Review by Jeger on June 2, 2025.

Is Cradle Of Filth a Black Metal band? The answer is no, even considering their first two albums: The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh and Dusk And Her Embrace that are renowned by foolish enthusiasts who believe that these two records are seminal Second Wave BM recordings. They both just sound like Cradle Of Filth - an Extreme Gothic Metal band. Anyway, Cradle is just one of those bands that transcend the typicality of genre categorization. To label them as a Black Metal band simply does the band no justice! Aside from their first two albums, Cradle Of Filth are best known for 2004's Nymphetamine, 2006's Thornography and 2015's Hammer Of The Witches. Their discography is a vast one that consists of 16 LPs with their latest album, The Screaming Of The Valkyries atop the totem. It was released on March 21 via Napalm Records.

Every one of Cradle Of Filth's albums are feasts - shameless, gluttonous and debauched volumes of Extreme Metal that thematically span concepts pertaining to erotica, vampirism, literature/poetry and various forms of mysticism and philosophy. Not always everyone's cup of tea, especially the aforementioned Thornography - one of Extreme Metal's most polarizing releases. I happen to think that it's their best album… Geared towards the mainstream? You could say that. One thing is for certain, and that is the fact that Cradle has not ventured down the same road since. The Screaming Of The Valkyries is no exception, or is it? Tracks like "Demogoguery" and "Non Omnis Moriar" - compositionally redolent to the temped nature of "Thornography" and equally as catchy. Others like "The Trinity Of Shadows" and "White Hellebore" are of a swifter variety, as they unfold to thrashy riffs and captivate with memorable, anthemic choruses. Textbook Cradle Of Filth so far; everything we've come to appreciate over the years.

This is great stuff… Everything from the solos to the choruses just sweat a classic sort of perspiration. Like it heavy? "Ex Sanguine Draculae" pulsates with blackened tremolos, thunderous rhythms and dense-as-fuck riffs. And production quality is just perfect; mixed to a Master's standard and toned for clarity. Definitely one of this band's most haunting records. Much to appreciate, very little, if nothing at all to admonish. As always, a grande and epic affair. Cradle Of Filth fans have undoubtedly been creaming their black lace silkies over this one. Not knocking back brews, but debauching Merlot from a box to it like a Vampire lush. Literally every enchanting element of their style to imbibe here. Drink it up! Savor the night and rejoice. Cradle Of Filth, despite all of their mixed reviews from dickish critics, continue to please and offer up the very best Gothic Metal you could ask for. It's Thornography meets Hammer Of The Witches in this, one of Cradle Of Filth's greatest feats.

Despite their being tested by time and countless shifts in the industry, Cradle just never gets old! Behold the majesty of midnight castles forlorn and heed the allure of the Vampire's call. Indulge yourself in the richness of real Goth culture and tantalize your mind with timeless stories of the night. The time for reveling in nightly things is once again upon us! 16 albums… What an achievement, what an experience. With The Screaming Of The Valkyries, Cradle Of Filth simply remind us all of who they are - the cream of the Gothic Metal scene and the most talented as well. Enjoy.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Review by Jeger on July 23, 2024.

As astral energies conveyed through interstellar pathways snake their way through the cosmos, galaxies in symphony and dark matter mysteriously manipulating the fabric of space/time; projecting outward from self now into where it all began. After all, we are but stardust and products of universal excrement. Spirit in flux with the current now and off into the great mysterious unknown we go... I read an interview with Dagon where he gets into some pretty deep-seated stuff about the power of the mind and of thoughts as they influence impactful and even devastating moments, all the while devoid of matter. And the mysteries of universal matter and how they both relate to our beginnings/existence here on Earth. Yeah, the dude is a fucking genius… I feel like all this is what Inquisition are basically getting at with their 2010 "Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm” LP, released via Icarus Music. That and some olde timey Devil worship/Luciferian vengeance as per Inquisition tradition.

As Inquisition has evolved, things have become a lot more metaphysical: astral this, cosmos that and rays… A trio of radical black metal records in this album, 2013’s “Obscure Verses for the Multiverse” and 2016’s “Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Astral Zenith” that combined, display more imagination, dynamic range and intelligence than just about any other black metal band’s entire fucking catalogue. Records that shit on everything black metal had previously stood for and showed the entire international black metal community just how rich and complex BM can be once unshackled from the bounds of what’s become typical early 90’s emulation.

With “Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm”, Inquisition crossover parallels; delivering musically flamboyant black metal that lyrically delves into both the realms of Cosmology and Satanism. And it wouldn’t be a proper Inquisition album without movie clips featuring that creepy old Satanic bitch… Is Dagon a lyrical madman or is it all just beautifully packaged mumbo jumbo? Who fucking cares, considering old-school Inquisition steamrollers like “Command of the Dark Crown” as inertia-inducing, momentum-propulsive, ball-blistering riffs stream in violent current with those beautiful Incubus blast-beats that pound and snap with bone-splintering density - one of the all time greats in action.
Dagon is a man of wisdom as well as intelligence. Wisdom due to a tough upbringing in the less-than-civilized streets of Colombia and natural intelligence that bolsters an unrivaled black metal IQ. The resulting product is music that pushes all the limits as it remains proper and dignified: no childish overkill approach to composition, no overly epic, trying to destroy the universe vibes and no intentional attempts to reinvent the game; that just happens organically here. “Crepuscular Battle Hymn” - like the thunder of cosmic storms intertwining with ageless diabolical energies - the sheer force of momentum to propel you through riff-laden gauntlets and the gleam of melody to illuminate the chaos.

Welcome to class, kids, because this is one of a few perfect records in this band’s discography. These specimens of contemporary black metal mastery just make every, and I mean EVERY other black metal band sound like Jerry’s Kids. Inquisition have undergone no awkward phases, no shitty or even questionable albums. Pick one, you won’t regret it… Not even fair (as I gush) and just unlike any other project: on a pedestal, a mountain, a cosmic island of their own taming and manipulating the fires of creativity from this impossible vantage are Inquisition - overlords of the US and international scenes and champions of the Left Hand Path. Hails!

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Felix on February 27, 2024.

Every dog has its day and, good news, even if you are not a dog you have realistic chances to create something very special, at least once in a lifetime. "Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm" is the special work of Inquisition. They have perfected their style and the result is amazing. I fear that I often, maybe too often, use the metaphor of the impenetrable darkness that an album generates. Nevertheless, I have to make use of it once again in view of the seemingly endless dark cosmos of Inquisition. The combination of blackness, rawness, mysticism, control and science fiction puts the Colombian band in a class of its own. Inquisition are able to stretch their riffs like chewing gum, but mysteriously, they never lose their flavour. And one thing is for sure, they taste very well.

The entire album is characterised by an unending stream of torrid lava that the dense guitar sounds create. The flattening effect of songs like the ponderously flowing "Desolate Funeral Chant" is second to none. Its main line is already fascinating, but the riff variation that sets in at 2:52 is the cherry on the cake. It is uncomplicated, but concise and simply ingenious at the same time. This heavyweight number offers another form of blackness and frosty eternity than the tracks that keep a close eye on high velocity outbursts. For example, the opener or "Cosmic Invocation Rites" show the speed affinity of the duo. Yet irrespective of their velocity, all songs have in common that they are based on the pressed, guttural lead vocals and on brilliant riffs that emanate the feeling of staring into an enormous black hole. Similar to the albums of Bolt Thrower, the songs drag the listener constantly into an imaginary world and the generated atmosphere is not disturbed by surprising breaks or experimental interludes that make no sense. The only difference is that Bolt Thrower take the listener to the battlefields, while Inquisition present their cold and barren universe where the sun never shines.

"Ominous Doctrines..." possesses a lot of outstanding tunes, but the title track is probably the king of kings. Its anthemic opening leads seem to announce a victorious battle and the whole powerful and imperious track evokes a triumphant feeling. A short spherical, almost dreamful section leads to the last verse that makes the triumph of this colossal number complete. But as mentioned before, more or less each and every number leaves its mark. Inquisition do not run out of ideas. Even the closer, usually in danger of being listed under the category "filler", reaches a phenomenal quality level, inter alia with regard to its vibrating opening riff, but also because of the maturely executed tempo changes. On the whole one can say that the songs appear as stony monuments that rise up into a grey and cloudy sky.

In view of the endless vastness of outer space, the tracks do definitely not lack of depth. Inquisition have written accessible compositions without offering "easy listening" tracks. The meticulously designed album guarantees a long listening pleasure and shines with coherence. Some might say that the mix is coarse-grained, but a highly differentiating production is not necessary. The wall of sound rather underlines the massiveness of the ten pieces. Thus, almost everything is perfect. One just needs a general affinity for dense, mysterious and vigorous black metal to enjoy this special album.

Rating: 9.1 out of 10