Cradle of Filth - Nymphetamine

I was both excited and worried about Cradle of Filth's new CD, as their last, Damnation and a Day, was a very weak record, conceptually and very often musically. The band really seemed to have lost a lot when guitarist Gian Pyres left, and they seemed to be stagnating. However, after hearing Nymphetamine, my worries were for no reason, as this is a very strong record.

Their new guitarist is starting to shine, using interesting riffs (though still nothing as good as Gian's) and it seems he brought a much more hard sound to the band. That was the problem with the last record--it was too hard, and not epic enough for the material, and then as it went on the lyrics and material became kind of weak. Now, with no real concept going throughout the whole record, the band can really show off its strengths. There is now a second guitarist, allowing the parts to become more involved, but all in all there's a more metal edge to the record than there has been since their first record back in '95.

First off, there's not really much in the way of symphonic stuff inside the actual songs. Sometimes there's a piece here, a piece there, depending on the song, but it seems that the symphonic parts have been primarily used on the instrumental songs, like the one that opens this record up. What this does is decreases the gothicness of the band, and increases the heaviness. Depending on your taste, this is either a good thing or a bad thing. To my ears, it isn't either, instead a different thing, and it works well. This really is a very strong record, with Cradle of Filth actually advancing rather than stagnating in mediocrity as on the last record. Perhaps not having a concept this time around helped them, as their only good concept record was Cruelty and the Beast, but note that was only something like 10 songs, while Damnation was something like 15 or 16. This one is 13, which is long enough, but not too long.

I'm very happy with this release, as it shows a movement back to interesting and not so nu-metally riffs. Also, the songs are all 100% better than any of them were on Damnation. This is a very good record, and if you have liked Cradle's older material, I would highly suggest this one.

However, a note to the band--you look stupid. Please take off your bondage gear and put on some real clothes like you used to, please.