CRADLE OF FILTH – “The screaming of the valkyries” (2025)

There is nothing I admire more than bands that have a rich back catalogue, but continue to create kick-ass music even after thrity years! 2015’s “Hammer of the witches” played a pivotal role as it marked the starting line for consecutive badass CRADLE OF FILTH releases. I find that their albums since then are among their best, some less (“Cryptoriana”) and some more (“Hammer…” or “Existence is futile”). “The screaming of the valkyries” is Dani’s statement that his band is more persistent than count Dracula himself!

In here you will discover a record where every song has a purpose. Rushed/ hit tracks are avoided as you will not find a duration below 5 minutes. This tracklist of nine, has songs that build themselves creating a rich dark gothic playground to discover. And you will enjoy exploring it, as it can boast diversity as much as it wants. There is a plethora of different tempos, from melodic keyboard driven segments to unholy full Metal attacks! All this is done in a successful way as personally I did not find a single filler even after enough time.

On the performance department there is no room for questioning. On the contrary I have to give creadit to Dani for keeping his voice on great levels. What he sings is surely very demanding and witnessing that no compromises are done on the vocal aspect is examplary. Let’s also welcome Zoe Marie on the role of keyboards and female vocals. Her role is more prominent than that of her predecessors, especially in ‘Non omnis moriar’ and ‘White hellebore’, which I view a positive thing considering how much I love Symphonic Metal in general. The lyrics once again are also a nice detail as they have a very poetic tone that you enjoy even just reading to them.

If you are not a fan of the Filths this album will not change your mind, since lack of novelty is perhaps one of the few critisisms that are valid in this case. But even then, it is one of the instances where I do not seek innovation and I will explain. You know how the album will sound like before you get it in your hands, but CRADLE OF FILTH has set the bar so high that makes you want them to do what they do best. If they give us albums like that every three to four years then I need nothing more from them.

In the recent Metal landscape CRADLE OF FILTH are a force that guarantee great results in their studio work. Their dark and twisted atmospheres are the best escape for people that find beauty in darkness. They belong in the category of bands that gave us classic albums in the first decade of their lifespan, but continue to stay relevant with a good music today! “The screaming of the valkyries” is not just another addition, but a contender for one of the best Filth records.

90/100

Pavlos Pavlakis

100: Godsent

90s: Excellent

80s: Very good

70s: Good

60s: Enjoyable

50s: Uninspired

40s: Bad

0s -30s: Unlistenable