Already the corpse paint must have cost a fortune. Or was it only cheap Photoshop? Just look at the official pictures of the Cradle of Filth crew for their newest record Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay. Impressive, ain’t it? They really knocked themselves out. And the outcome of these darkly ominous paintings fit the theme perfectly.
But now – sadly or then perhaps not – the band left the dark path of Black Metal and went full tilt Gothic Metal. Yet the band still maintains a healthy dose of galloping Heavy Metal style riffs, mixed with some Speed Metal. With a smattering of pretty sturdy Black Metal-esque antics still present nonetheless. This change of direction already raised its ugly head in Hammer of the Witches by the way. So, for those who would like to step away now from such blasphemy and enjoy the true black art, try some Gort, Narbeleth or Isolert. Or turn to Gorgoroth and their brethren.
Yet the product fits. It is comfort in known values of sorts, ain’t it? Cradle of Filth dutifully unleashes records, one after the other. So you kind of know what to expect. However, by doing this the band increases in maturity. And this shows in a pretty impressive self-confidence this band projects. [...]
I think they must have worn out the drummer. This guy looks like his own ghost on videos I have seen depicted from the newest 2015 album of Cradle of Filth called the Hammer of the Witches. This 11th studio edition features the new guitarists Marek ‘Ashok’ Šmerda and Richard Shaw. Also including Lindsay Schoolcraft on keyboards and female vocals (hell yeah..). Prominently displayed on Right Wing of the Garden Triptych. So a lot of newbies in this band, always somewhat of a worry when a new release is due – either they wreck it or it comes out real good.
Hmm, never say, never. Or is it more that exceptions confirm the rule? Usually I am not a big fan of these necrotic-psychopathic eruptions of total bullshit the Black Metal scene often produces. But there are a few good bands out there: Those with some fantasy, that come without the urge to bludgeon you to death with spiked fists and electric guitars, coupled with disgracefully bad music. Cradle of Filth is one of the more promising ones. And their 2004 album Nymphetamine is one of their better productions – especially compared to their album preceding this one.