Tracks:

A Bruise Upon The Silent Moon
The Promise Of Fever
Hurt And Virtue
An Enemy Led The Tempest
Damned In Any Language ( A Plague On Words)
Better To Reign In Hell
Serpent Tongue
Carrion
The Mordant Liquor Of Tears
Presents From The Poison-Hearted
Doberman Pharaoh
Babalon A.D. (So Glad For The Madness)
A Scarlet Witch Lit The Season
Mannequin
Thank God For The Suffering
The Smoke Of Her Burning
End Of Daze

I remember the first time I heard about Cradle of Filth. I was in this music store called Rock of Ages in Garden City, Michigan. Rock of Ages was the only cool store around that carried a nice selection of the hard to find (which is most of it) metal music. I was flipping through their selection of posters when I came across the "Supreme Vampyric Evil" poster. I've long been a fan of all things dark and gothic and this immediately caught my eye. "Cradle of Filth" proclaimed the top of the poster. Cool. I didn't know if it was supposed to be a band or a movie or what, but it was cool.

Anyway, a few days later I was talking with my work buddy Cris, and mentioned the poster. He knew who they were and said that I should check them out. So next time I was out there I picked up their current-at-the-time release "Dusk…And Her Embrace." This was a whole new world to me. I had only recently come into the fold of the (then) new black metal movement and the extreme music combined with the wonderful gothic synth just blew me away. It screamed out all the rage and frustration in my heart while also speaking to the dark beauty and dreams of my soul. And let us not forget the lyrics, or dark poetry. I had never seen such words before. I was immediately a fan.

Since then there have been a handful of CoF releases, some better than others, but I always come back for more when new material happens along. When I heard CoF was releasing their new CD on Sony I had two initial thoughts on the subject. First, will this be the sell-out album that brings them commercial success while alienating the hardcore fans (something that has been an issue with this band from day one it seems.) My next thought was "Wow, they will probably have their best studio budget yet, this could sound really awesome!"

Now that I have had the CD for awhile, I can gladly say that "Damnation and a Day" really does sound dark and majestic like none of the other releases. Instead of using synths they actually hired an orchestra, and what a difference it makes. The sound on this CD is HUGE and evil as all hell.

CoF have always had interesting song titles, but Dani went all out on this release. Titles like "Damned in Any Language (A Plague on Words)" and "The Smoke of Her Burning" speak of black atrocities to come.

Dani's vocals are in perfect form as usual. Screeching and scathing highs mixed with demonic lows. No complaints here.

As for the music, what can I say. If there is a soundtrack to the apocalypse, these guys will be tapped for the recording session. The guitars pummel you in a riff-raging frenzy, and then caress you with melodic leads until you are ready for another beating. The orchestra adds incredible atmosphere to the whole disc.

What else can I say? Go out and purchase "Damnation and a Day" before it comes looking for you!

I saw CoF at the 9:30 Club last year with Nile and God Forbid and it was a spectacular show for all the bands involved. I am eagerly looking forward to catching Cradle on Ozzfest this year. I wonder what the masses will make of them? See you in the pit! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!