"Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus" is the thirteenth studio album by the Australian alternative rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, released on September 20, 2004, via Mute Records. This double album comprises seventeen tracks and showcases the band's signature blend of dark, poetic lyrics and diverse musical styles.
The first disc, Abattoir Blues, leans towards a more raw and aggressive sound, while the second disc, The Lyre of Orpheus, offers a more introspective and melodic approach. The album features themes of love, loss, and existential reflection, with Cave's distinctive baritone voice delivering haunting narratives.
Critically acclaimed, it further solidified Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' reputation for pushing musical boundaries and exploring complex emotions. Notable tracks include "Get Ready for Love," "God Is in the House," and "We Call Upon the Author." The album exemplifies the band's versatility and artistic depth.
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus was produced by Nick Launay at Studio Ferber in Paris during March and April 2004. The recording featured the classic Bad Seeds lineup, including Mick Harvey, Thomas Wydler, Martyn Casey, Conway Savage, Jim Sclavunos, Warren Ellis, and James Johnston, who replaced Blixa Bargeld on guitar and organ. Notably, Cave split drumming duties between Sclavunos for Abattoir Blues and Wydler for The Lyre of Orpheus. Remarkably, the entire album was completed in just twelve days.
To promote the album, the band embarked on the Abattoir Blues Tour, which took place across Europe from November to December 2004. In January 2007, they released The Abattoir Blues Tour, a double live album and DVD, capturing the energy of the performances.
The final track, "O Children," gained additional recognition when it was featured in the 2010 film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, and it was also referenced in Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7. Following the album's success, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released B-Sides & Rarities in March 2005, a comprehensive three-disc collection of B-sides and rarities.
