Since the release of “The Screaming of the Valkyries” (see our review) this year, a lot has changed. For me personally (I am not going to discuss this) but also a lot has happened in the Filthling camp. Both Ashok and Zoe Marie Federoff (now wife of Ashok) have been fired at Cradle of Filth and now a lawsuit is pending on Dani Filth and his management. A lot have been said on social media and the way it’s been handled by the Cradle camp and ex-Cradle camp should have been more, with lack of better words, civilized. But I am not going to delve into that. I am just happy that CoF managed to keep their tour going offering us (sometimes cheesy) Gothic Extreme Metal. Astonishing, how fast new members have been drafted during the tour making sure that a packed Hedon can witness the vampiric awesomeness offered from this legendary act. But first Death Metal giants Suffocation are ready to pulverize the stage.

But wait! First Mélancolia has approximately thirty minutes to show what they are capable of. Except for the fact that both Cradle of Filth and Mélancolia are both on Nuclear Blast Records, the Deathcore doesn’t fit with both brutal acts on the bill. But that’s how it goes in showbizz, always need to promote stuff.  I will give it a go as well (comes with the territory 😉 ), and to be honest, these Aussies didn’t disappoint at all! Their music is infused with Industrial. They managed to pull off quite an energetic show! Bassist Toby Thomas (who looks a lot like the old guitarist of Coal Chamber) was quite cool to watch. In general their show was receipted well by the audience. A song as “SPIT” aided with additional vocals, even made sure that a mosh-pit happened. Their vocalist Alex Hill is an absolute maniac on stage making sure that there’s plenty to experience. Frankly, I am not a big fan of the genre but Mélancolia managed to give a good opening show. Not bad at all!

I must admit I never have and never will be a big Death Metal fan. It takes an acquired taste that I simply do possess that much. That doesn’t mean that Death Metal, and in this case Suffocation, isn’t enjoyable though. This band, hailing from the USA, is a household name when it comes to quality Death Metal. This behemoth is still going strong, and it seems that there are loads of people coming for this band. Almost immediately after starting their gig a mosh-pit was happening. Suffocation operated like a well greased machine and with deadly precision the songs were delivered. A lot of songs from their latest album “Songs of the Apochrypha” such as “Dim Veil of Obscurity” and “Seraphim Enslavement” were played. But oldies like “Jesus Wept” and “Thrones of Blood” were not forgotten. Suffocation might be around quite some time but still prove they are a force to be reckoned with. Nothing else than sheer Death Metal delight was given here. Forty-five minutes is short yet just enough to get your fix of Death Metal blasphemy. Great energetic performance and the audience loved it!

After a wait of approximately thirty minutes, it is finally time for Cradle to enter the stage. They were here to conquer, and conquered they have. Starting with “To Live Deliciously” and “Demagogary” from their latest album we are off to a good start. With a mix of old and new songs, good light show and killer sound they managed to blow me away with their Gothic Metal extravaganza. Older songs such as “Nocturnal Supremacy” and “The Principle of Evil made Flesh” and newer songs such “Malignant Perfecton” are working out excellently together. Simply put: UK’s filthiest were killing it live on stage.  It seemed that the newly drafted guitarist Jiří Háb pulled of his licks and kicks effortlessly and replaces Ashok easily. Same can be said of Kelsy Peters who performed the vocals “White Hellebore” and ”Nymfetamine (Fix)” in superb manner. How I love “Bathory Area” and “Funeral in Carpathia’ being played live. Dani still can screek, squeak and howl like the olden days.
After an intermezzo Cradle of Filth returns playing the utterly enjoyable “Death Magick for Adepts”. But wait: Filth has a surprise up its sleeve. An additional vocalist steps in and performance the spoken word section of this song (originally recorded with Doug “Pinhead” Bradley) giving me a dose of chills and thrills I haven’t encountered in a long time. The vocalist also does his trick with the last song “Her Ghost in the Fog” (what an absolute Gothic gem this track is!) ending a superb and highly enjoyable performance.  Witnessing the mosh-pits, applause and cheer pleasure coming from the audience, I reckon I’m not the only one.
I really, really…..did I mention really? enjoyed seeing Cradle live in Zwolle and want to thank Hedon for making this possible. Also thanks to Simone Kniest for making additional pictures (I surely hope I am a better reviewer than photographer). Hail Cradle, on to the next gig!!

Setlist Cradle of Filth:

1. To Live Deliciously
   2. Demagoguery
   3. Nocturnal Supremacy
   4. Malignant Perfection
   5. The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
   6. How Many Tears to Nurture a Rose?
   7. Nymphetamine (Fix)
   8. White Hellebore
   9. Bathory Aria: Benighted Like Usher / A Murder of Ravens in Fugue / Eyes That Witnessed Madness

Intermezzo: Creatures That Kissed in Cold Mirrors / The Monstrous Sabbat (Summoning the Coven)

11. Funeral in Carpathia
    12. Death Magick for Adepts
    13. Her Ghost in the Fog

Setlist Suffocation:

1. Catatonia
   2. Seraphim Enslavement
   3. Pierced From Within
   4. Clarity Through Deprivation
   5. Dim Veil of Obscurity
   6. Effigy of the Forgotten
   7.Perpetual Deception
   8. Thrones of Blood
   9. Jesus Wept
   10. Breeding the Spawn
   11. Funeral Inception
   12. Hymns From the Apocrypha
   13. Liege of Inveracity
   14. Infecting the Crypts

Setlist Mélancolia:

1. All Is Rust
2.  icanseethroughtheholesinmyhands
3. SPIT!
4. Picking Scabs
5. <boiler.room>
6. Lithia
7. random.access.misery