Cradle Of Filth – The Screaming Of The Valkyries – CD Review

Cradle Of Filth.

Has there been a more iconic yet more divisive band amongst the metal community or the wider music industry as a whole? Some may have been introduced to the British act during their early “Dusk And Her Embrace” era of the mid-90s, the period during the mid-00s when the band entered a more commercial period with covers of ‘Devil Woman’ and appearances on ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ for Dani Filth getting more eyeballs on the band. Or if you’re like me, being traumatized yet enthralled as a 10-year-old and seeing the video to arguably their Magnus opus ‘Her Ghost On The Fog’ on Kerrang! TV. No matter what your opinion or introduction to the band, there’s no denying their influence on the extreme metal scene, and their status as a seminal pioneering band is undisputed.

Now, Cradle Of Filth is ready to unleash their 14^th studio album. What side of Cradle Of Filth will we see on this latest ritual? Let’s find out…

Well, I’m on my second consecutive listen which should tell you a lot! In many ways, “The Screaming Of The Valkyries” is one to be enjoyed in its entirety from front to back, left to right, from start to finish; pick your analogy. In either case, listening to this made me realize that the art of album writing is sadly a dying one, with little thought to the overall flow of songs. However, I felt as though Cradle Of Filth’s latest offering was considerable to this detail. There’ll be times when you’ll be headbanging to some of the blistering fast rhythms, being dragged into this extreme metal maelstrom and chewed up before being spat out at and chewed up at the will of this force of nature. However, some tactically placed quieter and slower sections will give you much-needed respite and time to breathe. There’s a sufficient compositional variety to ensure no section ever stays past its welcome and that the listener is fully engaged.

What about the instrumentation on this record? Guitars. Riffs. “The Screaming Of The Valkyries” demonstrates some of the best guitar work the band has produced for years! Whether it’s the blistering lead solos on ‘Demagoguery’ or ‘The Trinity Of Shadows’, or the choppy and chugging rhythms that form the spine to the majority of this album, Marek and Donny were given licenses to raise hell and showcase their undeniable talents. Speaking of spine, vocalist Dani has been ever present in the band in what could be described as a revolving door of members. His presence behind the mic is as fearsome as ever in a gnarly guttural attack.

His trademark high-pitched shrieks are used somewhat intermittently, especially during the early sections of the album, but when your ears are being shredded by them it makes you wonder how on earth he’s maintained such pristine technique and longevity 30+ years into his career! Another quality used sparingly in the early portions of the album are the backing vocals of Zoe Federoff. However, it’s really during ‘White Hellebore’ and ‘When Misery Was A Stranger’ that she gets her chance in the limelight, providing a wonderful juxtaposition to Dani’s lead vocals with a cleaner yet more ethereal and spine-chilling voice. Through a careful selection of synths and strikes of her keys, a dramatic gothic and symphonic undertone is provided to the band’s sound which has been signature since the very early days of the band.

 It’s easy to forget about Daniel and Martin holding the rhythm section on bass and drums respectively. Though they’re as crucial a cog in the overall sound, laying down this rhythmic foundation for the aforementioned blackened and sadistic ritual to take place. You’ll be reminded of this instantly during the first few seconds of ‘To Live Deliciously’!How does “The Screaming Of The Valkyries” compare to Cradle Of Filth’s previous efforts? This represents an ode to their early glory years of “Midian” with a more considered mature and complex approach to the overall composition of the album. In either case, this is a furiously loud statement. Cradle Of Filth are back and ready to reclaim their place at the table amongst extreme metal’s very elite.

Score: 9/10

TRACKLISTING

1. To Live Deliciously
2. Demagoguery
3. The Trinity Of Shadows
4. Non Omnis Moriar
5. White Hellebore
6. You Are My Nautilus
7. Malignant Perfection
8. Ex Sanguine Draculae
9. When Misery Was A Stranger
   Label – Napalm
   Release – 21st March 2025

   For all things, Cradle Of Filth, click HERE, and to purchase the album, click HERE