Invoking the Unclean - Orgiastic Pleasures Foul: Despite great titles, their first two demos are pretty lacklustre death metal. Can't say I've listened to them more than a couple of times; the production is bad, not in a good way. Am I crazy or was there a third demo called "Black goddess rises?"
Total Fucking Darkness: Recently re-released, this one is fairly better, with improvements overall. Some better riffs and vocals definitely. "The raping of faith" is a stand-out track.
A great debut, with the sound of the band closer to what they would become known for; though the compositions are still slightly immature, excluding classics like the title track, "Summer dying fast," "The black goddess rises," "To Eve the art of witchcraft," maybe "Of mist and midnight skies." Littered with instrumental interludes that may please or annoy, depends. It's a classic either way.
This might be the pinnacle of the discography of the band. 4 new tracks that are among the best in "majestic black metal" as they used to call it, everything from vocals to drums as it should be, great riffs and keyboards, audible bass. Gothic and extreme metal influences combine to form epic tracks in length, ingenuity and atmosphere; which ranges from romantic and melodious to raging Clive Barker-esque hellscapes. The re-recording of "The forest whispers my name" I prefer to the original in the debut; and just one instrumental here. I'd say my favourite ep of all time, definitely check it out.
Dusk and her Embrace (1996):
Definitely my favourite Cradle of Filth album, and the one that has the most successful production of them all. Here the vocals and drums are unbelievable; the rest of the band meshes together in a way you don't often hear in metal, were instruments tend to be fairly "separate." The lyrics, always great, are amazing here. No stand-out tracks here, they're all great.
Cruelty and the Beast (1998):
By many considered the best, despite a somewhat iffy production, this is their first concept album, about the life of infamous Elizabeth Bathory. It's a classic no doubt, with truly amazing lyrics and vocals, and some of the best riffs in their career ("The twisted nails of faith," "Beneath the howling stars," "Bathory Aria,"). Not much to say other than "it's awesome!"
From the Cradle to Enslave (1999):
Their second ep; only two new songs, but both great ("Of dark blood and fucking" is ridiculously underrated), two decent covers and a re-recording of the classic "Funeral in carpathia" from the "Dusk. . .and her Embrace" album which is good (incredible achievement, a good re-recording of an old song). This ep was released alongside a VHS tape--later dvd which is a must, featuring a videoclip for the tittle track and some live songs--if you want to see them at their prime you need it.
Midian (2000):
From the Cradle to Enslave (1999):
Their second ep; only two new songs, but both great ("Of dark blood and fucking" is ridiculously underrated), two decent covers and a re-recording of the classic "Funeral in carpathia" from the "Dusk. . .and her Embrace" album which is good (incredible achievement, a good re-recording of an old song). This ep was released alongside a VHS tape--later dvd which is a must, featuring a videoclip for the tittle track and some live songs--if you want to see them at their prime you need it.
Loosely inspired by Clive Barker's Cabal and its movie adaptation (among other things), this is considered the last "great" Cradle of Filth album. I like them all. This one is probably the most accessible they've been till now, with a heavier emphasis on riffs--which are thrashier for the most part. Once again great lyrics, great vocals, probably their most well known songs are on this album ("Her ghost in the fog," "Lord Abortion," "Cthulhu Dawn") overall a magnificent work.
Damnation and a Day (2003):
This time inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost, and featuring real orchestral arrangements (never sounds like a full orchestra), this was the first metal album I got; regardless, I think I can objectively review it. It's awesome. An even heavier emphasis on riffs despite the aforementioned orchestra, which is used in one of the best ways ever on a metal record. Some songs are forgettable, (since the album is quite longer than it should be), but overall the effect of the music is not diminished by this.
Nymphetamine (2004):
This album is a little bit too polished and formulaic, with some really catchy songs and some really forgettable ones, simpler and even riffier than "Damnation. . ." I quite enjoy it, and tracks like "Gabrielle," "Filthy little secret," and "Medusa and Hemlock" are undeniably good, even though not very well known.
Thornography (2006):
This is a truly polarizing album; I enjoy it for being different from the previous albums. Quite accessible, a little bit "sell-out," but fun nonetheless. The cover on the left is the "Harder, Darker, Faster" version, which features some great songs not included in the original version--and they are. . . you guessed it. It's the version you want to get if you like it.
Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder (2008):
Very well received, hailed as a return to form, this is a concept album inspired by the life of Giles DeRay, of the crypts of rays. I'd put it in the same league as "Damnation. . ." some great songs, some forgettable. The vocals here are quite better than "Thornography," and continue to improve in the next album--before "Mantichore," which is by far the band's worst album. The "nilely" entitled "Midnight shadows crawl to darken councel with life" features one of the most evil riffs as its chorus. Behold the bold inauguration of the dark side!
Darkly Darkly Venus Aversa (2010):
This one continues the upward swing of the band, with a return of over-the-top keyboards, frantic drumming and even some death metal moments. Still, some songs are forgettable, but you can't have everything. Also a concept album, this time about Lillith, lyrically it's not quite up to par with the previous albums. Still fun.
The Manticore and other horrors (2012):
Really disappointing after two great records. A sub-par vocal performance and way too similar, way too forgettable songs, bad production with the guitars too loud and the keyboards buried even when they are supposed to be leading. Still, if you get tired of the other albums, it would work.
Hammer of the Witches (2015):
A thousand times better than "Manticore," this is Cradle picking up were they left off on "Darkly," with many nods to the past and some to the future. The guitars that had become monolithic around "Nymphetamine" get nimble again, the vocals and lyrics rebound and I was a happy customer. Good parts in all the songs, though some feel unimaginative in their structures. An album that boded well concerning the follow up, and from the two tracks released so far, I don't think I'll be disappointed--and neither any other fans.
Links: Their Official Website - Their Official Facebook Page
You can also find their albums in record stores. They're pretty famous.
Damnation and a Day (2003):This time inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost, and featuring real orchestral arrangements (never sounds like a full orchestra), this was the first metal album I got; regardless, I think I can objectively review it. It's awesome. An even heavier emphasis on riffs despite the aforementioned orchestra, which is used in one of the best ways ever on a metal record. Some songs are forgettable, (since the album is quite longer than it should be), but overall the effect of the music is not diminished by this.
This album is a little bit too polished and formulaic, with some really catchy songs and some really forgettable ones, simpler and even riffier than "Damnation. . ." I quite enjoy it, and tracks like "Gabrielle," "Filthy little secret," and "Medusa and Hemlock" are undeniably good, even though not very well known.
This is a truly polarizing album; I enjoy it for being different from the previous albums. Quite accessible, a little bit "sell-out," but fun nonetheless. The cover on the left is the "Harder, Darker, Faster" version, which features some great songs not included in the original version--and they are. . . you guessed it. It's the version you want to get if you like it.
Very well received, hailed as a return to form, this is a concept album inspired by the life of Giles DeRay, of the crypts of rays. I'd put it in the same league as "Damnation. . ." some great songs, some forgettable. The vocals here are quite better than "Thornography," and continue to improve in the next album--before "Mantichore," which is by far the band's worst album. The "nilely" entitled "Midnight shadows crawl to darken councel with life" features one of the most evil riffs as its chorus. Behold the bold inauguration of the dark side!
This one continues the upward swing of the band, with a return of over-the-top keyboards, frantic drumming and even some death metal moments. Still, some songs are forgettable, but you can't have everything. Also a concept album, this time about Lillith, lyrically it's not quite up to par with the previous albums. Still fun.
Really disappointing after two great records. A sub-par vocal performance and way too similar, way too forgettable songs, bad production with the guitars too loud and the keyboards buried even when they are supposed to be leading. Still, if you get tired of the other albums, it would work.
A thousand times better than "Manticore," this is Cradle picking up were they left off on "Darkly," with many nods to the past and some to the future. The guitars that had become monolithic around "Nymphetamine" get nimble again, the vocals and lyrics rebound and I was a happy customer. Good parts in all the songs, though some feel unimaginative in their structures. An album that boded well concerning the follow up, and from the two tracks released so far, I don't think I'll be disappointed--and neither any other fans.
Links: Their Official Website - Their Official Facebook Page
You can also find their albums in record stores. They're pretty famous.
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