Damnation And A Day

Let’s be fair, you either get bands like Cradle Of Filth or you don’t. In their own world they are virtual superstars, probably the UK equivalent of Slipknot. And, like the masked ones, the Filth are virtually impenetrable to anyone not versed in the dark arts of their brand of metal.

To the outsider, there is much here that is just plain ludicrous – from the artwork and song titles (‘An Enemy Led The Tempest’, ‘Better To Reign In Hell’, ‘Doberman Pharoah’) to the demonic voice overs, satanic choirs and head wrecking, totally OTT hysterics – the overall effect is akin to Wagner with body piercings.

The devil worshipping stuff is all rubbish of course (the band hail from that notorious hot bed of Satanism East Anglia) and it will offend far more people than it will thrill but it’s hard not to be more than a little impressed by a group who can make such wilfully uncommercial music and still find themselves on the same major label as Shakira and Bruce Springsteen.