Review Summary: Care for a little necrophilia?
Cradle of Filth is one of the world's most controversial bands. They have been playing since the early 90s and have gained a large amount of fame for being a once black metal band. Now the band has evolved into more of a generic metal sound with strong gothic influences. This live CD is also a DVD called
Heavy Left Handed. This performance took place after the album
Midian was released.
The lineup at this time was:
Dani Filth - Vocals
Paul Allender - Guitar
Gian Pyres - Guitar
Robin Graves - Bass
Adrian Erlandsson - Drums
Martin Powell - Keyboards
Sarah Deva - Backing Vocals
What was good about the album:
-- The musical skill is above average. Adrian plays some very fast blast beats and cool groovy beats that can't help but impress most people. The riffing is occcasionally pretty technical, and same with the bass lines too. The keyboards don't really do anything that hard, but they do provide a very creepy atmosphere, which the band is trying to gain through their shows.
-- Dani Filth has some incredible vocal skills. Even if you don't like the way it sounds, you have to admit that it takes skill to have a high scream like his and then be able to go back down to a death growl. A perfect example of Dani's skill can be heard on the opening song "Lord Abortion".
-- Dani's side talk inbetween songs is hilarious. He tells plenty of really stupid jokes that make me laugh every time I hear it. You can also hear the audience laugh in the back too.
-- The band plays songs from all of their albums (up to that point). You'll hear songs from
The Principle of Evil Made Flesh,
Dusk and Her Embrace,
Vempire,
Cruelty and the Beast, and
Midian.
What was bad about the album:
-- Cradle of Filth is hated by many people because of Dani Filth's vocals. They certainly are an acquired taste.
-- Dani will occasionally miss a few words in their songs and maybe hit a wrong note or two. But since the band has so many intricate lyrics and difficult vocal parts, it's not that much of a setback.
-- The band decides to cut out the really cool bass solo in "The Principle of Evil Made Flesh". I don't get why they did that because that's the best part of the song. Why would you want to take it out?
Highlights:
Lord Abortion
The Forest Whispers My Name
Summer Dying Fast
Queen of Winter, Throned
If you're a fan of Cradle of Filth I would suggest getting this album. It has all of the band's best songs and they make them sound even better (for the most part) when they play them live. Also, hearing "Queen of Winter, Throned" live is simply awesome. It's a must have for anyone who is a fan of the band.
Final Rating: 4/5
