Cradle of FILTH/INFECTED RAIN THE GOV, SA SEPT 26, 2024
From goths to metalhead to die hard fanatics they came out from all the corners of the dark earth, summoned by the commands of an eerie demonic sound. Yes, Cradle of Filth were in town and they brought with them Infected Rain and there was no escaping this madness.
It was the first Australian tour for Infected Rain and they hit the stage with a thunderous clap that kept on going and going as they played material from their latest album ‘Time’ including the vicious ‘Dying Light’ where frontwoman Lena Scissorhands vocals were both angelic and venomous at the same time.
Lena’s vocals was haunting and hypnotic especially on ‘Vivarium’, guitarist Vadim ‘Vidick’ Ojog thrashed around like he was possessed, running around in circles tripping over his own feet. They needed a bigger stage just for him. New bass player Alice Lane totally blew everyone away with her riveting bass lines and drummer Eugen Voluta pounded those drums like he was crushing a wall. With each song Lena had her troops (us, the audience) lined up in one massive bunch as well waited, listened and then whipped into a frenzy with circle pits. The band finished off with Sweet, Sweet Lies from their Embrace Eternity album which according to Lena was an old one with tradition and what a rush it gave the audience.
If Infected Rain was the appetizer for the night, then Cradle of Filth was going to be one hell of a bloody banquette as they opened the gates of hell. Seeing Cradle of Filth live is not for the fainthearted. The band graced the stage in their own majestic way and stood waiting for their commander Dani Filth who came out in an outfit filled with spikes and wearing what one could only think was a black KKK full face cloth mask. Dani locked eyes on the hungry crowd and let out his scream that would eventually pierce the eardrums of those around as the band leapt into songs from their 2021 album ‘Existence is Futile’. The crowd roared back at Dani while thrashing their heads to the tunes and fist pumping the air. It didn’t take long for people to be thrown in the air and the crowd surfing begun. Small circle pit were then introduced and even a table was thrown in the mix for just the hell of it.
The show continued and Pinhead painted guitarist Marek 'Ashok' Smerda pranced around the stage doing a demonic tap dance but like a ritual style, before each song started band members would turn their backs on the crowd. Keyboardist and female vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff seemed to be summoning up her witches with her gothic vocals and chilling sounds which joined Dani’s continuous shrieks. Of course, the band had to play classics like ‘The Principle of Evil Made Flesh’ and ‘Dusk in Her Embrace’ with Dani telling the crowd how delightful and delicious they were as if everyone was part of his meal as he was ready to rip the hearts out of the vulnerable. Cradle of Filth finished the show the way it should be finished with the song ‘From The Cradle’, then it was over and the crowd was left to go back to their dark corners. This was an Epic Show to say the least.
Catch Cradle of Filth & Infected Rain on their remaining Australian dates
Friday 27 September: MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Saturday 28 September: SYDNEY, Metro Theatre
Sunday 29 September: BRISBANE, The Triffid