Review Summary: Cradle of Filth reaffirm their mastery of gothic black metal delivering one of their most complete and compelling albums since the nineties.
Does anyone remember when Cradle of Filth lost their mojo? It began with
Damnation and a Day and lasted for roughly twelve years until
Hammer of the Witches finally re-established Cradle of Filth as the premiere gothic black metal band. Four albums into their resurgence, and that dark period feels like a distant memory – and
The Screaming of the Valkyries only reinforces that feeling.
The Screaming of the Valkyries builds on the strengths of the last three albums, exceeding expectations by pushing the band's best elements even further.
Opening predictably with the most ferocious track on the album, “To Live Deliciously” serves as a masterclass in Cradle of Filth’s signature blend of goth-tinged blackened extreme metal. It begins with haunting choral arrangements before erupting into a whirlwind of high-tempo beats, razor-sharp guitar riffs, blistering leads, and Dani’s trademark rhythmic shrieks. Typically, the opening track is where Cradle of Filth’s most aggressive elements peak, only to be replaced by symphonic and gothic theatrics on the following songs. But not this time. Every track on the album is powered by thrashy, rhythmic riffs, enhanced by blackened, Iron Maiden-inspired leads and eerie, macabre keyboard theatrics.
Much of Cradle of Filth’s lull stemmed from their struggle to merge the signature sound with a more modern, guitar-driven edge – a challenge they eventually mastered on
Hammer of the Witches. Yet even by the high standard set by their last three releases, they've truly stepped it up. This evolution comes not only from heavier, more memorable riffs, but also from an enhanced use of dynamics, varied musical influences, and a wealth of compelling elements in every track. Whether it’s the sing-along choruses of “White Hellbore,” the thrashy black & roll of “The Trinity of Shadows,” or the impressive leads and harmonies dominating the epic track “Ex Sanguine Draculae,” the band has elevated every aspect of their sound.
Cradle of Filth’s 14th studio album,
The Screaming of the Valkyries, is a relentless, goth-tinged black metal masterpiece that reaffirms their place as one of the most theatrical and entertaining bands in extreme metal. Blending
Dusk-era gothic drama and
Cruelty-level soundtrack moments with modern thrashy riffs and Maiden-inspired melodies, this album stands out as one of their most complete and well-crafted efforts since the nineties. If there was ever any concern that
The Screaming of the Valkyries couldn’t possibly maintain the high standard Cradle of Filth (re)established nearly ten years ago, this album puts those doubts to rest with one of their strongest performances yet.
