Compared to the infamous “VEmpire” EP, “The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh” was just a stroll in the park. My fellow filthsters, if this one isn’t in your collection, you should hang your head in shame. “V Empire” is half an hour of total fucking darkness.

Considering the notoriety of this release, its history is in fact a peculiar story. In truth however, I don’t know all the ins and outs behind it, but from what I understand the band had a strenuous working relationship with Cacophonous at the time. Their contract was still running after “The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh” and “VEmpire” was basically their last-minute escape-plan. Of course, known never to do things half-way, CRADLE OF FILTH made sure they went out in a blaze of glory, and it only serves as a testament to CRADLE OF FILTH’s brilliance that they managed to come up with such a strong release under this pressure. “V Empire” started what would eventually amount to CRADLE OF FILTH’s unholy trinity. A string of albums that peaked with the now classic “Dusk & Her Embrace”, and (in a way) drew to a conclusion with the “Cruelty & The Beast” album. From 1995 to 1998, CRADLE OF FILTH was at the top of their game.

In all, there are 6 tracks on “V Empire”, of which one is a re-recorded “Principle of Evil Made Flesh” classic, and another an instrumental. The rest is brand new material, with each track more legendary than the other. Suffice to say that the “V Empire” EP is played almost in full on regular live occasions. Originally however, the new songs were meant to be part of the Dusk album, but due to business relations gone awry with Cacophonous, some of it was split up and wound up on “V Empire”.

There is not a song on this disc I can talk about without use of the word “classic”. For starters, we get “Ebony Dressed For Sunset” and “The Forest Whispers My Name”, a pair so firmly entwined in the collective mind of CRADLE OF FILTH fans one could just not imagine one without the other. In truth of course, “The Forest Whispers My Name” dates back to “The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh”, but it was “V Empire” that brought “Ebony Dressed For Sunset” along, and a such this renowned pair passed into lore.

Of course, that was just a little foreplay compared to “Queen Of Winter, Throned”. This 10 minute classic is without exaggeration the best song CRADLE OF FILTH has ever written. Almost OPETHian in nature, “Queen of Winter Throned” is a rollercoaster of symphonic black metal that enthrals at every step of its path, thrashing away in the best of fashion at one moment, or racing on with hauntingly powerful melodies at another. It’s about as bombastic, evil and glorious CRADLE OF FILTH could ever get, and yes, it’s reason enough to own “V Empire” on itself.

Next up is “Nocturnal Supremacy”, an allround great track, that was, however, re-recorded for the “Dusk” album with improved production values and a re-written solo. Even if it threatens to be swamped here as a classic amidst classics, it shouldn’t be overlooked. And last but certainly not least is CRADLE OF FILTH’s forgotten masterpiece “The Rape And Ruin Of Angels”, which is about as good as “Queen Of Winter Throned”, if not better according to some. Fun fact: it is the only song thus far where Dani has a short lyric in his normal voice. And perhaps that’s reason enough to buy this album as well.

“V Empire” is CRADLE OF FILTH at their best. Although “Dusk & Her Embrace” is more accomplished as an album, “V Empire” is at least as astounding given its short running time. The production values are overpowering, and some of the best CRADLE OF FILTH has ever been able to grace an album with. Add to that a chain of immortal songs and you’ve got a record for the history books. To summarize in two words: fucking mandatory. (Online November 23, 2004)