album review : Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa (2010) – Cradle of Filth

album : Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa

artist : Cradle of Filth

genre : Extreme Gothic Metal

year : 2010

A sigh of relief can be breathed by all those of you who hoped that one day Cradle of Filth would be back. Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa is their tenth album that they produced after a much needed gap of two years. Their seventh album Nymphetamine was the last time I made an effort for Filth and the next one named Thornography had me acting deaf to anything they played. Ninth release was in 2008 named Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder. Although it was not as contaminated as the previous one it still lacked adequate amount of filth. But this time team Cradle of Filth has sit down and come up with another dark fairytale album and the band is definitely working on their weaknesses.

The revival has been released in two cds with a total of 15 tracks on them. Track one The Cult Of Venus Aversa begins with some keyboard work and female voice-over. It can be instantly sensed that this is going to be an orchestral ride. Trampling blast beats accompanied by Dani‘s windy screeches escort the fast keyboards. At over seven minutes the opening song is the longest. Successive track is One Foul Step from the Abyss and this one too is an acquaintance of fast riffing alongside some well crafted dark ambience, courtesy the keyboards.

Track three The Nun with the Astral Habit sticks to a similar routine but Dani is hands down the most unique vocalist in the genre. No matter how bad Filth went in the last five to six years, Dani made sure his vocals remain memorable. Tracks start sounding interwoven as Retreat of the Sacred Heart, Lilith Immaculate also feel like an extended version of the other tracks played till now but track five The Persecution Song‘s intro grabs you. Few minutes into it and the monotonous touch returns but it is not tiring to hear the album evolve.

Drumrolls and bang opens Deceiving Eyes, and things get groovy. The guitarists have taken it upon themselves to nail the tracks. Backing vocals have been cleverly fused to push up the emotional quotient. The band is seen pressing the accelerator on Harlot on a Pedestal, Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned), Beyond Eleventh Hour and Behind the Jagged Mountain.

Mistress from the Sucking Pit is an average song and has been dragged for seven mintues. Keyboard has again become vital in the band and the tracks that bend the regular rules of playing the instrument are The Persecution Song, The Spawn Of Love and War, Beast of Extermination and Truth & Agony.

Dani Filth has also acquired a new look for this album and maybe that was the only change needed by the band. Hats off to Cradle of Filth for pulling-off Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa. After the longest period of time I can finally raise my horns in agreement with their music and considering its coming from their old fan, Cradle of Filth has finally managed to strike the right deal. Extreme Gothic Metal is the new in thing.

Rating : 4/5