Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/01/2005
Cradle of Filth's 2004 effort
Nymphetamine gets the deluxe treatment with this two-disc set. Joining the original studio album is a spread of revealing new artwork, the video for
"Nymphetamine," and six additional songs. The band becomes "
Cradle of Cliff" for an entertaining version of the
Cliff Richard classic
"Devil Woman." Dani Filth deadpans the lyrics with backing from guest
King Diamond, and
Cradle's propulsive beats and synthesizer hooks somehow suggest
Dio's
"Rainbow in the Dark." There are also eager takes on
Bathory's
"Bestial Lust" and
Ozzy Osbourne's
"Mr. Crowley." The covers are joined by the all-new
"Prey" and
"Soft White Throat" -- both ambitious, metallic and slightly overdramatic in a way that's unique to
Cradle of Filth -- as well as
"Nymphetamine -- Jezebel Deva Fix," an alternate version of the title track featuring
Cradle backing vocalist
Sarah Jezebel Deva. As for
Nymphetamine itself, it's evil with value-added entertainment. The band moves away from the novellas of 2003's
Damnation and a Day for a tighter focus on songcraft. A yowling, growling
Dani Filth chews up the band's often very melodic guitar lines, and wind-whipping, galloping
speed metal slams into swirling
gothic atmosphere at every turn. Album highlights include
"Absinthe With Faust," the rapid-fire
"Medusa and Hemlock," and
"Filthy Little Secret." Black robes, gargoyles, epic synthesizers, and ripping distortion -- it's all part of the "slick perverted wraiths" game. The group's dark embrace always comes with just a little bit of showmanship.
~Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
;)
Listen
