‘The Hammer of the Witches’ was a welcome return to form for Cradle of Filth two ago.

After a series of adequate , but not exactly outstanding albums that left the majority of their fanbase somewhat nonplussed, Dani Filth and original guitar player Paul Allender had finally parted ways. The last one found a new musical outlet in White Empress while Dani set about to reinvigorate Cradle once more with a new lineup and a brand new deal with Nuclear Blast.A successful endeavor so it seemed as ‘Hammer’ was stylistically in many ways a return to the Cradle of Old , many calling it their best record since ‘Middian’. Cryptoriana is a logical follow up to that with essentially the same lineup.  Dani’s ear shattering howl still takes center stage in his own gothic fairy tales filled with Victorian dread and exquisite corpses. ‘Heartbreak and Séance’ is a classic Cradle song that they easily could have penned 20 years ago. They are at their best when they play really fast and Cryptoriana delivers speed kings in spades, often lavishly decorated with Exorcist type choral arrangements. Be sure to seek out the limited edition for a cover of the Annihilator classic ‘ Allison Hell’.

Tracklist

1. Exquisite Torments Await

2. Heartbreak And Seance

3. Achingly Beautiful

4. Wester Vespertine

5. The Seductiveness Of Decay

6. Vengeful Spirit

7. You Will Know The Lion By His Claw

8. Death And The Maiden

Label: Nuclear Blast

9/10

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