Cruelty & Beast

Cradle Of Filth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 5, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fierce Records
• ASIN: B000006OPR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (149 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,390 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Once upon Atrocity

2. Thirteen Autumns and a Widow

3. Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids

4. Beneath the Howling Stars

5. Venus in Fear

6. Desire in Violent Overture

7. The Twisted Nails of Faith

8. Bathory Aria: Benighted Like Usher/A Murder of Ravens in ...

9. Portrait of the Dead Countess

10. Lustmord and Wargasm (The Lick of Carnivorous Winds)

Editorial Reviews

1998 album for the black metal band, their second to be released domestically. Uncompromising, dynamic & powerful stuff. 13 tracks. A Mayhem Records release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Supreme Vampyric Listening Enjoyment!, February 20, 2000

By 

Marktallica (Rota, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cruelty & Beast (Audio CD)

If you're bored of today's American "metal" movement, I strongly reccomend this album! I guarantee it will be a breathe of fresh air! Although this band does not stay true to pure black metal (though most people label them that), this CD is without a doubt one of the best of 1999! This is Cradle of Filth at their very best! However, if you're looking for 1000 mph soloing free for alls, you won't get it from CoF. This band has plenty of method behind the madness. Any guitarist who appreciates teamwork, will appreciate the way Stuart and Gian play off of each other instead of fight each other for solos. Their guitar work is often reminiscent of those classic Iron Maiden harmonized riffs! Real guitar fans surely will not be dissapointed. And needless to say, the drums are insane on this album! It might take a while for you to get used to it, but after you get used to those neck-breaking beat changes, they will grow on you faster than a beastiophile runs for a Petting Zoo. The only thing that could turn some listeners off is Dani Filth's vocals. At first, his screeching might come off as just plain annoying, but after a while, his voice begins to fit the music. At times he sounds like a demonically possessed madman (low-bellowing growl), and other times he captures the sounds of a demon emerging from the fiery pits of Hell (demonic shrieking). Nonetheless, this guy's voice will grow on you, no doubt. And contrary to what some people think, no struggling is needed to get accustomed to this album; just an open mind. If your new to Cradle, I strongly suggest this album first! And as for Cradle fans, this album without a doubt surpasses "Dusk...And Her Embrace". I feel that they took the basic idea of "Dusk" and took it to a brilliantly brutal level! I can't even begin to name my favorite tracks on this album; the whole album is epic. Songs like, "Bathory Aria", and "Beneath The Howling Stars" contain some truly melodic parts in them, while songs like "Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids" and "The Twisted Nails of Faith" just plain rock! So if your looking for a huge breathe of fresh air, and a band that combines raw emotion, beauty, and unsettling melodies,and yet is still very much capable of bashing your head in, check out this CD and there's no way in hell you'll be dissapointed!

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is no beast without cruelty, July 15, 2004

By 

John "Ira" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cruelty and the Beast (Audio CD)

While not as Heavy as "dusk and her embrace" or as fast as "the principle of evil made flesh" this is some of the most beautiful music i have ever listened to in my opinion. "cruelty and the beast" tells the story of a one Elizebeth Bathory from the 1600's ( I apoligize if that isnt the exact time) Whom had a liking for virgin blood. It follows her from her Rise to her demise. Through Dani's lyrics the story is wonderfully told. This is an album, where I can find something special about every track. I feel they really had a goal to set for themselves as a band when they recorded this album and I believe they reached it. Now I hear many whom aren't fans of cof complain about the style of dani filth's vocals, are they a little odd and unique? Yes. Now onto my thoughts on the tracks. I will not explain the concept of the album because chances are you already know it. So i will just give my personal opinions.

Once upon atrocity - 4/5 I really believe cof trys there best with there short insturmentals and they are usually worth a few listens

Thirteen autumns and A widow - 10/5 The 1st song I heard when I bought this album it truly blew me away.

Cruelty Brought thee orchids 5/5 Definetly a fan favorite and for good reason I love dani's style of vocals in this song.

Beneath the howling star - 6/5 A beautiful song I love Sara's (backing female vocals) In this song

Veuns in fear - 3/5 Probably the only cof insturmental I have not been able to get into.

Desire in violent overture - 5/5 Another incredible song I lvoe the guitar in this one, it goes from a heavy solo and it becomes more melodic throughout the song.

The twisted nails of faith - 5/5 I love the lyrics in this one has a very eerie violin intro.

Bathory Aria - 20/5 Truly an epic if forced to pick a favorite song on this album it would be this song. Clocking in at over 11 minutes its truly beautiful and a masterpiece.

Portrait of the dead countess - 4/5 A good insturmental sets the mood for the final song.

Lustmord and wargasm( the lick of carnivorous winds) - 6/5 Incredible song beautiful intro. The final chapter in the incredible story that is "cruelty and the beast"

DISC 2 ( BONUS CD)

Now, onto the bonus cd. (NOTE: none of the these songs are involved with the story, unless you count the redone version of Lustmord and wargasm)

Lustmord and Wargasm ( therelicking of cadaverous wounds) - 6/5 As good as the origional. Nothing to say about this that I haven't already said.

Black Metal - 4/5 A good cover song Dani definetly did well here vocal wise.

Hallowed be thy name - 20/5 Incredible iron maiden cover. Just incredible possiblly the best cover song I have ever heard.

Sodomy and lust 4/5 A good Metal song not much else to say.

Twisting further nails - 3/5 a DECENT remix of the twisted nails of faith. Seems to techno at points to be cof worth a listen though.

In conclusion a beautiful album you will need to hear for yourself. Enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EPIC, May 12, 2005

By 

innosynze "l49backer" (McAllen,TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cruelty and the Beast (Audio CD)

Cradle's best work without a doubt. This is a masterpiece to the fullest. Just buy it and listen, you will be blown away!