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Cradle Of Filth
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Nymphetamine
Roadrunner Records
Release: 3/01/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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On this, their latest full-length record, British extreme metal
band, Cradle of Filth, is like athletes that have reached their
prime form. Previous outings have been mostly good with
the odd bit of filler here and there (except for 2000's
Midian which was sterling).
Nymphetamine boasts 14 tracks that are all
way above average. They've also injected a bit more
melody by simplifying the ideas slightly and adding a couple
of twists.
The choir-of-the-dead beckons listeners closer in the
record's intro, "Satyrasis." "Gilded C***" leaps from the
speakers like Charles Manson released from jail. Following
hot on the heels is "Nemesis," a lumbering behemoth of a
piece. Think Godzilla in a pair of Converse. A double bass
intro and Maiden-like twin guitar power set the base over
which flows the howl and growl vocals of Dani
Filth.
One of the many highlights of the record is next, "Gabrielle."
A keyboard-fueled intro belies the fury that follows. Dani
Filth hits new heights with his piercing screams. Equally
impressive is the follow-up, "Absinthe with Faust." Another
Martin Foul (keyboards) intro precedes a driving masterpiece
that has swagger emanating from it.
The jewel of the set is the title track, "Nymphetamine
(Overdose)." The nine-minute tour-de-force begins with a
furious pace and howling-wind vocals. In the middle, the
song changes gears and features guest vocals from Leaves'
Eyes singer Liv Kristine. Kristine and Dani trade verses
before hitting an awesome chorus. It's like a song within a
song. It then shifts back to the riffing from the beginning of
the song. This is easily the best song Cradle has ever
done.
The instrumental "Painting Flowers White Never Suited My
Palette" cools things off before the jackhammer drilling of
"Medusa and Hemlock." A punk-crossed, Maiden-ish "Coffin
Fodder" speeds along like a runaway racecar. The stately
"English Fire" is both refined and raw with its keyboards and
"Dead Man Squawking" vocals.
"Filthy Little Secret" is a gleeful slash and maim exercise that
rolls along at a wicked pace. The very Cradle-ish,
"Swansong for a Raven" is next, featuring Doug Bradley (of
Pinhead fame). The only average cut is the final track,
"Mother of Abominations," which is raw and abrasive. It's
actually not a bad cut but pales in comparison to the others.
The record finishes with a bonus track, "Nymphetamine
(Fix)," which is the middle part of the title track.
This is an exceptional record that shows Cradle have clearly
raised their game. The production is way better here than
on any previous release, thanks to Rob Cagianno (of
Anthrax). The band, bassist Dave Pybus, guitarists Paul
Allender and James McKillboy, keyboardist Martin Foul,
drummer Adrian Erlandsson, vocalist Dani Filth, and backup
vocalist, Sarah Jezebel Deva have never sounded better.
And the songs are all top-notch. Lyrically, Dani Filth has
reached far into his bag of goth/mythological prose to pen
some sparkling lyrics.
In a perfect world, they would be hitting America in a big
way as opening acts to somebody like Slayer (as Dave
Pybus suggests). Meanwhile, one of the most visually
exciting live acts today has finally captured a set on record
that matches their ambitions. Look out 2005. If there's any
justice in the world, this should be the year of Cradle of Filth. |
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