Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa

We've all been somewhat nervous about Cradle for a while now. Nymphetamine and Thornography were enjoyable but really subpar for Cradle. Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder was a nice save, and is actually one of my favorite albums, but many found it wanting. Then came this album, Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa. It seems everyone's giving it five stars (or one, which probably come from the people who don't like Cradle anyway; one either likes Cradle or loathes them, with no middle ground.) I agree with the sentiment: this album is very good. It brings back a certain gothic mood and... dark prettiness in the midst of the heaviness that I think Godspeed didn't quite have in the same way. I think any Cradle fan should at least like it.But I wouldn't give it five stars. The best of Cradle's concept albums, like Cruelty and the Beast or Midian or (I would argue) Godspeed, immersed the listener far more in the story. This, I couldn't even make out the story for many listens, and now that I'm reasonably sure what's going on, it's still got holes in it that niggle at me. The best of the atmospheric works made you feel you were there, amid the monsters, beholding the dark fairytales as they unfolded around you. This is... about Lilith. And she's sexy. And a demon. And the music is cool. It's fun, it's interesting, it's engaging -- but I feel engaged with, not transported.And the older stuff was twistedly erotic and darkly naughty. The lyrics pushed the envelope and then shredded it with feminine claws stained with blood and more intimate substances. This harks back to those days in a way Godspeed didn't, but it's less inspired on that score. We're told that sexy things are going on, and yes, some details are explicit, but that wry, spare-you-nothing wit is far less in evidence than it used to be.I sound like a downer, and I don't mean to. This is a darned good album, and I recommend it highly. It deserves four stars.I only talk so much about what I found lacking because -- sorry, Dani & crew -- it does not deserve five.We know you can do it. We admire your endless willingness to experiment. Now get in there and blow us all the hell away.

I gave this 5 stars because i love it's simplicity.There i said it.I look at many of these lengthy reviews and see so many nit-picky breakdowns all over the place.Is it really a big deal to break down every little detail about this album ??I popped it in the stereo and was pleasantly surprised.Yes I know Dani's vocals are not the same as they used to be...who cares ? does one really expect them to be ? Who's vocals sound the same after this long anyways? I agree that the last few recent releases left a lot to be desired,but this is just pure fun to my ears.I love the new female voice of Ashley Ellyllon.Yeah it's classic Cradle Female styling but that's what works.I applaud you professional musicians who break down all the little "issues" with song pitch and technique and all that...but for the common person (me) i could care less.I turn on my MP3 player and enjoy the ear candy.To say other bands have stayed true to thier roots,and haven't changed through the years is ludicrous...really ?? as to those who say this is pure crap...go back to your old school Cradle records..you can't compare those poorly produced ones to the ones of today.I didn't like Godspeed all that much,or the previous ones to that...i do think this is a step in the right direction.We all have our own opinnion's,that's what makes it all good..stop being a nerdy fan-boy and give Dani and co.a break.Just enjoy the product or enjoy the quiet cool of your Mom's basement...ya hear that ? dinner's ready junior !put down the joystick !

I generally don't post reviews, but I feel that this CD is WELL deserving of a 5* rating from any Cradle of Filth fan. From start to finish, CoF keeps their style fresh and delivers you one of their most heavy albums with a perfect mix of melodic and haunting variations throughout. The first review by Mr. Hudson perfectly explained the CD in its entirety. If you've enjoyed ANY previous CoF works, then you will absolutely love this CD - guaranteed. After hearing this CD I am even more anxious to see them live when they come around in early 2011.Anyways, when you're finished with reading all these 5 star reviews, support the band and purchase this album ASAP -- you won't regret it =).

I love this album. It's perfect Cradle of Filth. It's combo of heavy thrash with classical style melodies, and it's dark, gothic themes are what makes Cradle of Filth one of my favorite metal bands

I've been a long time Filth fan. After the largely disappointing albums Damnation, Nymphetamine, and Thornography, I was elated to get my hands on Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder. I've been listening to Godspeed for the past two years,holding my breath and just hoping Cradle would do it again. And now we have Darkly Darkly Venus Aversa, an an album on par with, dare I say, Midian. It's epic. It's filthy. I'm loving every minute of it...keep them coming, Dani!

The last couple of years has seen the metal community come full circle. It saw Megadeth, Slayer and Kreator put up their best stuff second only to their brutal metal albums in the late 80's. This COF album is another feather in the metal cap after 'Engame', 'World painted blood' and 'Hordes of Chaos'. Bravo Dani for the effort, especially with all the pressure to topple the previous record 'Godspeed...' which was amazing!

This album is awesome. I've been a huge fan for awhile now and I absolutely love it. It's kinda disappointing that it doesn't have any instrumentals in it, but that doesn't take away the power that this CD delivers. It's one of the best CD's (in my own opinion) that they have made. It's awesome from the lyrics, guitars, drums, bass, and keyboards, there all great. Fans of Cradle will not be disappointed.

Great album.

2008's 'Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder' was a welcome return to form for Cradle Of Filth, following a series of mediocre to disappointing releases. Emerging two years later, 'Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa' is another collection of quality, Maiden tinged symphonic black metal standards.A concept album based around the demoness Lilith, 'Darkly...' is loaded with killer riffs, hauntingly atmospheric keyboards and, of course, Dani Filth's unmistakable vocals. Standout tracks include 'One Foul Step From The Abyss', 'The Nun With The Astral habit' and the brilliant 'Persecution Song', but the album is remarkably solid as a complete piece of work with the production being superb throughout.While not quite on a par with early classics 'Dusk And Her Embrace' and 'Cruelty And The Beast', 'Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa' is FAR superior to the majority of COF's mid-period output and is highly recommended to fans of the band and of well crafted gothic metal in general.

It's easy to criticize when a band becomes successful, or even mega-successful, in the way that the Filth have but in this one particular case, I don't think commercial wellbeing and selling out are contermineous as they produce stunning opus after stunning opus.Darlky, darlky returns to the same old themes admittedly but the musicianship continues to spellbind, Dani's vocal range seems undiminished by his expanding waistline (remember the eldritch wraithlike figure he used to cut LOL)but Gothic Iperatic Metals answer to meatloaf is writing the same damnable lyrics with the same panache.Standouts, apart from the above are the drumming which seems to be exactly the right level in the mix and underpins everything tughtly in the way that the rhythm dept should in any metal band.So nothing earthshatteringly novel to report but that's only by their own impeccable standards, just imagine if this was a new release from an unheard-of band, everbody would be freaking out but, because they're not new it seems .... as if they've been around forever.This is just as good as their other albums, certainly MIdian et al. If it doesn't sound quite as freash as, lets say Dusk and her Embrace, imagine how difficult it must be to sound fresh when ... you're not, but the quality is still there.I found it exciting, really. Buy it!

I loved this album it is really strong and heavy with another dark story from Dani, what is more important is the edition of this album. The fan box set is brilliant. You will get so many exclusive items in it for such a cheap price! 25 pounds for: Album's earbook containing amazing art work and photos along with the story and lyrics of each song, and the most important two Cds and one DVD. Also you will get exclusive T-shirt, album's cover lithograph, band members separated photos and a certificate from the band. This amazing stuff is definitely worth more than 25 pounds!Check out some of the images I attached of this amazing fan box set.

This is fantastic value for money you would expect to pay £50ish for a box set of this quality by any other band but yet this incredible package is a mere £24.99p , exclusive shirt 64 page hardback book an awesome 3d card of the album cover and quality photos in a nice box simply stunning

Ok, but it's just more of the Comercial Cradle. It is more like background music than the Filth we all love from "Dusk and her Embrace" and "Cruelty and the Beast."