After a three-decade career one might assume the band were slowing down or running out of ideas. But this is not the case for the Suffolk based six-piece. Having cemented a new line-up in 2015, Cradle of Filth found a new lease of a life and mined from a fountain of fresh ideas. Rejuvenated and energised, their last two albums have gone from strength to strength and they continue their onslaught with mesmerising Existence Is Futile.
Nihilistic and brutal, the record was recorded during the lockdown of 2020 at Grindstone Studios in Suffolk with Scott Atkins (Devilment, Benediction, Vader). Atkins has done a wonderful job on production, successfully crafting together the massive sound of a band like Cradle and creating a full, fluid piece which takes the listener on a journey through darkness and chaos. While previous Cradle albums have more often than not gone for a storytelling, fantastical approach, crafting twisted worlds and evocative imagery, Existence Is Futile has a more realistic, closer to home approach. Examining the world around us in an exploration of modern existentialism, the band even branch out into socio-political territory with the likes of ‘Suffer Our Dominion’, a track about humanity destroying the environment.
Although all of the songs were written pre-pandemic, their damning outlook on the world hits home now more than ever. Even the title of the opening dramatic string-section-led instrumental reminds us of our responsibility – ‘The Fate Of The World On Our Shoulders’. Building into soaring choral vocals and a climactic finish before the start of second track ‘Existential Terror’ the album is immediately suitably over-the-top and beautifully arranged. There’s plenty on here for old school fans of the band to enjoy and take comfort in – the vast expanses and layers of bombastic sound, Dani Filth’s signature gruelling growl, the ferocious and evil guitar licks, and snippets of unsettling spoken word sections.
There’s also some newer, different elements and moments that push the boundaries of their traditional sound and may even act as a gateway introduction to draw in newer listeners. A stirring, almost heart-wrenching track with a beautiful guitar solo, ‘Discourse Between A Man And His Soul’ takes things down a notch. Slower – yet still heavy – it’s hauntingly powerful, with a cleverly constructed ear-pleasing melody line underpinning it. Showcasing ultimate mastery of their craft while still clearly having a lot of fun, this record moves from track to track getting better and better. The ambitious ‘Crawling King Chaos’ is mesmerising in its insanity, an all-killer-no-filler opus that leaves you reeling. It’s perfectly placed before the beautiful and unsettling instrumental ‘Here Comes A Candle – (Infernal Lullaby)’, a mainly piano led track that allows a breather and reflection period.
Unlike some black metal albums which can sometimes drag or feel self-indulgent or unnecessary in places, Existence Is Futile is just the right length, with the structure and placement of the tracks really lending itself to the listening process. ‘Ashen Mortality’ is a further example – a dramatic instrumental sounding like something right out of a horror movie score placed towards the final quarter of the record. These tracks break up the chaos while still lending themselves to the overarching theme and sound of the record.
‘How Many Tears To Nurture A Rose’ plays around with dynamics and even almost has something of a singalong chorus. There’s a well thought out structure disguised as madness, leading us towards the triumphant closer of what is a truly immense album. Final track ‘Us, Dark, Invincible’ acts almost as a call to arms, a rallying cry for the freaks and the outcasts, a uniting of oddballs under the mighty banner of metal. Optimistic even in its darkness, we are left with a sense of hope, pride and exhilaration. As the world burns around us, we can warm ourselves in its fire and rock out to Cradle Of Filth, who still remain the undisputed kings of their genre.