Evaluation Number One.

For my first evaluation, I will be talking about the new Cradle of Filth CD. This CD is definitely their best one and I cannot get enough of it. 

Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa

Track listing:

Disc I
01. The Cult Of Venus Aversa
02. One Foul Step From The Abyss
03. The Nun With The Astral Habit
04. Retreat Of The Sacred Heart
05. The Persecution Song
06. Deceiving Eyes
07. Lilith Immaculate
08. The Spawn Of Love And War
09. Harlot On A Pedestal
10. Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)
11. Beyond Eleventh Hour

Disc II
01. Beast of Extermination
02. Truth And Agony
03. Adest Rosa Secreta Eros
04. Mistress From The Sucking Pit
05. Behind The Jagged Mountains
06. The Cult Of Venus Aversa [demo]
07. The Nun With The Astral Habit [demo]
08. Deceiving Eyes [demo]

Cradle of Filth’s extreme, symphonic brand of metal requires both extraordinary precision and masterful production. Cradle of Filth is expected to deliver on both fronts. Marthus Skaroupka’s blast beats give direction to the entire project, while Dani Filth’s vocal delivery remains consistent, without ever being particularly spectacular. Most people believe that the guitar work, although melodic, is somewhat monotonous, relying on galloping riffs and the occasional pinched harmonic. I happen to disagree thinking that the guitar work is some of their best and extremely catchy. It’s surely about time Cradle of Filth wrote an album to remind why the band has achieved so many accolades in the past.

The opening song sets the right impression and the intensity and technical wizardry of the members does not stop until the end of the last song. The songs are impressive in terms of their precision, something that Cradle of Filth has lacked in their first few albums. The unrelenting galloping riffs on this album are interrupted by moments of inspiration, such as the smooth riff of Deceiving Eyes, which is reinforced by what is the strongest writing on the album. 


Dani Filth’s vocal and writing capabilities are well-documented, and Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa seems to be the perfect platform from which to showcase his seeming plethora of grunts, growls, and higher pitched shrieks. His voice is well complemented by Ashley Ellysson’s synthesizer harmonies and high pitched screams.  His voice remains a paradigm of metal vocal mastery, while he is sharp enough to utilize Ellysson’s vocals in providing some variation to his own.The lyrical content is loosely based upon a Biblically-inspired concept, also drawing from Middle Ages history, and mythology. 


Some believe that Darkly Darkly doesn't match the mastery and brutal force of earlier releases such as Dusk...And Her Embrace, Cruelty and the Beast, or Thornography. The band really shows that they have matured musically and can now compose a well thought out and orchestrated album. With their past albums, their music seemed a bit messy and unfocused. Darkly Darkly has shown that even after ten years, Cradle of Filth can still compose a masterpiece.