Event:	Cradle Of Filth
Written by:
Published:	02.12.2003

The title of this review should start with Killswitch Engage, but unfortunately events that happened earlier in the day prevented me from arriving at the Roseland when expected. I showed up about a quarter to nine and upon entering I could here Killswitch Engage playing their last song of the evening, 'My Last Serenade'. I guess the first band had already played and KSE was second. What I saw of the band, which wasn't much, appeased me and I can say that they had a great stage sound, as good as on their CD. I was really looking forward to hearing these guys play, hopefully they'll come again. I would have liked to have snagged a few pics but my camera wasn't loaded.

Although the night was off to a bad start on my behalf I optimistically found a seat in the bar/balcony and quickly loaded my camera. Shadows Fall, the third band of the evening, was getting their set and sound checks together. Now about nine o'clock or so, this awesome band from Massachusetts, Shadows Fall comes roaring out on stage. I've heard some of their songs but have never seen them live. I was looking forward to seeing this Swedish influenced Death Metal band. Shadows Fall was everything that I was hoping they'd be. The singer, Brian Fair, has these crazy long dreads and engaging body language which together thrashing and jumping around on stage definitely makes him the main catalyst for Shadows Fall. At some point towards the end of their performance he got up close and personal by jumping into the crowd. I admire a band that goes all the way for their fans. These guys definitely know how to get their audience riled up. Guitarists, Matthew Bachand and Jonathan Donais played consistent and tight with impressive leads especially through songs like 'Thoughts Without Words' from their 2002 release The Art Of Balance. They also played 'Crushing Belial' off OF One Blood, 2000. This song wrenched out impressive rhythm and energizing riffs from bassist, Paul Romanko and new drummer, Jason Bittner. Overall Shadows Fall gave a great performance, if you're into Melodic Death Metal I would recommend checking these guys out. Their set was around an hour long all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. After playing their last song of the evening, one of my favorites which I admit I have no idea what it was called, Shadows Fall gave props to Killswitch Engage and handed the stage over to Cradle Of Filth.




I knew there would be a good amount of time still before Cradle came on so I went up stairs to grab a drink and to watch as the staff was setting up the immense, yet adequate props and lights that are needed to create part of the ghoulish image for Cradle of Filth. The headlining band COF is now signed on Sony's label, so I was curious to see what godly gear would be brought to the stage. I had a chance to see them on July 9, 2001 and was amazed by their performance and extravagant stage presence. What more could they do, I thought? I found it interesting that almost all of their gear was hidden by this grate type framing they used for the main set up, which was speakers on the left, drummer on a riser with stairs leading to him and speakers on the right. Only the drummer and keyboarder sported their gear [Tama and Triton]. I always like to check out what type of equipment the artists are using. I did notice that Paul and Dave sported handmade PRS guitars with bats inlaid in the fretboard instead of the usual PRS birds, a subtle but important creepy l detail. They added eight moving spotlights, four headed flashers, strobes, up lights under the stairs and fog pouring down to set the mood just right. The setup was quite elaborate and unfortunately you couldn't even see the huge banner that hangs in the back with the bands logo, but then again who really cares. After making the final preparations it was almost ten thirty.





The crowd was definitely anxious for what was to come, we were all expecting something horrific. With the lights out, the crowd began to chant Cradle and the intro music begins, musicians step out and the crowd cheers. All of the members besides Dani have entered and are facing their backs to the crowd in the dark, then Dani the demon master himself enters in red light with his infamous ear piercing screech. Cradle of Filth rocks their first song as thousands of fans smash into the front of the stage. "We are the idle pieces of dark crap referred to as Cradle of Filth", Dani Filth growls. I love it. Of course the whole band was leathered out, strapped and chapped excluding Jezebel and Adrian. Lights are flashing and smoke is bellowing, everyone's totally into it. One guy got so obsessed with screaming the lyrics during 'Scorched Earth Erotica' that I thought if he leaned over the balcony any further he'd surely fall. Jezebel, with flaming red hair, looked just as sexy evil as the rest of the guys and gave a very impressive performance backing Dani's evil growls with her beautiful angelic voice. The show goes on with Cradle of Filth playing 'Dusk and Her Embrace', 'Nocturnal Supremacy', and 'Her Ghost In The Fog'. Preparing for the next blasphmos song Dani Filth quenches his throat with a red beverage that looks like blood [probably red water] before requesting the crowd to raise up devil horns and cheer for the next song 'Funeral In Carpathia'. I felt that Dave, bass player and Paul, guitarist enjoyed interacting with the crowd. I got a lot of attention from both of them including Dani when taking pictures up front. All three really interact with the crowd and they payed homage to the fans in the front who were sacrificing precious air just to have that up close and personal experience. Dani is always dedicating songs to the fans or some girl in the audience. Keyboarder, Martin kept us all dazzled. The only time that I even saw Adrian, drummer, was after the show, when he came out to throw his sticks to the crowd.




Cradle of course played stuff from their very impressive new album Damnation and A Day one of them was the last track 'End Of Days'. The sound that COF produces from this new album is so massive and intense and some of it's cache but definitely erotically mischievous and sometimes melodic. When 'Babalon AD' played the very talented dancing girls came on stage looking like spider things, twirling around and hanging from each other, taunting Dani and the other band members. Dani jumps up the steps leading to Adrian and sings in almost complete darkness except for the up lights under the stairs making him look like a "demon fress from the inferno". The band finished up with 'Cruelty and the Beast' and I'm not sure if I'm correct but I believe that it was 'Humana Inspired to Nightmare' the first song from Dusk and Her Embrace that they dedicated as their last song, but the crowd new better and even though there was a black five minute interlude we all were waiting for the encore. Strobes went flashing when Cradle of Filth came out again Dani seized the moment to bless the crowd with his water than saying something on the lines of "We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts no matter how dark and twisted they are in supporting us bunch of assholes". The show ended with 'Ebony Dressed For Sunset' and the crowd still energetic took it to the end. COF finished at ten till midnight after giving once again a masterful performance.