Cradle of Filth - Dusk and Her Embrace

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007. Album Description

a MUST have if you are a COF fan

One of the best COF album. Dany screams are spine chilling, music and lyrics are incredible. This album is for the hard core fans who love "classic Cradle". August 4, 2008

GENIUS,,,,,,pure genius!

to me, this is one of the best black metal albums ever made...right up there with albums such as Emperor's anthems to the welkin at dusk and darkthrones a blaze in the northern sky. Every song here is brutal and beautiful you will feel like you are in the album cover, in a dark cold hunting forest. Danis lyrics are his best here extremely poetic, some of the best lyrics i've ever read, all drumming and guitar work is spot on from the riffing to the ballads,the production might be argued by some but i think its the best out of all their albums, it really captures the mood and atmosphere of their songs. This is the finest moment in cradle of filth's career, i always come back to this album after owning it for years. a true timeless masterpiece. I dont know what else to say, just listen to this album if you're a black metal fan, or just a metal fan,...i wont go into detail explaining every song(you need to listen for yourself) or read some of my fellow reviewr's reviews here...........BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!..........5 STARS!!!!! March 6, 2008

Beauty Slept And Angels Wept For Her Immortal Soul...

Once I was introduced to Cradle via Nymphetamine and Damnation and a Day, I decided to listen to their old, original albums. The difference between these eras is great, though their new material still sounds great, if you're not a person who feels a band should have a single style and play only that style. Now, having listened to this album, it has become one of my all-time favorite albums, along with Cradle's Midian and Within Temptation's Mother Earth (if you haven't heard of them, it's because they have yet to release an album stateside).

What makes the album succeed is the incredible drumming and the guitars are amazing, especially in Funeral in Carpathia. Dani's vocals are probably at their best here, though many may find the screaming annoying, it realy takes talent to be able to do that. You probably can't do it yourself if you tried, especially at the constant rate he does. It also weaves an elaborate story of a mighty vampiric (vampyric, if you want to be technical about it) being, who in his revival following a war between Christians and Pagans, kills one who appears to go by the names "Elizabeth," "Beauty," and, in my view, "Day/Dawn," because her soul becomes Dusk beyond death. Then, Dusk and the being appear to fall in love, to the point where Dusk and the being's souls are trapped away, where the story thus ends. This is just the way I view it, as many concept albums can be interpreted in many various ways.

Breakdown, song by song:

1. Humana Inspired to Nightmare: Great instrumental, most of Cradle's are, as always. (4/5)

2. Heaven Torn Asunder: Starts slow but really kicks up and becomes a great song to start off the story, though some of the song's lyrics are not for the easily offende (i.e. "From this ransacked celestial temple, I held the prophet's severed head unto all nations")

3. Funeral in Carpathia: Great drumming, excellent vocals from both Dani and I believe Sara (I don't remember if she was with Cradle on this album) and perfect guitars really make this song everything it was meant to be and more. Personal favorite and one of Cradle's best. (5/5)

4. A Gothic Romance (Red Roses For The Devil's Wh*re): Another favorite of mine. As described in the spotlight review, it really is a great example of the combination of beauty and brutality that Cradle really tries to be. Another slow starter, it really picks up into one of my favorite songs to headbang to. (5/5)

5. Malice Through the Looking Glass: This song has a generally slow tone to it and, in a much darker and more screechy way, sounds like an older version of Nymphetamine Fix. It sounds actually very good, which leads me to feel Cradle should have a slower track like these on all future albums (Cruelty and the Beast had Bathory Aria, though that doesn't seem to be incredibly popular among fans, though I personally love the song) as they make them very well. (5/5)

6. Dusk and Her Embrace: The album's title track starts off wild and just takes of on a wild ride. A fan favorite, and a staple at concerts. (5/5)

7. The Graveyard By Moonlight: Another great instrumental. It sounds very entrancing and very eerie at the same time. (4.5/5)

8. Beauty Slept in Sodom: A bit softer sounding with very deep and somewhat confusing lyrics. (4/5)

9. Haunted Shores: A perfect closer for an excellent album. The intro is great and stays heavy and intense right until the end, with what seems to be the Vampire's last words. (5/5)

Final Word: A great album from a great artist. Newcomers to Cradle should start with this, as well as probably Nymphetamine (to understand the change in sound the band has undergone) and Midian, which is popular among many Cradle fans. If you're even more serious, I recommend the bands albums prior to this one, The Principle of Evil Made Flesh and the V Empire EP.

***** 5 Stars Out Of 5 ***** January 27, 2007

A masterpiece!

I don't know why I haven't written a review for this album before!
Dusk and her embrace is, for me, the masterpiece in COF history!
All the songs are awesome!
My fav song is Funeral in Carpathia... my god! I could listen to it again and again!! The lyrics are great, Nicholas was at his best at the drums... too bad he left for DimmuBorgir!!
Love every single songs!!! October 26, 2006

again not a kid but love black metal

this has to be the best of all the cradl of filth albums i being a huge fan love this album they are my favorite band and enjoy their music not because they are satanist (of course i am a satanist and 15)but because they consist of beautiful lyrics and have an incredible talent i recommend this album to anyone INVERT THE CROSS AND BURN THE CHRIST HAIL SATAN! September 29, 2006

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