Album Review: Cradle of Filth – The Screaming Of The Valkyries (Napalm Records)
Cradle of Filth return on March 21st with their brand-new album, ‘The Screaming of the Valkyries’. Out via Napalm Records.
The current state of Cradle of Filth is a fascinating one. One built around consistency and one that confidently, and proudly, combines the best of their eras. Which, as every long-term fan can tell you, is a lot of different eras. From the rawer blackened ways of their debut The Principle of Evil Made Flesh to the gothic opulence of Cruelty and the Beast, to Midan’s accessibility, the dynamic theatrics of Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder, and the creative intensity of Hammer of the Witches. Listeners have a lot of Cradle of Filth to choose from, and everyone will have their favourites.
Their icon status is assured, yet their creativity only seems to grow as they get more and more comfortable with embracing their past. Impressively combining a devolution and evolution of their sound. Cradle of Filth have found the perfect balance of old-school riff-driven blackened heaviness and lavish symphonic elements, and the proof is in this album.
Kicking off with To Live Deliciously, not only a thumping head banger, but a salacious sounding one thanks to the layered symphonic elements, Cradle instantly let us know that heaviness is going to be front and centre here. The instruments sound immense, but Dani Filth’s trademark growls and scowls are as powerful as ever.
Demagoguery has more classic Cradle dramatics as it features several instances of those infamous whispered vocals, alongside playfully gothic melody, meaty riffs, and an extensive guitar solo. It ends in epic style, whereas The Trinity of Shadows begins in explosive fashion with a flurry of guitars and drums, before settling down and becoming something that is daringly infectious. Hell, it has a chorus, and one that you might find yourself singing along too, especially as it has a multitude of voices and some experimental touches later on. It’s a really great track, and a strong sign of the ever-evolving face of Cradle of Filth.
Switching up the tempo, heightening the gothic splendour, delivering smile-inducing melody and letting the guitars shine in glorious style, Non Omnis Moriar is a really pretty track, and keyboardist Zoe Marie Federoff delivers her vocals with immense power. Especially when she plays off Dani, who screeches with such intensity at the end.
It’s time for speed and heaviness though, classic Cradle of Filth speed and heaviness with garish melodic infusions, but once again, the highlight is a chorus that has Federoff and Filth going back and forth. Then things get even more extensive and expressive with You Are My Nautilus, which has some highly creative guitar and drum parts that impressively switch up the Cradle ‘formula’. However, you can also tell that Dani tested himself here as his voice takes on so many different forms across its epic run. It’s Cradle of Filth at their most theatrical, but also them at their most challenging. A track that gets better on each subsequent listen.
How ‘Midian’ like is Malignant Perfection? It might be an evolved style, but the keyboard melodies, guitar rhythms, and vocal styles are so reminiscent of that specific era of Cradle. No complaints here, I love Midian, but I can’t speak for everyone else.
I also love Cradle of Filth when they just get nasty and heavy, and the penultimate track Ex Sanguine Draculae sure delivers that. One of the album’s most intensive head bangers. Before When Misery Was a Stranger turns back the clock significantly for some old-school Cradle wickedness, albeit with a warped showcase of modern thinking from both a melody and metal stance. It’s another strong showcase of the way modern Cradle balances all aspects of the band.
As consistent as ever, Cradle of Filth have delivered another excellent album here. It’s the embracing of their past, and how they use that to enhance their future, that really helps make this album special.
Cradle of Filth – The Screaming of the Valkyries Track Listing:
1. To Live Deliciously
2. Demagoguery
3. The Trinity of Shadows
4. Non Omnis Moriar
5. White Hellebore
6. You Are My Nautilus
7. Malignant Perfection
8. Ex Sanguine Draculae
9. When Misery Was a Stranger
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Cradle of Filth - The Screaming Of The Valkyries (Napalm Records)
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The Final Score - 8.5/10
8.5/10
