Customer Reviews

Midian

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Debate on the validity of Cradle of Filth has been raging in the black metal community for the best part of five years. Self-appointed "true" black metallers do not consider CoF to be true black metal. No, CoF are not as raw as Dark Throne, early Burzum, or Mayhem. No, they don't play as fast as Marduk. No, their atmosphere and songwriting ability is not equal to that of Emperor. And the cardinal sin for the subterranean black metal judges, CoF have sold too many albums! Look a little further into CoF, and you will see why they have sold so well. The band does not fall into the black metal trap of having to have paper thin production, indecipherable strangled cat vocals, and one dimensional songwriting. Midian is an excellent example of what a band can do when they do not follow the true black metal path, and people have voted with their wallets. Without getting into any sub-genre labelling arguments, this is first and foremost a metal album. Yes, metal, that long forgotten music form, played with loud guitars, guitar solos, over the top vocals, and the lyrics cover irreverent subjects like vampires, sex, and, er... sex with vampires... If you're a "true" black metal fan, you will hate this. If you're a fan of metal in general, check it out.

I just got the cd on the day it was released full of anticipation. I have loved COF for a few years now, and I enjoy every one of their efforts even though each one is different from the next. Cradle once again shows on "Midian" that they are not afraid to take their unique blend of dark metal in new directions. Im sure a few fans will not appreciate some of the efforts on this record but I for one think that it is a superb record. The only flaw is the track Satanic Mantra , im really not sure why this was put on this otherwise perfect record, luckily its only about a minute long. Stand outs on the cd are- "Saffron's Curse, Tearing the veil from grace, and Her ghost in the fog.

It seems that when a band says that they will show a big evolution and experimentation in the new album means that they are going soft (there are million of examples of this rule) none the less I went to buy the new Cradle of Filth Album which I heard had the two fatal words Evolution and Experimentation. Well after hearing the album several times I have to say that YES THE BAND SHOWS A BIG EVOLUTION AND IMPROVEMENT AND YES THERE IS A LOT OF EXPERIMENTATION IN THE SOUND (Mustly off beats and female choruses). BUUUUTTTTT.... the band didn't go soft at all more like they polished their great style (which I already loved before) and made for sure one of the best albums to come. This album is amazingly good. I cant stop listening to it and everytime I Love it more, Dani's Voice has reach perfection as well the guitars and drums have improved so much without forgetting the beautiful harmonies of the keyboards. In resume this album is a Must CRadle of Filth just made a classic. Midian doesn't have a bad song, is absolutly perfect. This proves to all the other bands that Evolution and experimentation are not sinonimus of radio friendly. MIdian deserves in every way the biggest rating.

This goes out to all the one-star reveiwers: Please, please, please get that rod out of your a**. So what if this CD isn't "true" black metal? What is the definition of true black metal, anyway? What is the definition of good music? Everyone has a slightly different taste, and in my opinion these guys are VERY talented. What you may think is good music is dribble to the next person. This album may not be true black metal according to you music snobs out there, but who really cares? It's just plain GOOD, even great. Just once try listening to the album without being close-minded and stubborn, stuck on your definition of what real music is or isn't.

As for the actual review, five stars all the way, almost perfect. Haunting, evil, scary, all that good stuff. After a year it still gives me an Out of Body Experience. Atmosphereic, dark, beautiful(though some songs get quite nasty, but that's not a bad thing) basically all the stuff you've already heard from the other five-star reviewers. The only way you shouldn't get this album is if you're someone that doesn't like this kind of music(which questions why you're here anyway), religious, or if you're someone like those one-star reviewers that suffer from the buttrod disease.

"Midian," Cradle's fifth studio release, is considered by many fans to be their best. And even though I can't really discern between Cradle of Filth albums, this C.D. is also a good one to get if you're new to this British dark metal group.

"Midian" combines brains with brawn. "Midian" is mentioned in the Bible via the Midianites, an Arab tribe which assigns as their ancestor an eponym called Madian, the son of Abraham by Qetourah--wikipedia.org. Thus, this album is one with a concept/story behind it; it is a concept album. But "Midian," like most Cradle albums, is also quite brutal. Adrian's drumming is very fast and deft, and Dani constantly shrieks like a little girl who touched a hot stove; but it's Paul's scorching, spiteful guitar riffing that dominates the salvo.

"At the Gates of Midian" is just a little intro. It uses a choir and what sounds like a violin to create a very ominous sound.
"Cthulhu Dawn" has a fast drum beat and some keyboards, but they don't stand a chance against the rip-roaring riffs. This song, like the album, feels very dark and cold.
"Saffron's Curse" is six and a half minutes long. It begins with-what sounds like-some twinkling keyboards. That part abruptly ends when the fast, explosive, churning guitars make an entrance. I enjoy how this song, creatively, uses a soft-loud, up-down song structure. During one part where it's quiet, a piano and some female, spoken word vocals enter the mix.
"Death Magick for Adepts" has more big, pounding riffs, but this song occasionally turns to just Dani sneering over a drum beat. A deep, low voice takes Dani's place near the end, and it ends with the sound of thunder.
"Lord Abortion" is about seven minutes long. It begins with a slow lead in, but then a big, deep yell, stomping drums, and more heavy churning riffs make an entrance.
"Amor E Morte" is dominated by Adrian, the drummer. He creates a fast running/driving beat and doesn't let up. A pair of guitar solos are thrown in, but Adrian's work really shines, here.
"Creatures that Kissed in Cold Mirrors" uses a xylophone (or something) to make another creepy, ominous interlude.
"Her Ghost in the Fog" is highlighted by more propulsive guitar work, including a face-melting pick slide.
"Satanic Mantra" is another interlude, with spoken word chants of: "Arch angel, dark angel, lend me thy light..."
"Tearing the Veil from Grace" is another explosive, speaker shaking headbanger, which may be the heaviest track on "Midian." It has more roaring, brooding, and running, cascading riffs.
"Tortured Soul Asylum" begins with a few spoken words, so I thought it was going to be just a short outro; but it changes gears and becomes another densely noisy and heavy, opaque rocker.

I can't imagine why one would think that "Midian" isn't a good place to start if you're new to this band, but even if it isn't, Cradle definitely use all of their best, famous qualities: dark, rip roaring, riffs, explosive beats, shrieking vocals, etc., etc.

It's hard not to give this album five stars. Since it is very good, I'll give it a 4.5 star rating, but, like almost all black metal, "Midian" does get somewhat monotonous. That shouldn't stop you, however, from getting this album if you're a dark/black metal fan, or a fan of this band. Even casual Cradle fans should probably own this album. Plus, if you want a well rounded heavy metal collection, you'll need to have some dark metal in it, too, and if you're new to that genre, let me recommend this album, because I don't think anyone does what they do better than Cradle of Filth.

The biggest problem many had with this album was the vocals. No doubt about it, to any normal person, the singing of one Dani Filth is irritating and annoying. It grow on you, though, and this isn't the "worst" his voice has ever been (listen to "Dusk and Her Embrace" and you'll know what I mean).

The "horrible vocals" aside, this album is an absolute gothic masterpiece. The songs are all very dark, especially from the keyboards, and have lyrics to match. There really is not a single bad song on this entire album and in fact includes some of Cradle's most popular work, including "Her Ghost in the Fog," "Cthulhu Dawn," and "Lord Abortion."

The story regards Midian, the city of sinners and the like. Each song seems to depict the sins of a seperate being or group through themes of dark romances, vampirism and monsterous creatures.

Here's how I rate each song:

1. At The Gates of Midian - The band could've done a bit better with this instrumental, but it still is fairly decent. (4/5)

2. Cthulhu Dawn - A dark gothic tale of armageddon as Midian rises and a fan favorite. (5/5)

3. Saffron's Curse - A dark romance between a man and an insane woman who inevitably kills herself as her love dreams of vengeance in her death. (5/5)

4. Death Magick for Adepts - The song seems to be solely about ritualistic rape and murder, but is really a rite of vampyrism that is as dark as they come. Doug Bradley does great narration at the end of the song. (5/5)

5. Lord Abortion - This is a song about a man who is the incarnation of sex, lust and death and describes the sad truth of how some people in this world really live. The music itself is great, especially the opening. (5/5)

6. Amor E Morte - I never really got into this song, really. It wasn't the vampyric lyrics of cannibalism, but the song itself never really appealed to me, even though it is a fairly good song. (3.5/5)

7. Creatures That Kissed In Cold Mirrors - In my opinion, one Cradle's best instrumental ever next to the two surprisingly good ones on the new Thornography album. (5/5)

8. Her Ghost In The Fog - Normally I'm not one for rating above the typical 5/5, but this is the sole exception. This is my favorite song of all time, with a deep feeling of darkness, sorrow and love all in one song. Bradley's narration is flawless as it opens a sorrowful tale of love and revenge about a witch who is raped and killed by five priests and her love who in turn burns down the chruch of the priests who stole from him that which bore him happiness. (10/5)

9. Satanic Mantra - There are no instruments in this 50 second long chant that doesn't give a feeling of Satanism at all, unlike the song's title, but still sounds as dark as anything else on this album. (4.5/5)

10. Tearing the Veil From Grace - The true unveiling of Midian is a very well done song, with smooth transitions between slow, steady melodic choruses and blasting, heavy riffs. (5/5)

11. Tortured Soul Asylum - The true side of Midian finally revealed in this epic ending to my personal favorite album of all time. (5/5)

Final Word: If you don't like Dani's vocals, get over it or listen to something else if you feel the need. But with or without his vocals, this album is an excellent and essential addition to any metal/gothic collection. If you really liked this album, I would definitely recommend Cradle's three earlier albums: "The Principle of Evil Made Flesh", "Dusk...And Her Embrace" and "Cruelty and the Beast." Keep rockin' and stay filthy!

** 5 Out of 5 Stars **

Now. Midian is a great album but some parts just don't feel as good as past work. Now The Principle of evil made flesh and dusk and her embrace were heavier then Cruelty and the beast, BUT the guitar work, lyrics and keyboards were alot better. I always hear Midian was the album that made them mainstream. How? They didn't sell millions of albums, make 6 singles. Have guest appearences on mtv. Just doing what they have always done. I think even though the lyrics aren't up to par with cof, I feel "her ghost in the fog" was beautifully written of love lost. This was also Gian's last LP with the band, he was my favorite cof guitarist and it was sad to see him leave. At 1st I truly disliked this album. Would have given it three stars at most but as I listened to it more and more I began to really warm up to it. Sarah (backing female vocals) seems to be improving her already beautiful vocals which is quite obvious on "her ghost in the fog" and "tearing the veil from grace" If you love cof you will find some enjoyment out of this even if not as much as others. Enjoy.

The album is a near masterpiece when listened to as a whole. Its appeal relies heavily on atmosphere and tracks can sound shallow or over dramatic when listened to individually as much of this is lost. I would advise any new listeners who have only heard individual songs to borrow an album before buying this as the band certanily are an "aquired taste" The album blends melodic keyborad, erratic powered drumming and screeching vocals with ease. Melodic female singers, sound effects and insrumental tracks are used well with the only track that seems out of place being the filler "satanic mantra" (a vocal only track). The album as a whole however is of fair length with most songs reaching 7 minutes. Stand out racks include Her ghost in the fog, Death magick for adepts, Lord abortion and Amor e morte. Although cradle releases are best listened to straight throught. The band are hard to classify but are certanily not part of the black metal catagory they often seem to fall into.

This is a great (and I mean that) album. It's a lot diffrent from "The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh" or "Vempire" but still this is surprisingly good though I thought nothing could be better the those two. But their new style is very cool almost better then their old. This is a stunning album and a great thing to buy if you're new to melodic black metal but I have something to correct from the other review: "For those hwo have died" is not a classic by Black Sabbath and is not by Black Sabbath and it does not exist. On this album is a cover of the song "For those who died" by the brilliant late eighties thrashers: Sabbat where Dani sings with ex-Sabbat, ex-Skyclad singer Martin Walkieyer.

Before picking this up, i was a bit curious on how this was going to be, i had heard mixed reviews about it. some people said it sucked because it was not true black metal, and they are sellouts, others said that it was a gothic masterpiece. well, after listening to this cd, i can safely say that this cd is incredible, one of cradle's best (next to dusk and her embrace). From the incredible oppener known as "at the gates of midian", to the blistering "tortured soul asylum" this cd is incredible. i would reccomend this for beginning black metallers, or for fans of metal. now i will list the songs, and give my thoughts on them.



At the Gates of Midian- one of the best openers from cradle of filth i have ever heard- 5/5

Cthulu Dawn- a great, incredibly fast song, one of the best on the cd- 5/5

Saffron's Curse- probably my favorite song by them on this cd, it is also one of my favorite black metal songs ever- 6/5

Death Magik for Adepts- a very good song, not as good as some of the others, but i love the ending- 5/5

Lord Abortion- ingenious lyrics mixed into an insanely good song, a definant stand out- 5/5

Amor e Morte- like "death magik for adepts, its not as good as the others, but still is a very good song- 4/5

Creatures that Kissed in Cold Mirrors- another great instrumental, like "at the gates of Midian" its one of the best ive heard from cradle- 5/5

Her Ghost in the Fog- the first song that i heard from these guys, i love the lyrics, awesome ending too- 5/5

Satanic Mantra- pretty stupid if you ask me- 1/5

Tearing the Veil from Grace- This wouldve been my favorite if it werent for saffrons curse, incredibly fast with nothing less than ingenious lyrics- 6/5

Tortured Soul Asylum- A great ending song- 5/5








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