Total Fucking Darkness (demo, anno 1993)
Self- Released/Independent
2014
Anyone with a working knowledge of the broodingly romantic Englishmen, CRADLE OF FILTH, is well aware that the band has never shied away from controversy or gothic-tinged blasphemy. So it is with this “newly” released demo, “Total Fucking Darkness”, fans can finally get a taste of their humble beginnings. Notable by many to be the “epicenter” for commercial underground Metal (alongside DIMMU BORGIR), Dani Filth and company certainly have come miles from where the 1993 demo cassette initially landed in select hands!
Opener, “Spattered in Faeces” starts with a brief rendering of haunting keys before blasting into rhythms that were typical fodder for the debut, “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh”. While the chorus is mellow with the atmospherics returning to the background, the sound is brilliant and well produced, due in large part to the song never being part of the demo, but rather recorded for “Goetia”, CRADLE OF FILTH’s initially planned title for their first album. Incidentally, the original recordings were all but lost with the exception of this number. Early classic “The Black Goddess Rises”, sounds the part; vocals high in the mix with “garage-sounding” drums and played noticeably slower than perhaps fans are used to. Dani Filth’s vocals here and on later songs, are gargled and inarticulate, ranging at times to higher elevated squeals.
“Unbridled at Dusk” exudes CRADLE OF FILTH’s flare for the dramatic as sorrowful, yet haunting, melodies are reinforced by backing keyboards that take control. Eerie breaks abound to tragic effect before the furious pulse returns with minimalist soloing to bring the song to a close. “The Raping of Faith” is a cut that recalls the gloomy soundscapes of the English horror franchise, Hammer Films, to which the band owe much for inspiration. Nicely executed and audibly rank with visual Gothic trappings, “The Raping of Faith” is a slow burn of churning, melo-Death while demo outro, “Fraternally Yours, 666” hears former member Ben Ryan’s uninspired and utterly pointless instrumental fall flat in less than a minute – disappointing. Adding to the proceedings, Dani Filth, Paul Ryan and former Cacophonous Records founder, Frater Nihil decided to include cuts that would have been recorded for the “Goetia” recording during the fall of 1992. “Devil Mayfair (Advocatus Diaboli)” is a muffled affair with Dani growling his way through rhythmically similar ideas to “The Black Goddess Rises”, though with some “stop and go” passages. A couple of instrumentals crop up once more , though this time, they seem better “fleshed out” and interesting, especially “Seance and Mandrake”.
With the original five cuts included along with other select hymns as well, fans can expect a treasure trove of days (and fullmoons) past, but is “Total Fucking Darkness” essential? Yes it is for those with discerning tastes and remembrances of CRADLE OF FILTH’s enigmatic beginnings. For those who later jumped onboard the “CRADLE bus” to popular, “Hot Topic” trends, best look elsewhere, as the dirty recordings may inspire “cringe-worthy” reactions and boredom. Ah, youth…..
Standout Tracks: Spattered in Faeces, As Deep as Any Burial, The Raping of Faith
8/10
Chris
Interview with Dani Filth by Ondes Chocs:
