(Roadrunner)

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Cradle of Filth are no doubt a very unique band. After doing one album for Sony -- 2003's fabulous Damnation and a Day, Cradle of Filth moved to Roadrunner Records and it looks like it will pay off well.

Few black metal purists will argue that Cradle of Filth are bad for the genre. I disagree! Yet I will say go out and buy some Venom, Dissection, Bathory, Mayhem, Emperor, Darkthrone and Immortal. All those groups are legends and have released some of the best black metal ever along with Cradle of Filth.

Some people don't like the keyboards or the fact that they are arguably the most successful black metal band around. One thing that can't be argued is these guys are excellent musicians.

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Nymphetamine (roughly translated as druggish, beast-like addiction to beautiful, classical women) is a more stripped-down album. Gone is the huge orchestra but the Cradle of Filth sound is still very solid.

Judas Priest-like riffs, about average bass work, haunting keyboards, thunderous drumming, Sarah's backing vocals and Dani's shrieking and you still have the traditional Cradle of Filth sound that is a cross of black metal and a Gothic opera.

Tracks like "Gilded Cunt," "Nemesis," "Gabrielle" and "Absinthe With Faust" intertwines with heavy, dark, and poetic lyrics with thrashing metal.

Title track "Nymphetamine" can only be described as a “murder balled.” The interaction between Dani Filth and guest vocalist, ex-Theater of Tragedy and current Leaves Eyes singer Liv Kristine, is spine chilling. Just a note on this song, Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil was originally set to do the “nymphette” *as described in the credits* but due to a scheduling conflict couldn't make it. Hopefully one day they can get the opportunity to work together again.

There is some intro music on the album with some narration, "Satyriasis" and "Painting Flowers White Never Suited My Palette."

The heaviest song on the album is "Mother of Abominations." Other heavy hitters include "Medusa and Hemlock," "Coffin Fodder," "English Fire" and "Filthy Little Secret." There is also a remix/radio edit version of "Nymphetamine" that was first heard on the Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse soundtrack. "Swansong for a Raven" features narration by actor Doug Bradley of the Hellraiser series.

For many Cradle of Filth fans this album is a must have, for others -- even the ones who don't like this band might even consider checking them out for the stripped-down sound. It actually took a few spins for me to get into it but very much worth the purchase. Still the question lingers, is Jesus a cunt?

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