Customer Reviews

Damnation & A Day

5 star:		(116)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I first of all have to say I have been a huge cradle of filth fan for many years. The album damnation and a day is great my rating on this does not reflect the music on the album but it is a direct response to the import Japanese version with quote unquote extra tracks. if I could id give the music on the album 4 stars, but as for this version of the cd it gets one star. there is nothing special about this album the extra track mentioned is the musical piece " end of days " this track is available on the 15 dollar version of the album. the only things you can expect to be extra with this version are
1. A extra book of the lyrics written in Japanese
2. The cardboard spine that will come covering the side of the cd
3. 2 stickers that are on the cd packaging, one of the stickers say made in Japan, and the other has some Japanese writing with the words Party-Dude written in English in the middle of all the Japanese

for all you people who are considering buying this version may I suggest instead buying the regular American release version

I will admit, i am not a HUGE cradle of filth fan, nor was i ever. However since roughly 1995 ive kept my eye on COF so to speak. Every album that comes out by COF caught my attention and i always ended up listening to a few songs, but never buying an album. I didnt buy them mostly becasue they were overpriced and hard to find and becasue i just never found a reason to buy one. but ive always enjoyed their odd charm. Recently i saw "damnation..." ..., so i picked it up and after 3 straight through listenings, i can say that COF is a solid band. The first thing that i noticed was dani's banshee'esque screams, which can throw one off upon a first listen, and the excellent song structure that the band posesses. One more thing that throws me off is the opera-like choir singing that at times soungs a little cheezy. However, if you sit down uninteruppted (like in a car ride) and listen to most of the album straight through. You will be taken on a excellent and interesting musical ride. The addition of a full orchestra greatly adds to the sound and the songs which are fair in length take bounds and leaps and are not repetative, keeping the listener enthralled for the whole 77 minutes. So, if you're into metal and are looking for a completly different experience then this album is for you, but i must warn, that this album is not for everyone nor was it written for everyone. This isn't a song to song album, but a full concept connected album covering everything from classical pieces to blastbeats and screams of agony. So if youre not a fan take a chance and you just might find a nice treat for your ears...and if youre a fan of COF this album will meet all your demands. Enjoy.

This is the first Cd that i heard by COF. To tell the truth i really do like them. The CD from the first song to the last is like a horror theatric show done in music. I'm not much on alot of black metal and gothic metal but this band is in a catergory all by themselves. I like the style they present their music. I just got this Cd today and have heard it front to back. I was impressed considering i heard they are not really good and the screaming gets old. But Dani mixes everything up pretty good i think. They are the type that requires a taste for but i do like the way they put it together and for anybody that want a ride through the darkness then i say get this band and try them out. A real good starter for a person just curious about COF.

People who are into other extreme music, meaning not Korn or Disturbed, will find the utter beuty and sheer delight in listening to this epic album.
This album is well written, well produced and well recorded with no shortcuts taken. You will find it overwhealming from the guitar riffs to the vocal acrobats that Dani Filth puts you through.
The best thing about Cradle of Filth is that it doesn't bore you with the popular and mainstream songwriting form. Songs actually build and have more to them than just an A and B section. the arrangements go beyond just your guitar bass and drums by adding a choir, orchestra and solo female vocals.
So take this album home darken your room (or listen on a stormy night) and kick back with your favorite beer and smoke and enjoy the next 76 minutes for it will take your mind soaring with all the dark imagry it beholds.

From the opening thunderclaps of "A Bruise Upon The Silent" which crecendos into a glorious chat and gregor accompanied by the philharmonics of a darker place, a void. Then "The Promise" explodes in your lulled existence with a force of earlier said thunderclaps. It rolls on with the sandstorm twists and confusions that fill the ears with a sense of urgent desparation. "Hurt & Virtue" bounces like a METAL STUDDED WRECKINGBALL tumbled loose from it's chain and hammering upward and downward on the helpless concrete below. Gears shift mid song to a thorougbred gallop and winds you down an unlit road at neckbreak speed. Put on headphones and then close your eyes at 3:55 of track 3 and you can actually feel the music taking you down an old dirty winding road by horse carriage wheels bouncing on gravel at that aforementioned neckbreak speed! "An Enemy lead the Tempest" is pure technical death metal ala In Flames or groovier Six Feet Under. Double bass drums batters your ears in a stereo smackdown. An aural massage you can't miss at 2:40 of track 4. The grandiose vision that is the theme of this epic is being fully realized by this point and like a good book you can't put it down. By the time you get to the eliptical wrangling of "Thy Serpent Tongue" 's opener sets you on a new journey than takes on more of an urgency from Tongue to the death metal of "Carrion" and through to the arrival of the Mighty Egyptian empire in "Doberman Pharoah." Grand is this portion of the journey! HOLD THY HEAD DOWN WHEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PHAROAH! A serpent kisses your stunned lips as the Doberman visits "Babylon" and the sultry tempations of Babylon are dangled for the listener to accept or reject. "A Scarlet Witch Lit the Season" on your way through this journey but you run into the darkness that is "Mannequin" This is one of the true beasts on this cd. A metallic monster that just jumps on you and devours. A highlight. "Thank God The Suffering" in a lurching dragger than makes your white knuckles bleed. When we reach the "End of Daze", the clouds open above the skies as the trumpets sound the coming of the days of revelations. This is not an end but only a beginning. The Journey may have ended but it is not permanent but only a respite. Cradle of Filth have left me pondering. It will leave you pondering the same. And you. And you. Hail The Filth! This is five star entertainment.

Well, many who thought this album would become a commercial crapfest were thankfully proven wrong upon its release. I will not go into whether or not CoF are 'true' Black Metal, that subject has no place on a review forum. Instead I will get into the actual review for the album.
With the full orchestra and conceptual songwriting delivered on this album, CoF have crafted an interesting and entertaining piece of work that shows off their many influences. They are, or at least have roots from, Black Metal in its idea of controversy, which is the heart of Black Metal. This album is focused on the story of Satan falling from heaven and waging his war on the divine horde and its followers. Yes many bands do songs and albums dealing with the Dark One, but rarely do they portray him in such a humane and sympathetic light. In this albums story he is portrayed more as a wronged individual and somewhat of an anti-hero rather than a simple evil monster. Satan has feelings too could very well be the message of this album, and such thought is at the heart of what makes this album good.
The music is anything but commercial, unless your idea of commercial is screeching, indecipherable vocals (and vocals are what mainstream music is focused on), and songs that are beyond what the casual music fan would listen too. If you where a fan of the bands older work, than this may not be too far off. Now that Dusk and Her Embrace is a definite classic, its hard for the band to better themselves with each new album. This one is nowhere nearly as influential, yet it is in a league of its own. The orchestral parts only add to the Metal riffs, which are in the same vein as the ones on the Midian album, and the keys are well placed and used properly. Danis vocals, while many bash him for them, are quite good for what they are. He seems to have actually structuralized them, using a myriad of voices to further the vocal aspect of the songs. They still need to be read through a couple of times before they can be understood, yet another mainstream no-no. Overall this is not a disapointment for fans who thought it would be. Its no Dusk but its still pretty good.
And finally, to all who insist all CoF fans are 14-year old girls who have never heard of Bathory, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Celtic Frost or Venom I say that I listen to all those bands as well as many other 'true' Black Metal bands, and I am no 14 year old girl. I have been following the Black Metal movement since I was 20 and four years later I still am. Black Metal has evolved and will continue to evolve in the years to come.......

When dealing with Cradle of Filth, there are a few things you must realize. They are not black metal, not in that norweigen burning the churches down playing to the form type of black metal. But wants just black metal? They are not dangerous, they are not evil, they are not dark. The fact that they tote themselves to be from time to time is unfortunate. However if you can get past the hype and anti hype buzzing around this band (and there is no reason why you cn't), this album is pretty damn good. The one word to describe it would be epic. They try for all the songs to have this grand sweeping melodic feel to it one way or another. And it excells at it, with the most likely unintentional side effect of being more listenable than most extreme metal. It had a good balance some fast some slow, some catchy some crunchy. As with most Cradle, each song has clearly defined and separate parts for each instrument, as opposed to the Creed-like all in unison bullcrap. This creates a higly textured feel which especially works well with the overall mood of this work. I appreciate when artists try to cover the whole canvas stylisticly and otherwise. I wanted to give this cd 4 1/2 stars because I still liked Dusk and Her Embrace more. This one comes a close second though. Snobby black metal purists who hate catchy music should probably look elsewhere. But for those looking for an interesting listen, you could do much worse.

I had huge expectations about this, all of which have been fulfilled. Now, I for one wasn't scared at all of Cradle signing with Sony, I thought, well, they might get to do what they want - finally.

And jeez, did they blow me away. From the intro to outro, not a single pause. (Except for the linkers, but hey, one's got to breathe!) The Promise of Fever is exactly that - a sample of this very feverish album, followed by Hurt and Virtue. I was out walking the dog while listening to that track first, so I suppose that I made a fool of myself playing air guitar with one hand and holding a furry beast with the other.

Let me set this down from the beginning - there is not a single weak track on this CD. The track that is least to my liking would be Babalon AD, and that is not a bad ebb-mark. The favourite track - which might be my favourite black metal track ever - is The Smoke of Her Burning, a very varied track, but very fast, and with a very 'outro' feel. Yes, the order of the tracks on this CD is perfect, they blend very nicely into each other.

What surprises me is that this record is very similar to Cruelty and The Beast. Both the overall layout of the recording, as well as the individual tracks, sometimes sound very CatB:y. Also, a good deal of what we saw started on Bitter Suites is extrapolated onto this disc. Not much Midian influences though, which I miss a bit. What I also miss is Sarah Deva, she's been donned a very small role on this album - no lyrics at all, for instance. (As far as I can tell)

The lyrics are killers as always, telling the story of Lucifer (although he's called Feriluce here), and Dani's plays (plagues) on words are everywhere, and as witty as ever.

In short, killer album. Although not what I would call extreme, still very hard, very listenable.

If your into Dark and Menacing Metal with an Extreme side than this will be to your liking. The album begins with an Intro of storms and orchestral epicness(I know its not a word, but it fits). After the Intro you are taken on a ride of fast paced Gothed out Black Metal full of pummeling double bass work and ear slaying guitar riffing. Dani Filth(vocalist) has always used a controversial style of vocals, Ranging from girlish shrieks to low audible baritone and everything in between. The tempo for the most part is fast paced though not mind boggling fast to where the music isn't audible for our more timid metal fans but fast enough to keep you head banging.

Truth be told I believe this is Cradle of Filth's last Extreme album. Compared to everything released after this it is obvious Filth 'n' Co is quickly dissolving away there questionable Black Metal roots in order to gain a larger audience. If your looking for Gothic Metal look else where though theres an obvious Dark aura to Damnation and a Day it's fair from the melodic stylings of the Goth sub genres. If your looking for Dark moody Extreme Metal than this album should be right up your ally.

My Favorite Tracks:

-An Enemy Led The Tempest
-Better To Reign In Hell
-Serpent Tounge
-Babalon A.D.
-Mannequin
-Thank God For The Suffering

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Holy crapola! Take cover, our favorite goth metallers Cradle of Filth inked a major label deal!! (cries of "sell-out ring) Ah, no worries... For me, at least. I think it's a bloody brilliant album. Great concept, pefectly executed, and Cradle of Filth are still their old selves.

Many bash this CD with a large bias, saying it's a "sell-out" CD because it's a major label release aimed toward the "mall-goths" or "trendies". If so, I must be the biggest follower on Earth, because I can't help but love this album. CoF have seemed to never let me down, and always amaze me on how their sound takes a paradigm shift with nearly album, while still maintaining their goth-metal roots.

These fine British fellows (exception of Mr. Erlandsson, who is Swedish) decided to take their already largely symphonic sound to the next level by incorporating a full-scale orchestra and choir to create a grandiose and larger-than-life atmosphere, which is quite an understatement. Norwegian metallers Dimmu Borgir would also follow this route later on in the year with their acclaimed release "Death Cult Armageddon". However, unlike Dimmu, Cradle of Filth did not sacrifice their musical complexity, nor their attitiude. The guitar riffs still hold their mean edge with a gothic twang, the drums are as battering as ever, and Dani Filth still shrieks like a demented squirrel. The end result is the perfect collaboration of the most extreme of extreme metal and the pompousness of a symphony... Attempted by many, but none can acheive an atmosphere quite like this.

To say the least, "Damnation and a Day" is a concept album, and not a light one... Oh no, Cradle have taken their tongues out of their cheeks and are 100% serious on this album. The concept is simple: The rise and fall of Lucifer throughout the Holy Bible, everything from the creation of the earth and heavens to Armageddon itself. The lyrics have moven from romantic, Faustian poetry to scripture-like stanzas. (written by Dani of course) But this isn't to say that Dani lost his "touch". His writing style is still as elegant, mysterious, and obscure as ever. He still uses his dark analogies and poetic style. Also new to this album is dialogue. You see, there are several "chapters" to the album, and interludes of scripture-readings by an eerie-voiced man precede each chapter, respectfully. So the whole album seems to unfold itself as it goes along. It's one of those albums where you can't listen to one song and then not be left scratching your head or begging for more. Patience, dear...

The production here is great. The guitar tone holds a lot of bass to it, and the bass itself is very clear. Adrian's drums are amazing as always, especially on "The Promise of Fever", "An Enemy Led the Tempest", and "End of Daze". He batters the bass drum to bits, but leaves a lot of room for the music to speak for itself, and has a lot of complexities in his style. The symphony and choir register on the high end, holding clarity and tone.

1. A Bruise Upon the Silent Moon- And here we start out journey. The sound of thunder gives way to eerie strings and fading brass. The suspense finally lets loose, and rages into...

2. The Promise of Fever- Woah! Didn't see that, did ya? Adrian's pummeling blasts lead the way for the screaming guitars, and guide the listener through a series of full-throttle metal assaults. The guitars here are great, as well as the symphony and choir work. This is an amazing opening track! 5/5

3. Hurt and Virtue- One of my personal favorites on the album. Great riffs here, and there are some complimentary female vocals. Adrian throws in some interesting double bass. The song slows down near the middle, before bursting back into a furious cycle of double bass and melodic riffs. 5/5

4. An Enemy Led the Tempest- One of the more "metal" songs with crushing riffs, accented by the choir. Adrian shows off his skills on this song, with some intricate tom work and mercyless blastbeats. 5/5

5. Damned in Any Language (A Plague on Words)- Thus Chapter 2 begins... An alright instrumental, but nothing overly special. It doesn't have that "feel" that track 1 did, but has a powerful brass part. 3/5

6. Better to Reign in Hell- One of my personal favorites, again. Good riffs, and Dani does a good job complimenting the diabolical mood of this song. 5/5

7. Serpent Tongue- A bit "softer" than the other songs, but has some brilliant guitar work, and some haunting pianos courtesy of Martin, who actually arranged many of the symphonic parts on this album. A good song, but not great. 3/5

8. Carrion- I personally find this song addicting with its chugging guitars, upbeat tempo, and grandiose atmosphere. A high point on the album. 5/5

9. The Mordent Liquor of Tears- And here we are with Chapter 3 brimming at the horizon. This intro is much better than any of the other instrumentals with its mysterious, almost sombre mood. It's also the longest of all the interludes. 4/5

10. Presents From the Poison-Hearted- This somewhat recalls the older feel of CoF's previous material, especially with the choir and harpsichord. The guitars have a lot of crunch here, and Dani's vocals border on truly and utterly insane. The keyboard break near the middle is amazing as well... Great song. 4/5

11. Doberman Pharoah (Destiny Wore a Bondage Mask)- Another favorite of mine. The guitars have that Egyptian quality to them before storming into a full-on metal assault, and retaining an intense mood throughout the whole song. 5/5

12. Babalon A.D. (So Glad for the Madness)- The promo single for the album. Great guitar harmonizations, and killer vocal work as well. 5/5

13. A Scarlet Witch Lit the Season- Eh, this is another interlude, and quite a tedious one... 2/5

14. Mannequin- Another promo single, and one of the best tracks on the album. The guitar work is VERY catchy, and Martin laces in some great keyboard and symphony work. A top-notch song. 5/5

15. Thank God for the Suffering- Another great song, with a bit of a "mournful" feel, especially in how the symphony blends with the bleak guitars. Later, the song intensifies, and drops back to main cycle. 5/5

16. The Smoke of Her Burning- A whirlwind, furious closer of a song with light-speed guitars and blazing drums. A great closer, leaves the listener wanting more. 4/5

17. End of Daze- Dischordnance and dissonance in the symphony leave the listener stranded in a wake of nightmares, and closes the album on a terrifying note. 4/5

All that needs to be said... If you're a metal fan, you may or may not like this album. If you're an old-school CoF fan, you probably won't like it. Me? I personally love it. Highly reccommended, it's easy to see CoF as a continual rising force in metal. Definitely one of the top metal albums of 2003.