Not their finest, but still solid.
I wasn't expecting another Damnation and a Day.
We got something more straight forward.
More like a kick to the face.
Not even in the same league as Damnation but still a good disc.
Essential?
Probably not, but fun to listen to in the car.
Especially the first song...... :)
Naughty!!!

BUY THIS
I'M A DIE HARD CRADLE FAN AS WELL AINTO DEATH METAL ,SPEED AND BLACK. THIS IS A MUST HAVE CD FOR ANY CRADLE FAN FOR AWHILE OR IF ONE IS NEW TO THEIR MUSIC.BUY IT

Greatest Metal CD I've Heard
I really like Nymphetamine. It was the first CD I've ever owned of Cradle of Filth. Nymphetamine is obviously the best song on the album, but I also liked Swansong for a Raven and English Fire. Eight and nine are good tracks, too. I really like how each album that Cradle of Filth puts out tends to have some type of theme. For instance, this album tends to be more of a Salem witch trial-type theme (where woods represent evil, death is by hanging, etc.) Damnation and a Day is obviously about Lucifer's fall from Heaven and his new reign over Hell and the extent to his power. This is probably still their second-best album in my opinion. I think Damnation and a Day probably beats it.

Gets unfairly critcized
Cradle of Filth has gotten unfairly criticized for reasons that I have yet to find true. Some say its not "black metal", or its "trendy" or because they appeared on Viva La Bam, they are sellouts. First off, black metal fans seem to compare them Mayham, Gorgoroth, Emperor, and Dark Throne. If we look at the older material of some of these bands, the sound was completly different 10yrs ago or even farther back then that. Some of the bands such as Emperor have taking a more modern approach on the Black Metal sound. Comparisions really arent fair, because we could could compare Bolt Throwers "Doom" type metal to Cyrotopsy's "Progrssive" Style metal. Same genre, two completly different sounds. COF might not follow traditional black metal style, but its still pretty solid. The band has some great lyrics, and the musical ability of the band is rock solid. I have always thought of the band with a Marilyn Manson type sound, that is speed up (such as with the heavy use of keyboards) and Danni does have an exteme vocal that is very "Black" Metal like. If we look at other "True" black metal bands such as "Emperor"(newer),"Old Man's Child" and "DB" you will find that they use a lot of the same technical aspects that COF uses. Please note when I say "true" I dont mean that these are great bands and they define "black metal" Its just that this is the classification that these bands get, unlike Cradle, which says they arent black metal, but then again, who cares, and even if the band themselves or fans tell you they arent, they still have a heavy influence by black metal bands such as "Hellhammer" and "Venon" If you can find it listen to COF cover of "Black Metal" It really kicks some a**. Regardless of what we want, or what the band wants to classify it, they are still a powerful band, and even though they might be in danger of selling out (I get this from the things that I have read, but I just dont see it happening) BUT IF IT DOES, there is always the older material, and this brillent album that has very little filler. ENJOY

Actually really good
This is about 3.5 stars - a pretty good album. When I first heard this band, I remember thinking they were frightful. Bt that's not actually true. If you take time to look at the lyrics - Dani Filth really knows how to write a song, and he uses words I never even heard of before I listened to the song. He has a really imaginative and original way of describing things, which is awesome. The instruments are fantastic as well - the guitars in particular. And they scream rather than sing, but that's really what helps add flavour to the style of music - my friend (who loves hiphop) said that his 'singing' was rubbish - but that's part of the style of music.
And for all you people who say it's full of swearing - Green Day,American Idiot has more swearing than this, so it's actually not too bad - and they do not CONSTANTLY rant on about Satan the way some metal bands do. They do sometimes, but not constantly.
So all in all, this is a pretty good band - but not one of my favourites.