Cradle of Filth is releasing a new album called The Screaming of Valkyries, and we got the chance to listen to it. I must say, this album truly immerses us in the Cradle of Filth universe, which is very diverse and obscure in a way that only they can bring to us, keeping their identity and maturity when making music.
The first song is “To Live Deliciously,” which was the second single released. It has a dark intro with a catchy chorus and riffs that deliver the full power of their authenticity. This is the kind of song that will stay in your head all day after listening to it. Next, we have “Demagoguery,” which is very different from the first song but pushes us deeper into their universe. It feels like a dark musical with a melodic vibe in the middle, and the guitar solo is mesmerising—definitely a multi-layered song
Then, we continue our journey into Cradle’s universe with the next track, which sounds a little faster than the previous ones. It’s impressive how powerful the riffs are and they manage to keep their own dark elements. The following song, “Non Omnis Moriar,” is melodic with a pinch of symphonic metal style in the middle. Zoe Federoff’s beautiful vocals blend perfectly with Dani Filth’s voice. After that, we move to “White Hellebore,” their third single, which takes us to a new place within the album. We hear more of Zoe’s voice in the chorus, and it’s very captivating. It’s melodic with a gothic charm —a beautiful blend of elements that make this song radiant, which is probably why it was chosen as a single.
Next is “You are my Nautilus” where we notice Dani Filth’s iconic voice, it is groovy and full of dark melodies. Then comes “Malignant Perfection,” their first single, another catchy track with a macabre atmosphere blended with a symphonic touch. We follow that with “Ex Sanguine Draculae,” which starts with growling over a black metal background, delivering a great heavy flavor. It’s like a rollercoaster journey with a mix of dark styles.
Finally, we reach the last song of the album, which definitely has a grand finale vibe. It’s an obscure track full of distinct components with a powerful ending.
The entire album is packed with unique elements, blending darkness, obscurity, melody, and heaviness all at once. It’s a complete representation of Cradle of Filth’s sound and style, creating a great universe to immerse yourself in while listening.
”The Screaming of Valkyries” comes flying in with a screaming 9 out of 10
Reviewer – Bruna Feltrin @brunafeltrin_photo