Cryptoriana: The Seductiveness Of Decay

The band that played on "Hammer of the Witches" is back and these extremely talented musicians have made an amazing album. The theme is Victorian Horror and it is a blend of blast beats, solid guitar and bass work, Dani's growls, sublime keyboards, engaging orchestration and a choir for backing vocals. Only a couple of songs have "clean" female vocals, and I quite like the addition of a choir. It is a nice change.The album artwork is the done by Arturo Betztusb, who also did the artwork for Hammer. It captures the mood of the album perfectly. I am looking forward to buying a couple of T-Shirts based on the artwork when I see them in concert, because the artwork is beautiful.If this was the first Cradle of Filth album I had heard, I definitely would love it. This is the 12th album of theirs I have heard and I love it. Not exactly the same as their other stuff, which I think is good. I like where they are going in this album.The stand out tracks for me where: "Vengeful Spirit", "Heartbreak and Seance", "Achingly Beautiful" and "Death and the Maiden".My only quibble with the album is one of the bonus tracks, Alison Hell. Normally when Cradle of Filth covers a song they put their own unique twist on it and other than Dani's growls, this was almost like listening to the original Annihilator song. It isn't bad, especially if you haven't heard the original because the song shreds, but I would have like to have heard it Cradled a little more.

Just got this in today. I have to say, this album is a VERY strong showing of CoF's master ability to combine a brooding, atmospheric, story driven album with very tight musicianship. All songs on the album are great and none are in a rush to be over as most songs are 6+ minutes long (with the exceptions of the #1 - Exquisite Torments Await & #10 Alison Hell). I don 't know what it is about this album, but something in it reminds me of late 90s CoF which in my opinion is a welcome return. The digipack artwork is really nice as well, perhaps better than the previous past releases.I know this isn't a great review, if anything it's a bit short, but let me say this; you will NOT regret buying this album. With that said, BUY IT NOW!

I am a newcomer to Cradle of Filth - I only started listening this summer with "Manticore", which I thought was pretty solid (though I wondered where the solos were), so I checked out "Damnation and a Day" which I also liked although the vocals were a bit screechy (and it seems like the older the albums, the screechier and more unintelligible the vocals get). But nothing else I've heard by C.O.F. comes close to the masterpiece they have unleashed here. For one thing, the twin guitar attack is just devastating (Paul Allender must be ---ing himself over some of these solos and harmony lines). And these guys have upped their riff and songwriting game since the last album. Plus, I really prefer Dani Filth as an older vocalist... his shriek has mellowed nicely, so it's possible to sometimes hear his intelligent lyrics! My favorite track by far is the sweeping and majestic ode to sunset, "Wester Vespertine" but the whole album is amazing.

Crytoriana is the second cd by this lineup, and the band has never sounded better! Picking up where Hammer of the Witches left off, CoF seem to be re energized by the new members. Dani's vocals are amazing as always, and the band is so tight musically that you'd think they had been together for decades. This is possibly the best metal cd of 2017, the only competition being Iced Earth's amazing Incorruptible. Highly reccomended.

this album is the sickest cradle allbum since 2000's midian definitely a 9 out of 10 i heard a few songs only and i can tell this album has that get you excited about getting it feeling like 15 years ago when you would get a cradle album sounds like he uses a bit more of the shrieks voice that was missing on later albums that was the main attraction of like albums like dusk and her embrace and cruelty and the beast im getting the cd tommorow and am a good bit excited i didnt even get the last 2 cradle albums manticore and other other horrors and hammer i kinda lost interest a lil i guess

If you liked the last album, Hammer of the Witches, you will love this new one. This album is even better. Amazing songwriting and musicianship make this one of their best albums yet. Yes, the same band lineup as the last album, amazing and impressive. The guitar playing is the best I have ever heard on any COF album. The album is never boring, it's great from start to finish. You have to check out the bonus track: The Night at Cataflaque Manor; it is easily one of the best songs they have ever done. Great vocals by Dani and some great female vocals as well. If you are a COF fan or a new fan, get this album!

Cradle of Filth is a mixed bag as far as I'm concerned. Midian (2000) was their last really great album, but Cryptoriana has enough instrumentation and vocal diversity to keep this metal fan listening. Don't expect anything new or groundbreaking on this album, but do expect Cradle of Filth at its best.

A wonderful work of art, I was able to get Cradle of Filth to sign it at the meet and greet on tour! Such a great album!! Highly recommended