Band:	Cradle Of Filth
Album:	Nymphetamine
Style:	Extreme gothic metal, Symphonic metal
Release date:	September 28, 2004
Guest review by:	Mindheist

Disc I
01. Satyriasis (Intro)
02. Gilded Cunt
03. Nemesis
04. Gabrielle
05. Absinthe With Faust
06. Nymphetamine (Overdose) [feat. Liv Kristine]
07. Painting Flowers White Never Suited My Palette
08. Medusa And Hemlock
09. Coffin Fodder
10. English Fire
11. Filthy Little Secret
12. Swansong For A Raven
13. Mother Of Abominations
14. Nymphetamine (Fix)

Disc II [special edition]
01. Devil Woman [Cliff Richard cover]
02. Soft White Throat
03. Bestial Lust (Bitch) [Bathory cover]
04. Prey
05. Nymphetamine (Fix) [feat. Sarah Jezebel Deva]
06. Mr Crowley [Ozzy Osbourne cover]
+ Nymphetamine (video)

From the opening track "Satyriasis," it's patently obvious that we've something different here, rather great. Yes, this was my first prediction. In 2004, Nymphetamine was born, released by a "Black metal" band called Cradle Of Filth. However, this album has caused more than a few ripples to the scene, why? I can't explain. I truly find these musicians weird, especially their mainman Dani Filth, always using gore, blood, explicit nudity, suicide and disgusting clips. This album has really caused the downfall of the Black Metal, and as a result it will have extremely wide appeal? and I think, that's the main cause of Immortal's temporary disappearance.

Now before going further, I just want to say that Black Metal + queerness = annoying music. Cradle plays some kind of symphonic Black/Death Metal with really cheap and cheesy keyboards, and guitar parts that have no relief, unappetizing and uninteresting. From Nymphetamine, they clearly have not solved their main problem yet, as both the standard (Black metal) and more unique elements are prevalent. In this album, neither work well. Ok, the standard black metal is almost acceptable. But they never make you feel that you are listening to something great, or something slightly above the average that would give you the urge to listen to it again. Their approach is centred on the jagged riffs and the horror-themed lyrics. The more distinctive parts on the album, such as the opening riff on "Painting Flowers White Never Suited My Palette," are portentous. The music is just atrocious and does not work as it should. I can't deny that I noticed some variation of the pace between mid to fast paced tempos and crushing rhythmic grooves whilst also ensuring the band's darker side is allowed to shine via some slower, predominate brooding. But it becomes evident quite early on that Cradle will not redeem themselves anywhere on Nymphetamine.

I also must comment on the lyrics that Dani Filth wrote. Each word, every aspect reeks of pure childish thought and amateurism! From the vapid looking "creature" in the booklet, to the band picture itself. These lyrics are more reminiscent of an idiot man who's trying to create a new sub-genre called "Vampire Metal." Black Metal is usually a very different genre, most bands sounding so similar to the next that I don't find too much value in their music; Cradle put different slants, adding to both their originality points and overall impression. So I think it's what Cradle owns, it's not possible that you'll come across an act such as this one, and while not fitting exactly in the meaning of what most folks believe a normal Black Metal band should be, the Filths produce music that will not only appeal to most Gothic Black metal fans but also numerous who don't typically dig the classic metal sound.

But honestly, I can say that these Filths have tried to be as well as possible on Nymphetamine, but in this period of widespread, available professional recording labels, there's merely no excuse for Cradle of Filth to sound so poor. I'm really sorry for Cradle's fans, but I have to confess, there are millions of bands out there that have tried this style and whose product fell agreeably upon the ears, and now you have near you Nymphetamine which is so hard to recommend to anyone. I hope that Thornography will be better, because now, Immortal as well as Abbath's I side project are on the road again.