Cradle Of Filth - Evermore Darkly

Cradle Of Filth's new recording has a great intro called 'Transmissions from Hell'. It reminds me of old school recordings like Motley Crue's Shout At The Devil or Iron Maiden's Number Of The Beast. It has creepy effects with a narrator talking about digging a hole in Iraq, recording 'sounds from Hell' and then saying "Here is that recording," then the metal starts. It's fun, and I like when artists take time and put the effort in to do those things. It's a great start to a new cd got me right in the mood.

These guys are as heavy as they come, tight and fast, and talented musicians. The singer isn't screaming all the time in one tone or growl. He mixes it up and uses his voice in more than just a constant scream-growl-howl, which is nice considering so many metal singers (growlers) these days sound the same from song one to song ten. Once I listen to two songs I get bored with the rest of a cd because it sounds the same. Not with Cradle though. They also have a talented female voice that makes an appearance in the song Lilith Immaculate, both singing and with some auto tune or harmonize effects while she speaks. It gives it a horror film feel. It's fun to listen to.

They have two songs called 'Forgive Me Father'. One is 'I have sinned' and the other is 'I'm in a trance." 'Forgive Me Father I'm in a Trance' has electronic drums and sort of a techno feel to them and it's a fast song throughout, going about 144bpm. I don't know how most metalheads will like it but I did. To me it's fun when artists mix it up some. At least it isn't a ballad. It's electronic but also headbangin.

Overall I like Evermore Darkly. It definitely has a dark feel and they mix it up and give us a full album. They use some keyboards, electric drums, female vocals, a great intro to the cd, and they're bashers. Something missing for me is lead guitar solos. That's the only drawback for me. I love metal guitar and I love great solos. Cradle doesn't deliver there. Otherwise it's a good cd that's worth checking out.

\m/
Terry