A Return to Form for Cradle of Filth: Midian

SCORE: 95/100

After 1998's trouble-laden 'Cruelty and the Beast', Cradle of Filth went through upkeep to keep their sound fresh and rejuvinated for the new millennium. 


This album is the first project the band worked on with their then-new drummer Adrian Erlandsson, who they worked with until 2006. Actor Doug Bradley was also enlisted for the "cast" of this album, working as the narrator to the loosely-laid concept found throughout 'Midian'.  


It follows a very similar structure to what the band is known for, with a symphonic opening piece with a gradual buildup and gorgeous instrumentation (with this actually being one of their most buildup-heavy openings with an organ and some of their best string arrangements yet) that lead into seamless transitions and strikingly fast pieces that use their instruments especially to bring the album up to new highs for the band. It's seemingly even heavier than some of their other albums, and Erlandsson's work with the band helped to bring them up to an even better level than ever before. The sound of this album is even quicker and harder than some of their other albums - and it manages to feel like one of the most comprehensive looks at Cradle of Filth as a band. 


'Midian' is what I would consider to be Cradle's most vocally "different" project, this album sounds nothing like their other projects in terms of vocal performances, and the instrumentals are what make this project as good as it is. The gorgeously symphonic sound of the project while still being heavy and fast/loud makes for a sound that only COF could pull off to this degree, and the project comes together gorgeously well (although it does hold itself a little too heavy with the usual long runtime that is expected for the band).


This album follows a loosely tied concept and theme to various tales and literature, not uncommon for the band - especially on their earlier material like this as a prime example. This album is less of a concept album than some of their other works, but it still follows a loose theme that keeps it together very well. It isn't quite as enjoyable from an overall perspective as some of their other albums are, but it makes up for this in sheer backbone.


Cradle managed to get their footing back exceptionally well when considering how much of a wreck their previous album was in their eyes, and the result is an album that is even more striking than their previous projects. It's heavier than their other work while still having a sense of refinement and polish throughout, and the album takes a turn in their sound while still feeling like THE look into their sound and how they make themselves known as a band - the different instruments and how they are layered is truly striking, and outside of some vocal performances seeming like a little too much here and there, Filth manages to put on a great show.


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