The Pitch: As someone who has not particularly enjoyed Cradle of Filth since Dusk and Her Embrace, I was pleasantly surprised by what the UK symphonic gothic black metal band has to offer on their latest LP. FFO Dimmu Borgir, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Carach Angren
What I Like: In my mind, Cryptoriana is a huge turnaround from Hammer of the Witches. Where the previous outing felt tired and flat, Cradle of Filth seem to have found a new vitality in this material. The band has finally allowed the gimmicks and image to take a back seat to the songwriting. Everyone has stepped up their game in terms of performance, and the production really envelopes the listener in an intoxicating atmosphere. The result is an album that not only features some of the best vocals, guitarwork and synths in the band's entire careeer, but also an overall cohesive, progressive experience.
Every song has something to offer. I was initially impressed by the infectious vocal cadences and guitar hooks of lengthy single "You Will Know The Lion By His Claw," but the deeper cuts are impressive as well. There is a wicked solo (one of several) on "Achingly Beautiful" in a addition to being an overall enjoyable and multi-textured track. And both "Wester Vespertine" and of course the Annihilator cover "Alison Hell" even have a few riffs paying tribute to thrash and NWOBHM. I had pretty much given up on Cradle of Filth years ago, yet they manage to take the ambitious hour+ runtime and utilize every second of it to full effect. Seriously, I don't think I have ever listened to a Cradle album without wanting to skip a track here and there until now.
Critiques: I find it shocking to reach the critical portion of a review for a band I have much maligned over the years only to find myself with very little to say. They still haven't overtaken more innovative acts like Schammasch or Cult of Fire; they're not even in the same league. But for traditional symphonic black metal, this is pretty much perfection.
The Verdict: Clearly Cradle have drank deeply of virgins' blood and sold a few souls to make this album happen. It's the only explanation I have for this over 20 year old band, after years of questionable material, to suddenly drop one of the best albums of their career. Yes, Cryptoriana - The Seductiveness Of Decay is a hit, and you should definitely pick it up tomorrow.
Flight's Fav's: You Will Know The Lion By His Claw, Wester Vespertine, Heartbreak And Seance
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