The 10 Best Cradle of Filth Songs, so Far

Formed in the notorious witch-hunting grounds of Suffolk England, Cradle of Filth emerged in the year 1991. The band's first full album release came in 1994 and has rocked the metal scene ever since. Their lead singer and English literature major, Dani Filth, creates lyrics that seem to have sprung off the pages of a morbid fairytale with an eerie voice that switches from deep growls to gut-wrenching screams in an instant while the band sets the atmosphere with heavy guitar riffs and maddening piano harmonies. Though often accused of being Satanists, the group has done things mostly for a certain shock value, such as their "Jesus is a C***" t-shirts which have been breaking moral codes since their creation.

Over the years, Cradle of Filth has experienced quite a few line-up changes as their sound has evolved through different sub-metal genres. However, they always bring everything to the table in every song they do. They're constantly on the band lists of music festivals throughout Europe and have garnered fame around the world. Cradle of Filth has definitely put their mark in music history with the following ten songs.

10. "Bathory Aria" This eleven minute masterpiece from the album "Cruelty and the Beast" starts things off. "Cruelty" is a concept album based on the notorious life of Countess Elizabeth Bathory. There are three unique parts to the song which make you feel like you're listening to three different songs. The first part, "Benighted Like Usher," opens the song with a choir and a haunting piano which immediately sets the tone. As the song picks up speed it evolves into the anger-infused "A Murder of Ravens in Fugue" followed by a devious ending with "Eyes That Witnessed Madness." The song lingers in your mind long after the last note ends.

9. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" A tribute to the band that heavily influenced them, this song, also from the "Cruelty" album, is an eerie cover of Iron Maiden. Beginning with a ghostly bell tone, Dani's pained growl quickly whisks you into the story of a criminal's last moments before he's hung in the gallows. He captures the mood of Iron Maiden's lyrics perfectly. Jarring guitar solos rip into your soul and add to the setting as Dani's voice launches into unearthly wails.

8. "The Byronic Man" From their "Thornography" album, this musical number features the vocals of Ville Valo from the band HIM, much to some upset as a portion of Cradle of Filth's fans felt that Ville was a poor choice. The song, based on Lord Byron, uses less of a symphonic style and instead feels more mainstream with thrashing guitars and heavy drums. Dani and Ville's voices are vastly contrasted from each other, but somehow Ville's smooth phrasing blends in perfectly with Dani's snarls. It's a heavy handed and risky mix that only endears an open-minded fan to the band further.

7. "Stay" Shakespeare's Sister provided another cover opportunity for Cradle of Filth on their "Thornography" extended album. A refreshing return to the original orchestrated Cradle, the song lures you in with part-time member Sarah Jezebel Deva's rich vocals overlapping a lullaby-like melody. Naturally, Dani's devious voice eventually cuts in to turn the song inside out and make it feel exactly like a Cradle of Filth song should. What started out as an emotionally tender Shakespeare Sister power ballad ends in a Filth-esque song that hints at a love turned into an obsession. This is definitely a song to be reckoned with.

6. "Her Ghost in the Fog" Off the EP "Midian", this passionate tune features Sarah's powerhouse vocals in a story of a woman raped and murdered because of her beauty by members of the church. Dani's description of the woman through his lyrics creates a stunning image that's only enriched by the single's video concept. This song really shows that regardless of Cradle's gruff persona, Dani does the romance thing. In their own way, the members really do have hearts.

5. "Born in a Burial Gown" "Bitter Suites to Succubi" provided this morbidly fascinating track whose video includes a deviously gothic circus for vampires, which is presumably what the song is about. If that doesn't scream "listen to me!" then something's definitely wrong with you. This dark dream spotlights sharp lyrics and gritty musical deliverance, while rapidly drilling itself into your memory and sticking in your brain all day.

4. "A Gothic Romance (Red Roses for the Devil's Whore)" Featured on "Dusk and Her Embrace," this lengthy symphonic delight satisfies both my inner romantic and gothic sides. I love how dramatic the use of an orchestra, complete with bells, makes this song. It provides a creepy backdrop to a mysterious series of lyrics sung in typical Dani fashion. The beginning is a slow, creepy almost funeral march that twists into a wicked mind-crushing performance. Those looking for a more alternative love song, look no further.

3. "Temptation" Again with the covers. This one, from "Thornography," is originally by Heaven 17. This heavily altered version features guest vocals by Dirty Harry and the video parodies the Garden of Eden. What started as a random experiment became a brilliant idea. I have to admit, the original song's vocals really don't sound that great, especially on the girl's part. Despite Dani's demonic voice, I feel Cradle's spin totally takes over and is a much better replacement for even the most anti-metal music fan.

2. "The Foetus of a New Day Kicking" Yet another kick-butt single from the "Thornography" album that tears you apart with the guitar melody's first notes. It's a memorable, thrilling slice of thrashing goodness complete with a video featuring army tanks. Army tanks! My favourite part of this song has to be the fact that Dani actually sings. I mean, of course it's done in his own angry way, but it's possibly the sexiest voice in the metal scene today.

1. "Nymphetamine" I can hear the diehard fans' groans of disgust now at my choice of song from the album of the same name, but I have my reasons. This was my very first Cradle of Filth song so I have a fondness purely from that, but also I feel this is the perfect opener for someone new to the metal or Cradle of Filth scene. There are several versions of the song, but I feel that the original "Fix" is the best. The words are easy to sing along to (which is important to me) while the music is catchy. The opening melody has been the most recognizable Cradle of Filth song ever since it's release with good reason. This song just plain rocks.

Trying to figure out only ten songs for this article was extremely difficult. By all means these ten songs are simply not the only good Cradle of Filth songs, but I did my darndest to narrow it down. I hope to have opened your minds to a different breed of music if you're not already a supporter of metal music. Also, I realize that this list may not gel with every Cradle fan, but hopefully at least one or two songs make their lists. Enjoy the music!