Gothic/black metal masters Cradle Of Filth release their long awaited 14th studio album, “The Screaming of the Valkyries”. They are the giants, the ones that have shaped a lot of our early-year, alternative influences. I went into this album with high expectations and they have surely been exceeded. Given that this record is the first with new members Zoe Marie Federoff (keyboards, vocals) and Donny Burbage (guitar), a new brush stroke is brought into this creation, a new touch. Right from the opening track (and previously released single) “To Live Deliciously”, the themes of the record are clear. A beautiful, haunting, bloody trip is waiting for us and each song is yet another passage into a grotesque realm. Relentless, unforgiving and dark, this song is one of my favourites from the whole release. As we continue, we come across Zoe and Dani’s vocals , a deadly combination, making you feel like you’re discovering “Nymphetamine” all over again as a youngster. Nostalgic as ever yet with a new fresh approach, Cradle Of Filth show their vocal as well as instrumental agility. Another notable experience in this record is track eight, “Ex Sanguine Draculae”, which puts you in a fast heavy trance. A beautiful theme and witchy rhythms is all this song needs to immediately lure you in and get stuck in your head. To sum up, this record is definitely my favourite of the latest, as it gives a whole new taste of the band while maintaining that Cradle Of Filth sound we all know and love. I find myself coming back to hear it again and again and would definitely recommend it to a new Cradle Of Filth listener as I feel it is a crucial new addition to their career.
♦ 8/10
Christina X
