Cradle of Filth - Make Halloween into their 'Monstrous Sabbat' !!!

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Another specially Filthy evening in London

Cradle of Filth **** It's almost Halloween so it's time for the annual London show, this years event is called 'The Monstrous Sabbat', this years event featuring Alcest, Red Method, Naraka and aftershow party by Voodoo Rocks Feat. Alice Bizzare. The venue for the show is one of London's best, the Indigo2 at the o2. The sound of and lights are always great in this venue, so I knew from the start that this was a perfect venue for Cradle of Filth to play. 

They come on to the epic film worth intro to their new album 'Existence in Futile', before bursting into 'Existential Terror' of course also from the bands new album. The stage looks so great with creepy tree branches, and vines all over it. Especially on the stands for the drums, keyboards and a big turret mount with a very special microphone stand for lead singer Dani Filth. Two giant metallic metal skeletons are also at either side of the stage left and right, and are just so meaning and cool. Cradle of Filth always have known how to set up a stage, and this helps to create the atmosphere of their whole performance.

The new songs sound great, even when they are next to old classics like 'Nocturnal Supremacy' off one of the bands best albums 'Dusk and her Embrace' and 'Summer dying Fast' off a record I just simply love 'The Principle of evil made Flesh'. Both of these albums mean a lot to me, because I listened to them loads when they first came out. Through the bands performance, they have timed special effects that add to the whole stage show... even though I think at times they are over done a little. Also guitarist Marek 'Ashok' Šmerda has really cool 'Hellraiser' inspired make-up, I don't know if he always has this or if it is something special for Halloween. Also his expressions are great throughout the bands whole performance, and he really shines on guitar in places.

I do feel Zoe Marie Federoff (Cradle of Filth / Catalyst Crime) who is doing the operatic parts for the Filth at the moment, does struggle at times. She is not always in time with the band, which sometimes affects some of the songs in a bad way. She also does keyboard parts for Cradle of Filth that are really good, so I don't know if she is having an off night. My favourite Cradle of Filth keyboard player is Ashley Ellyllon (Ex-Cradle of Filth / Ex-Abigail Williams / Orbs), I really thought she bought something new to the band. Which I have seen missing since her departure, and she really did look the part. Another critisism in a set where there isn't too many problems, is that singer Dani Filth doesn't move around the stage that much.

He stays in the middle for most of the performance, so if you are more to the sides of the venue... you don't get to see him up close and personal that much and that's a real shame. And the fact, he doesn't do that many silly comments during the performance is disappointing. I used to think, "God Dani, stop saying stupid things!!!"... but now he doesn't do this so much. I really want him too, because actually I think I really enjoyed him doing this (without knowing). Other great moments is the beautiful 'Nymphetamine (Fix)', which is kind of ruined by another collapse in the crowd. It seems to be a regular thing now, that a couple people collapse in the crowd during a performance (Very strange, this never used to happen). But you kind of forget about that, when they hit into the brilliant 'Scorched Earth Erotica' which is as good as it ever has been before.

London is lucky because it get's a four song, rather than three song encore... which they have been doing at some shows. Which features an nasty little sing-a-long to 'Gilded Cunt', and an epic version of 'Her ghost in the Fog'. Cradle of Filth have never been a PC band, it's in the name of the band Filth... so we get pure filth and we love it. I think everyone need a bit of filth in their life, politicians show this everyday. I have to say this would not have been my choice of Cradle of Filth songs, the fact their is no 'From the cradle to Enslave', 'Bablon A.D. (So glad for the Madness)', 'Death of Love' and later single 'How many tears to nurture a Rose?' is a real shame.

But then Cradle where always going to leave some of us disappointed, because they have so many great songs to pick from. From a mass back catelogue of albums, that any artist would be happy with. I really enjoyed Cradle of Filth's set, and it has got me back into listening to them again. It was a great night out and I am looking forward to next years Halloween show, which I am going to try my hardest to attend.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Cradle of Filth - Setlist
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The Fate of the World on our Shoulders (Intro)
Existential Terror
Nocturnal Supremacy
Summer dying Fast
I am the Thorn
Crawling king Chaos
Nymphetamine (Fix)
A Gothic Romance (Red roses for the Devil's Whore)
Scorched Earth Erotica
Us, Dark, Invincible
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Venus in Fear (Intro)
Desire in Violent Overture
Necromantic Fantasies
Gilded Cunt
Her ghost in the Fog

Check Out! the Video for 'Crawling King Chaos' Below...