Cradle of Filth
Damnation And A Day

May 2003
Released: 2003, Sony Records
Rating: 0.3/5
Reviewer: Night of the Realm

Great news, everybody...Cradle of Filth has just released their newest T-shirt designs. This year’s shirts feature Jesus impaled by a seething goat phallus, surrounded by the members of the band circle-jerking upon the scene. The caption reads: “Do unto others...” In commemoration of this momentous occasion, CoF has released another album full of cacophony.



I will admit that Cradle of Filth’s previous albums have usually contained a track or two that really stood out as worthwile, but DAMNATION AND A DAY really has no standout tracks. Yup...17 tracks (12 real, 5 interlude), clocking in at nearly 77 minutes, and not one winner in the lot. As bad as CoF was before, they really sunk after drummer Nicholas Barker left the band before MIDIAN, leaving no good musician left among the lot of ‘em. Nothing else has changed here. Same forced shrieks, same tepid keyboard washes, same flaccid guitars, same lifeless songwriting, only this time, the band has gotten worse in all departments.



I found it absolutely hillarious when cries of “sellout” arose when Cradle of Filth announced that they were leaving Music For Nations to sign with Sony. If for nothing else, one must admire how successful Cradle of Filth has become by selling a product as trite and contrived as what the band has to offer not only musically, but also with their silly cartoon vampirishness. This only goes to prove that as long as there are teenagers who think they are depressed, or who are seeking an outlet for pre-pubescent rebellion against parents, teachers, ex-girl/boyfriends, the girl in class who won’t pay attention to you, or whatever may kindle their attention at the moment, there will be a market for Cradle of Filth’s silliness and faerie-tale “blasphemies.” In the legitimacy of true music and artistry, this band has no relevance. Cradle of Filth's latest album, and their first major lablel release has finally landed, impacting not with a bang, but a whimper.