Cradle Of Filth The Screaming Of The Valkyries CD Review
One of my favorite pastimes has arrived! The release of a brand-new Cradle of Filth album… Or as my wife says, “Dirty Baby Beds”! Now, I know the world is packed with folks who just love to hate the band, why, I don’t know. But it seems like for every fan, there are 10 haters who do nothing but talk trash. If you don’t like them, then don’t listen, don’t buy their shit, don’t go to their shows, it’s that simple. Let those of us who love and admire the band bask in the joy of a new album.
I first got into the band in 1999, so I was a bit late. I’d heard of them and had listened to a track or two and I didn’t know what to think really. It wasn’t until I befriended a British gentleman who’d recently moved from the UK to the U.S. that I really got to listen to the band. My buddy was new in town, and he was a Metalhead, so his wife dropped him and a case of his CDS off at my place. The first CD we put on the box was “Dusk and Her Embrace”, it was an experience to say the least. It wasn’t the best thing I’d ever heard but my pal suggested he leave the CD with me so I could listen a few more times to really get the message and let it sink in, so that’s what I did. After about the 3rd
listen, and the 10th
liquor drink, it really clicked, and I became a Cradle of Filth fanatic! There was something so wonderful and special about the aggression, the arrangements and the symphonic elements. I also liked Dani’s vocals or well his wild ass screams. I also couldn’t really hear the influence of any other band and that made me admire them even more. The music was fresh, a whole new world of colors, sound and sights were opened to me on that day. I’ve been a day one purchaser of every album since “Midian”. The band has never disappointed me, sure some albums have been better than others and their sound has changed a bit here and there, but if you’re in a band you must grow/expand your sound and broaden your horizons, or you’ll eventually fall short. Specifically in the Black/Metal genre, this kind of music can and will turn stale quickly. I know some will disagree with the genre description – they always do, but what the hell else can this band be called, Rock N’ Roll – No. It’s Black/Extreme Metal, just because it’s not Kvlt anymore means nothing. Let that shit go, seriously. The band does sell, that doesn’t mean they’ve sold out, it means they’re being rewarded for their hard work.
Onto the band’s latest album “The Screaming of The Valkyries”, which is their 14th
studio release to date! Let me start off by saying this album is a lot more melodic and approachable than their last effort, “Existence is Futile”. No, the band hasn’t gone soft, not at all, but the melody is ramped and each track benefits greatly from it – there’s a hum-a-long quality to every tune if you can imagine that from a Cradle album. Having 2 new members in the fold seems to have ushered in a new feel and outlook. However, the band is still rough, and tumble and Dani Filth’s vocals are still gnarly and guaranteed to make your mother cry (or wife in my case). A lot of folks have pointed to the album “Nymphetamine” as being their most approachable effort, I’d say this new effort is in line with that album minus a great deal of the over-exaggerated symphonic/Gothic influences. “Valkyrie” is a more of a stripped-down effort that concentrates more on the Metallic aspect of the band/songs. It also reminds me of “Thornography” in certain spots, but it could just be the moodiness of a few of the tunes. As with every release, there are female vocals present, and they’re used in the same manner as before and yes, it does add a softness and a harmonious quality to the album. I won’t lie, I’m always hopeful that Sara Jezebel will make her way back into the group, I really prefer the thicker operatic female vocals intertwined with Filth’s screeches/screams – the beauty and the beast effect hasn’t been matched since her departure. That’s not to say the new female vocalist doesn’t hold up, she absolutely does – she has a Loreena McKennitt type tone to her vocals which is unique and fun – ethereal and angelic. Dani Filth’s lyrical content is as interesting as ever and his vocals, while not extremely high-pitched, are still on point. Overall this album is filled with killer riffs, blistering leads/fills - it's a guitarist's wet dream. I don't play guitar worth a damned but I've been air guitaring my ass off to this album. Production/Recording wise, the band outdoes themselves once more, dropping a magnificently recorded album – can any band out there out do C.O.F. when recording an album? Seriously – this band never releases anything that doesn’t sound amazing, you might not like it, but you damned sure have to respect it.
This was the most anticipated album of 2025 for me, and it didn’t disappoint, not in the slightest. I pre-ordered without listening to the single, I don’t need to check out a C.O.F. track to know I’m going to love the album. There’s something magical about this band – Dani Filth might be the only original member left, but he has a knack for surrounding himself with talented players that see and hear music the same way he does. While some fans are always hopeful for a return to “Dusk” or “Cruelty” the band continues to evolve and morph into something far greater than any of us ever thought possible. This album will certainly find its way into my top ten of the year, I’m sure it will be on several others lists as well and it would be well deserved.
Stand out tracks – every damned song, but for the hell of it, here are my absolute go to tracks – “Demagoguery”, “White Hellebore”, “Non Omnis Moriar”, “To Live Deliciously” and “When Misery Was A Stranger”.