Cradle of Filth - Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa

November 5, 2010

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

If Cradle of Filth’s last album was about wickedness and testosterone, then Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa takes the band down the feminine path with a concept album about Lilith.  But instead of being rooted in history, this tale puts Lilith into the present and continues the return to heavier, less goth territory that started with Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder.

A first in their career, Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa does not start with an intro.  Instead the album creeps forward with some nice gothic keyboards and narration before lunging into a blackened, seven-minute symphonic burner. “The Cult of Venus Aversa” is full of blasts, wicked melodies, sinister riffing, choirs and heaps of keyboards. And it is the return to prominent keyboards that gives the opener a lot of depth.  It also allows the Filthies’ axemen Pall Allender and the returning James McIlroy to really lay down a wall of riffs, some that almost approach grindcore in nature, while the keyboards now control the melodies. “One Foul Step from the Abyss” continues the approach.  New keyboardist Ashley Ellyllon (ex-Abigail Williams) is worth her money as she has done more than just sex up band photos. With her handling a lot of the melodies which used to be handled solely by Allender on previous discs, Cradle of Filth has kicked up the heaviness here.

“Nun with the Astral Habit” may cause a few jaws to go agape as Cradle of Filth hasn’t been this hellbent on speed in several years.  Vocalist Dani Filth also has changed up his performance.  While he still retains his trademark screech, he is now spitting out a more hoarse-singing style that fits the disc’s hurried pace. “Retreat of the Sacred Heart” unveils some nice blackened riffs but even underneath the chaos the band to still inject moments of that gothic stuff they used to go nuts with. This track is also the first to feature the twisted Iron Maiden-styled melodies they have been impressively churning out for years.

“The Persecution Song” slows things down.  Keyboards and pianos compete with melodic riffing in a rather atmospheric track.  The track does have an ADD fit in the middle but for the most part the track scores well with some nice complexities.  “Deceiving Eyes” starts out with some atypical riffing before ripping into another blackened dirge.  The keyboards move more towards the back to allow some excellent melodies and riffs to shine.  “Lilith Immaculate” again allows the keyboards to handle the melodies and atmosphere while the guitars and drums blaze along.  Both “The Spawn of Love and War” and “Harlot on a Pedestal” hit warp speed but still have some seriously spectacular riffs while warped keys on the aforementioned track border on creepy. “Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)” is much more accessible while “Beyond the Eleventh Hour” fuses a goth metal approach with dueling vocals from Dani and Lucy Atkins (as Lilth) and still enough ferocity to borderline on bombastic black metal.  By the time the album ends, Cradle of Filth prove they just released an album that’s all thriller and no filler.  Not one interlude, intro or outro  but rather 11 top shelf songs. Damn! 

Will Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa stop the endless amount of grief this band gets (and has rightfully gotten for the soggy Thornography) for countless reasons? Probably not as somehow they have become the band that the internet-era loves to gripe about. But Filth fans that have been loyal for nearly 20 years(!) may burst.  The band hasn’t sounded this good, this fast and this tight since Godspeed.  Except Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa is better!  Grand keyboards (Ellyllon impact is huge and almost show-stealing), the fastest drumming since Cruelty and some of the heaviest riffs of their career, Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa is a vicious, classy beast and one of their best.  So let those that aren’t impressed with Dani’s new hairstyle and makeup miss out on some awesomeness. While Dimmu Borgir fans may want to pay attention after their recent boggle, it is the Filth fans that will rejoice. The band is officially on another winning streak. Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa slays.  

Release Date: November 9th, 2010
Label: Peaceville Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Cult of Venus Aversa
2.  One Foul Step from the Abyss
3.  The Nun with the Astral Habit
4.  Retreat of the Sacred Heart
5.  The Persecution Song
6.  Deceiving Eyes
7.  Lilith Immaculate
8.  The Spawn of Love and War
9.  Harlot on a Pedastal
10.  Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)
11.  Beyond the Eleventh Hour

Total playing time:  62:26

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments: