JUNE 21st 2024
CRADLE OF FILTH
Review/Photos By: Polina Kulikovskikh
Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/cradle-of-filth/

Cradle of Filth has been a pivotal force in the heavy metal culture for the past 30 years, continuing to remain active and unique. Their influence on the extreme metal genre is profound, inspiring many bands and maintaining a dedicated fan base. On June 21st, they delivered an outstanding performance at Parkteatret in Oslo.
The evening opened with a set by the local band Blodknoke, a black metal punk group that describes themselves as "an insane mix of thrash riffs, black metal drumming, and Nobel Prize-worthy puns." While an unusual choice for an opener—one might have expected a symphonic black metal band—the dark atmosphere was palpable, and Blodknoke undoubtedly gained new fans that night.

Cradle of Filth kicked off their show with "Existential Terror" from their 2021 album "Existence is Futile." The setlist was a well-crafted blend of old and new material, featuring iconic tracks such as "Dusk and Her Embrace," "From the Cradle to Enslave," "Her Ghost in the Fog," "Nymphetamine," and "The Principle of Evil Made Flesh" from their 1994 debut album.
For many, including myself, "Cruelty and the Beast" (1998) was the album that introduced Cradle of Filth. Dani Filth's distinctive high-pitched screams and the band's gothic vibe set them apart. Today, while these elements may no longer surprise, Cradle of Filth's pioneering influence on both music and image remains significant, and it is heartening to see them still going strong after all these years. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Dani Filth as the only constant member. Although his signature scream became somewhat lower over the years, it remains powerful and unique, as does the band's renowned guitar work.

Despite occasional sound issues, particularly affecting Zoe Marie Federoff's parts, the band delivered a high-energy and engaging performance, constantly interacting with the enthusiastic audience. It was one of those sold-out gigs that were truly worth attending, leaving us eagerly anticipating Cradle of Filth's next visit to Oslo.

Setlist:
The Fate of the World on Our Shoulders
Existential Terror
Saffron's Curse
She Is a Fire
The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
Crawling King Chaos
Nymphetamine (Fix)
Dusk and Her Embrace
Necromantic Fantasies
Born in a Burial Gown
Creatures That Kissed In Cold Mirrors

Encore:
A Bruise Upon The Silent Moon
The Promise of Fever
Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids
Her Ghost in the Fog
From the Cradle to Enslave
Blooding the Hounds of Hell