For 30 plus years Cradle of Filth has been one of the most enduring & consistent bands in heavy music. With a crypt full of classic albums under their belts, they are a national treasure. Never ones to rest on their laurels though, they go out of their way to ensure they never repeat themselves. The last decade of their illustrious career demonstrates this perfectly, with their last 4 offerings being some of their strongest.
As their output has become less outwardly profane & grotesque they’ve settled into a more refined and insidious form of artistry. There is a heavier focus on instrumentation on their latest The Screaming of the Valkyries.They have toned down the theatricality and dialled up the NWOBHM & Thrash influences creating a wonderfully nostalgic sounding album to get you headbanging amongst the headstones.
Opening track & single To Live Deliciously gallops in with the rumble of thousand hellhounds. It’s one of Cradle’s most immediate and propulsive album openers ever. Forgoing the usual instrumental introduction for something balls to wall right out of the gate lets you know what you’re in for.
Demagoguery keeps the pace set by the opener, with it’s stampeding rhythms, orchestral flourishes and old school riffing colliding to sound like the darkest song Mercyful Fate never wrote.
The Trinity of Shadows is all shred & stomp underpinned by majestic melodies and ritualistic chanting. It’s one of the album catchiest numbers, reminding you that Cradle can still pen an earworm or two when they want to
Non Omnis Moriar & White Hellebore bring Vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff to the forefront as her haunting tones wrap themselves around Dani’s main vocals complimenting and elevating them in both instances. The latter of the two particularly affords her a standout moment to make her presence felt.
The albums centrepiece is the grandiose You Are My Nautilus, which is the album’s longest song. A shapeshifting behemoth of a track that conjures imagery from the worlds of Conan the Barbarian & H.P Lovecraft. It gives Guitarists Marek ‘Ashok‘ Smerda & Donny Burbage the chance to really lock on with each other and create something truly special.
Ex Sanguine Draculae is a great summation of what Cradle of Filth was and what they are now. A vicious pummeling slice of gothic drenched Black Metal. It twists & turns it’s way around your ears with grinding riffs, and one of Dani’s best vocal performances. He sounds more sinister and commanding that he ever has, as the track rumbles along beneath him.
When Misery Was A Stranger ratchets up the melodrama and the operatics. It feels like it could be a lost b-side from the Nymphetamine sessions. Squealing guitar solos, down tempo riffing, dream like keys and another glorious duel vocal performance from Dani & Zoe. In my opinion this is one of the grandest and most interesting closing tracks they have ever written. It sends the album out on a huge high note.
The Screaming of The Valkyries is the sound of Cradle of Filth at their leanest, meanest and most full throated.Very few bands still sound this vital, fresh and brimming with ideas this far into a career as Cradle do here. This is another stellar collection from a band that much like a fine wine just keeps getting better with age.
The Screaming of The Valkyries is out on March 21st, 2025 via Napalm Records. For more information including pre orders head here
