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Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa
by
Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa Image
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: The UK metal legends return to their roots on their ninth album, which takes a dark mythic tale of demons and doom and turns it into haunting black metal musical configurations.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Rock Sound
    Nov 5, 2010
    90
    Most strikingly, Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa displays a masterful control over the multi-faceted Cradle Of Filth sound; brutal vocal gymnastics, skull-rattling double-kicks, symphonic flourishes, dramatic narrative and balls-out axe-slinging all make their presence known, but in a manner which routinely serves to bolster the coherency of the greater whole.
  2. PopMatters
    Nov 24, 2010
    80
    Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa is a masterpiece of extreme metal creation. With some of the best compositions of its career, the highest-quality lyrics in its history, and none of the misfires it has suffered in the past, Cradle of Filth has delivered one of the best extreme metal releases in recent memory.
  3. AllMusic
    Nov 17, 2010
    70
    The concentration on writing and arrangement is disciplined, with a strong set of dynamics, a terrific mix, and great production, and of course the lavish package lives up to the band's reputation as well.
  4. Kerrang!
    Nov 5, 2010
    60
    All the usual COF ingredients--the abrasive vocals, the dexterous buzzsaw riffage, the furiously prop propulsive drumming--are present and correct, but here they're channeled into more streamlined songs while the more melodic elements are often pushed to the fore. [23 Oct 2010, p.50]
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  5. Uncut
    Dec 20, 2010
    60
    On its own merits, rather a hoot. [Jan 2011, p.83]
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  6. Q Magazine
    Nov 4, 2010
    40
    Dani Filth's ninth album ramps up the Carry On Screaming! schtick; the result is one he's behind you short of a pantomime. [Dec. 2010, p. 103]
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  7. Alternative Press
    Nov 4, 2010
    30
    Orchestral additions are cool, but here they dominate both in terms of volume and notes-per-minute, transforming potentially aristocratic black metal like "The Cult Of Venus Aversa" and "War" into poorly layered sonic slop. [Dec 2100, p.111]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. TheDarkTyrant
    Apr 1, 2016
    10
    I was amazed when I heard Cradle's 2010 album! I just love Cradle of Filth because their music is just so addicting to me! When I hear Dani'sI was amazed when I heard Cradle's 2010 album! I just love Cradle of Filth because their music is just so addicting to me! When I hear Dani's voice, it is as if, I am in a trance of some sort. it is crazy to think that, but whenever I hear this album and all the other albums from Cradle, they are brilliant. I enjoy each and every album they create. Brilliant Band, would love to meet them someday.… Expand
  2. ADIL
    Jun 20, 2012
    10
    The best music the best rock band, especially the main singer! I honestly hear them in 1999 and they have the best until now ... Cradle OfThe best music the best rock band, especially the main singer! I honestly hear them in 1999 and they have the best until now ... Cradle Of Filth king of Ghost rock on world >>>> :)… Expand
  4. CradleCOBHC
    Sep 5, 2011
    9
    Cradle of Filth, seem to be living up to their reputation as one of the most sinister, blasphemous and aggressive black metal bands with theirCradle of Filth, seem to be living up to their reputation as one of the most sinister, blasphemous and aggressive black metal bands with their latest release Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa. This 2010 release is the 2008's release, Godspeed On the Devil's Thunder processor which was a very good album and it seemed like a fresh breeze on a dry day after the medium releases of Thornography, Nymphetamine and Damnation and A Day. Darkly, Darkly pretty much followed the steps set by Godspeed but it was harder, faster, more melodic and overall a better album; a great album. It tells the story of Lilith, first wife of Adam which actually was a demon so Cradle, as expected, were more sinister and dark than they were in any other album they released this past decade. The album is in absolute harmony and coherence as the eleven tracks it contains are set in an "unfolding" order of the story of Lilith. On this album, guitarist, Paul Allender set some high standards as long as guitar work goes. The super heavy intro riff of Deceiving Eyes, the melody of Paul's guitar in The Persecution Song, the monstrous riffs of Lilith Immaculate, the haunting guitar work of One Foul Step From The Abyss and Beyond Eleventh Hour and of course the extraordinary riffs and "eartearing" solo of Forgive Me Father are Paul's guitar highlights in this album and probably deserve to be among Allender's guitar work highlights of his career. Dani's vocal style continues to be amazing and his shrieks seem to have come off better in Darkly than in Thornography and Godspeed. Just listening to his vocals is a sheer heavy metal pleasure. In this latest release the band also seems to have paid a great deal of attention to the drums(not that there ever was a time that the band's drumming disappointed me) as Martin Skaroupka was a true beast behind the drum set; perfectly supporting the other instruments and also harmonizing with them where should thus creating a very expressing,dark and sinister atmosphere. Of course there is no need to mention the mind blowing blastbeats since Martin has accustomed us to his excellent skills and unique playing. The keyboards were once again a very nice touch adding much to the sinister and dark atmosphere of Venus Aversa. Great synthesizing as if all the keyboard parts were written in a blast of inspiration. The only thing i did not like about this and the previous record is the absence Sarah Deva's vocals. Both Ashley's and Caroline's vocals are good but Sarah's are just outstanding. I think Deva is probably the best vocal partner for Dani as their unique vocals make a great duet. Darkly, Darkly Venus Aversa is a 9 out of 10 album for me. One of the best releases of 2010 and of the best releases in Cradle of Filth's portofolio.… Expand
  5. giorgio_ortiz
    Jan 26, 2019
    9
    it may not be for all, but for the fans its the one of Dan's finniest works

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