CoC : Cradle of Filth - Dusk and Her Embrace : Review

Cradle of Filth - _Dusk and Her Embrace_
(Music For Nations, 1996)
by: Brian Meloon (8 out of 10)

I guess there isn't really too much to say about this other than: if you liked _Vempire..._ (see review in CoC #11), you'll like this, and if you didn't, this probably won't change your mind. The similarities to _Vempire..._ are numerous; the production is nearly identical, the vocal styles (male and female spoken parts, growls, and screams) are similar, and the gothic influence is just as heavy. There are a few differences though, the most important being the more prominent guitar work. There are a few leads (which remind me of Dark Tranquillity or Iron Maiden), and even a solo. Unfortunately, the guitars have never been CoF's strong point, and some of the parts sound a little sloppy. The keyboard tones are similar, but there are a few new ones, and a (much appreciated by this reviewer) reappearance of the pipe organ tone from _TPoEMF_. The non-digipack version contains 7 real songs, and two short instrumentals, and the digipack version contains "Nocturnal Supremacy '96", a remake of the (weakest) song from _Vempire..._. The artwork is less overtly sexual (no naked chicks this time), but similar in flavor to the previous artwork. (BTW, check out Nicholas in the band pictures, he alternately looks like Uncle Fester and Rob Halford) Although there aren't any obvious flaws, overall I find this a little bit of a letdown. It just doesn't seem very striking. It's good, but nothing really stands out to me, the songs just seem to pass by without really making a statement. Perhaps a few more listens will reveal some intricacies that I'm missing, but for now, I'm a little disappointed.

(article published 2/1/1997)

CHATS
3/16/2003	A Bromley	Cradle of Filth: Disturbing the Mainstream
11/20/2000	A Bromley	Cradle of Filth: Ressurection of the Filth
7/8/1998	A Bromley	Cradle of Filth: From Cradle to Grave...
4/9/1997	D Schinzel	Cradle of Filth: Capturing the Cradle of Creativity

ALBUMS
1/15/2011	J Carbon	6	Cradle of Filth - Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa
12/13/2008	P Williams	7	Cradle of Filth - Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder
10/31/2004	A Lineker	7.5	Cradle of Filth - Nymphetamine
6/27/2003	A Lineker	6.5	Cradle of Filth - Damnation and a Day
8/12/2001	M Noll	7.5	Cradle of Filth - Bitter Suites to Succubi
11/20/2000	A McKay	8.5	Cradle of Filth - Midian
3/5/2000	M Noll	8	Cradle of Filth - From the Cradle to Enslave
6/7/1998	P Azevedo	8	Cradle of Filth - Cruelty and the Beast
6/9/1996	B Meloon	8	Cradle of Filth - Vempire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein

GIGS
5/18/2003	J Smit	Cradle of Filth / Akercocke	Damnation and a Monday Night
8/12/1999	A Wasylyk	Cradle of Filth / Usurper / Endless / Averse Sefira	Averse Conditions Inhibit the Endless Usurp of Filth
1/16/1999	P Azevedo	Cradle of Filth / Napalm Death / Borknagar	The Smell of Napalm in the Dark
10/1/1998	M Noll	Einherjer / Old Man's Child / Gorgoroth / Cradle of Filth	Doom Descends Upon Deutschland
8/12/1997	P Azevedo	Scorpions / Megadeth / Moonspell / Cradle of Filth / Anger	Porto's Own Metalfest?
7/6/1997	P Azevedo	Cradle of Filth / In Velvet Clouds / Web	Filth