Damn, quite some people should be surprised here. The new CRADLE OF FILTH disc has become heavier and also catchier. Away from the symphonic bombast to the basic. There are still enough song structures that are typical of CRADLE, like female vocals, piano parts, blastbeats etc. But this time around everything is more to the point.

The opening with “Gilded Cunt“ is already heavy as hell and clearly reminiscent of the Britons’ early phase. The 9-minute title track is an absolute masterpiece. It contains everything that has always made up this band. Ingenious riffs, brillant tempo changes and one convincing Liv Kristine instead of Sarah Jezebel Diva. What is generally striking about the disc is the fact that CRADLE OF FILTH include more and more traditional Metal riffs. I also think that Dani’s barking isn’t that extreme anymore…Other highlights are “English Fire” and the gigantic “Filthy Little Secret”, simply top material. Then things get really heavy with the closing “Mother Of Abominations”, which almost pushes into EMPEROR-like grades of sharpness.

In between there are a lot of exciting, superbly arranged tunes that don’t disappoint any fan. They rather blew me away completely, because, to be honest, I had grown a little tired of CRADLE, and their latest albums, which weren’t bad altogether, didn’t convince me completely. To me, “Vempire” and “Dusk And Her Embrace” have always been their masterpieces. Now I have to add “Nymphetamine” as well here. (Online October 28, 2004)