Post by AndyLaRocque on Dec 30, 2006 13:02:07 GMT -5
The Academy in Birmingham, UK Monday 18th December 2006
In recent years, Cradle of Filth have had an ongoing love/hate relationship with the media and metal fans alike. I guess this is symptomatic of their huge success but they've always managed to sustain a large global fanbase covering a wide array of ages. Judging by the youthful appearance of a large number of audience members tonight (who probably hadn't even discovered metal when 'The Principle of Evil Made Flesh' was first released back in 1994, let alone heard of Cradle), the band are still able to attract a lot of new fans. Further, considering the large number of lineup changes COF have been susceptible to over the years, it is commendable they manage to perpetuate the essence of the band which is largely thanks to, and mediated through, Dani Filth's darkly prevalent aesthetic vision.
As the intro music from latest release, 'Thornography', is played through the PA - the wonderfully titled 'Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan' - the band appear on stage to deafening cheers and screams from a clearly excited crowd. They open with the first 2 songs from 'Thornography', 'Dirge Inferno' and 'Tonight In Flames'. The latter is a varied composition and marks a genuine stylistic progression for COF with some elementary, though efficacious, palm-muted thrash riffing, a catchy chorus underpinned by captivating twin guitar harmonies, and even a rare guitar solo. Next up is 'Dusk and Her Embrace', title track from their 1996 release, then 'Her Ghost In the Fog' from 2000's 'Midian'. This juxtaposition of old/new songs is indicative of the strong back catalogue of material Cradle are able to draw from. 'Ebony Dressed For Sunset' which segues, as it does on 'Vempire', into 'The Forest Whispers My Name', sounds as good tonight as it ever has. There's the predictable airing of 'Nymphetamine' which fits comfortably into the set with its more mid-paced, melodic leanings and new song 'I Am The Thorn' also impresses. It is also pleasing to hear 'Rise Of The Pentagram', the instrumental track from 'Thornography' which begins with provocatively scripted verse narrated by Doug Bradley and it's a composition which epitomises Cradle's new found diversity with their latest release. The set ends with their inventive cover of Heaven 17's 'Temptation' which, for me, works better live than it does recorded and the epic sounding 'Under Huntress Moon' which is also from 'Thornography'. After 'Temptation', Dani Filth exercises his characteristic 'wit' by quipping at the crowd - "You can cheer. We might be from Ipswich, but we haven't killed any prossies". There's also the obligatory encore including both 'Gilded C*nt' and set favourite 'From the Cradle To Enslave'.
Tonight, Cradle of Filth deliver an excellent performance and look very comfortable as a band on stage. Having outlived, and progressed beyond, the ephemera of their black metal roots, they have less to prove these days and are axiomatically both at ease with, and enjoying, their huge popularity. While their stage set is visually impressive, gone are the angle grinders and other gimmicks that have characterised many of their shows in recent years. And to be honest Cradle's music, both new and old, is strong enough to carry the set without any added gimmickry. Their performance is also flawless - Dani Filth personifies the archetypal metal frontman with his tirelessly energetic stage presence, strong vocal performance and entertaining banter while bassist Dave Pybus and guitarists Paul Allender and Charles Hedger deliver equally dynamic, strong performances. New drummer, Martin Škaroupka, who was brought in as a replacement for recently departed Adrian Erlandsson, is a much better musician and more animated performer than the latter. His high-powered drumming lends the songs more impact in the live context than with Erlandsson as sticksman - let's hope he's here to stay! My only minor criticism of Cradle's entire performance is a slightly weak snare sound which, although at the right level in the mix, is lacking in bite. Overall though, and in short, Cradle of Filth are stunning tonight.
www.metal-discovery.com/Live/cof_birminghamacademy_dec_2006.htm
In recent years, Cradle of Filth have had an ongoing love/hate relationship with the media and metal fans alike. I guess this is symptomatic of their huge success but they've always managed to sustain a large global fanbase covering a wide array of ages. Judging by the youthful appearance of a large number of audience members tonight (who probably hadn't even discovered metal when 'The Principle of Evil Made Flesh' was first released back in 1994, let alone heard of Cradle), the band are still able to attract a lot of new fans. Further, considering the large number of lineup changes COF have been susceptible to over the years, it is commendable they manage to perpetuate the essence of the band which is largely thanks to, and mediated through, Dani Filth's darkly prevalent aesthetic vision.
As the intro music from latest release, 'Thornography', is played through the PA - the wonderfully titled 'Under Pregnant Skies She Comes Alive Like Miss Leviathan' - the band appear on stage to deafening cheers and screams from a clearly excited crowd. They open with the first 2 songs from 'Thornography', 'Dirge Inferno' and 'Tonight In Flames'. The latter is a varied composition and marks a genuine stylistic progression for COF with some elementary, though efficacious, palm-muted thrash riffing, a catchy chorus underpinned by captivating twin guitar harmonies, and even a rare guitar solo. Next up is 'Dusk and Her Embrace', title track from their 1996 release, then 'Her Ghost In the Fog' from 2000's 'Midian'. This juxtaposition of old/new songs is indicative of the strong back catalogue of material Cradle are able to draw from. 'Ebony Dressed For Sunset' which segues, as it does on 'Vempire', into 'The Forest Whispers My Name', sounds as good tonight as it ever has. There's the predictable airing of 'Nymphetamine' which fits comfortably into the set with its more mid-paced, melodic leanings and new song 'I Am The Thorn' also impresses. It is also pleasing to hear 'Rise Of The Pentagram', the instrumental track from 'Thornography' which begins with provocatively scripted verse narrated by Doug Bradley and it's a composition which epitomises Cradle's new found diversity with their latest release. The set ends with their inventive cover of Heaven 17's 'Temptation' which, for me, works better live than it does recorded and the epic sounding 'Under Huntress Moon' which is also from 'Thornography'. After 'Temptation', Dani Filth exercises his characteristic 'wit' by quipping at the crowd - "You can cheer. We might be from Ipswich, but we haven't killed any prossies". There's also the obligatory encore including both 'Gilded C*nt' and set favourite 'From the Cradle To Enslave'.
Tonight, Cradle of Filth deliver an excellent performance and look very comfortable as a band on stage. Having outlived, and progressed beyond, the ephemera of their black metal roots, they have less to prove these days and are axiomatically both at ease with, and enjoying, their huge popularity. While their stage set is visually impressive, gone are the angle grinders and other gimmicks that have characterised many of their shows in recent years. And to be honest Cradle's music, both new and old, is strong enough to carry the set without any added gimmickry. Their performance is also flawless - Dani Filth personifies the archetypal metal frontman with his tirelessly energetic stage presence, strong vocal performance and entertaining banter while bassist Dave Pybus and guitarists Paul Allender and Charles Hedger deliver equally dynamic, strong performances. New drummer, Martin Škaroupka, who was brought in as a replacement for recently departed Adrian Erlandsson, is a much better musician and more animated performer than the latter. His high-powered drumming lends the songs more impact in the live context than with Erlandsson as sticksman - let's hope he's here to stay! My only minor criticism of Cradle's entire performance is a slightly weak snare sound which, although at the right level in the mix, is lacking in bite. Overall though, and in short, Cradle of Filth are stunning tonight.
www.metal-discovery.com/Live/cof_birminghamacademy_dec_2006.htm
