Cradle Of Filth, whether you like them or not, have been a force to be reckoned with in the extreme metal world for almost 30 years. Now, only a little over a year since their last visit touring for Cryptoriana, they returned to our shores to deliver a performance of one of their greatest and most revered albums in full – Cruelty And The Beast.
Opening not only the show but the Australian leg of the tour, Melbourne’s Hybrid Nightmares took to the stage with their brand of progressive black metal. This was their first time in Perth in two years since touring for their Almagest album, also treating us to a few bangers from latest release Obelisk. I last saw these guys slay a hometown crowd supporting, would you believe, Cradle Of Filth. Tonight however they opened to the uproarious cheer of… five, but by the end of their set they had the Perth crowd eating out of their hands (or screaming into and then drinking their pints, as it were).
The cradle of faithful, sufficiently warmed up and lubricated, now milled around in anticipation of what I’m sure none of thought we would ever see. As the room filled you could feel the electricity in the air from the mass of punters that braved this mild spring night for what was to be an epic occasion. The room filled, the eyes hungry, the lights go down and the onslaught begins…
The opening notes of Once Upon Atrocity came from the speakers and the crowd surged as one by one the Filth greeted us, Dani standing hooded centre stage. Launching into Thirteen Autumns And A Widow we hear the iconic scream that is definitive of Cradle Of Filth, even blind you would know where you are. This was not a night for the casual Cradle fan. This was a night for the diehards, almost a gift for the years of dedication and support. And they do not disappoint as they tear through this album with little to no banter other than the occasional “come on Perth!”, all current members playing to perfection and Lindsay Schoolcraft handling the role of COF alum Sarah Jezebel Deva seemingly effortlessly.
The crowd were already in fits as they went into Bathory Aria, the most epic moment of the album, only disappointing as it was a sign the album was coming to a close soon. But that was as close to disappointing as it got. Coming out for the encore Dani finally addressed the crowd “Hello Perth, we are Cradle Of Filth, if you don’t know that by now, get out!” as they went into Heartbreak And Seance from their latest musical excretion Cryptoriana. Closing out the night with the classic live staple and fan favourite Her Ghost In The Fog before taking their bows, this was a fitting end to a night of pure epicness.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Tammie Molotov – Molotov Enterprises & Photography
Cradle Of Filth
Hybrid Nightmares
TOUR DATES:
Tuesday 3 September – Capitol, Perth 18+
Wednesday 4 September – The Gov, Adelaide 18+
Friday 6 September – 170 Russell, Melbourne 18+
Saturday 7 September – The Valley Drive In, Brisbane 18+
Sunday 8 September – Metro Theatre, Sydney 18+
Tuesday 10 September – The Basement, Canberra 18+
Thursday 12 September – The Studio, Auckland 18+
Tickets From: http://destroyalllines.lnk.to/cradle
