Cradle Of Filth – Dusk… And Her Embrace (1996)

December 24, 2020

I mean… where do I begin? Dusk… is probably the benchmark for measuring all Cradle albums, and whilst yes, there are some issues with the production, these aren’t anywhere near as glaring as those which plagued the follow-up record, and if anything, these gremlins add to the atmospheric whole, rather than detract from the experience at all. If I was to make one gripe about the production, its that sometimes the drums are almost totally drowned out by the other elements at play.

The leap the band made between Principle… and Vempire was astounding, so hearing that maturity form further through the gorgeous meandering menaces on this record is an absolute pleasure. The guitars as much as weep out of the speakers, and the keyboard work is some of the best yet. In cases of extreme music and keyboards it can feel like the two sit apart, or awkwardly alongside each other, but here the keys only seem to enrapture the entire composition, as if some ethereal, ghostly blanket of goodness is wrapping itself around all of the songs. Oh, and “Funeral In Carpathia” is one of the best metal songs ever written. Just sayin’.

Does Dusk…. deserve a remaster? Perhaps not. But I would be interested to hear it.