.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Klagebilder — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting melodies and powerful instrumentation, embodying the themes of sorrow and introspection present throughout.
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    Kein Liebeslied — This track stands out for its lyrical exploration of disillusionment and emotional conflict, paired with a catchy chorus that contrasts darker verses.
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    Der Morgen danach — With its rich atmospheric production and poignant lyrics, this song captures a sense of longing and regret, making it a memorable highlight on the album.
  • →
    Höllenbrand — This track showcases Crematory's heavier side while maintaining melodic elements, effectively balancing aggression with emotion, representing the band's range.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100
Foothills
Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

Klagebilder combines heavy riffs with melodic elements, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacks full cohesion in its flow.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a heavy guitar riff that sets a dark tone, followed by melodic verses that contrast the intensity.
  • The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier aggression.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady pacing for reflective moments
  • immersive soundscape of longing
  • gradual emotional closure throughout
  • dark atmosphere for introspection

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking upbeat or fast tempos
  • prefer standalone tracks over flows

Where this album fits

Career context
Klagebilder is Crematory's sixth studio album, released after their successful transition into a more melodic gothic metal sound. By 2006, the band had solidified their presence in the genre, following the commercial success of their previous album, Awakening, which had helped them reach a wider audience in Europe.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Spiegel meiner Seele

    The bridge shifts to an introspective tone as the lyrics confront personal demons directly, revealing vulnerabilities often masked by bravado.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Klagebilder 2:32
  • 2 Die Abrechnung 3:54
  • 3 Hoffnungen 4:07
  • 4 Kein Liebeslied 4:05
  • 5 Kaltes Feuer 4:09
  • 6 Der Morgen danach 4:14
  • 7 Warum 3:44
  • 8 Höllenbrand 3:31
  • 9 Nie wieder 4:13
  • 10 Ein Leben lang 3:58
  • 11 Der Nächste 4:37
  • 12 Das letzte Mal 3:22
  • 13 Spiegel meiner Seele 4:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata