V Empire (Or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein)

V Empire (Or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein)
EP by Cradle of Filth
Released	22 April 1996[1]
Recorded	1996
Genre	Extreme metal
Length	36:24
Label	Cacophonous
Producer	Mags at Academy Studios
Cradle of Filth chronology
The Principle of Evil Made Flesh (1994) V Empire (Or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein) (1996) Dusk... and Her Embrace (1996)

V Empire (Or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein) is an EP by British metal band Cradle of Filth, and their first release following their 1994 debut album, The Principle of Evil Made Flesh. It was the band's final release for Cacophonous Records, and was hastily written and recorded for that label as a contractual obligation, before the band jumped ship to Music for Nations. As such, it is the first of two releases from 1996, the other being Dusk... and Her Embrace. Despite the circumstances in which it was written and recorded, it was well received by critics and a handful of its tracks are staples of the band's live sets to this day.

V Empire sees a step up in production from the band's debut and introduces the fast, highly technical instrumentation that would be the hallmark of the band's next few releases. It includes a re-recorded version of "The Forest Whispers My Name." and includes songs written by both the Principle line up and the new recording line up. This is where the band's lyrics began to manifest more as gothic poetry, fusing the band's brief satanic elements with depictions of macabre romance and vampirism that would encompass their later lyrical themes.

Half of the band was replaced for this recording, with Stuart Anstis replacing Paul Allender, Paul Ryan on guitar, and Damien Gregori replacing Benjamin Ryan on keyboards. V Empire is the first recording to feature backing vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva. "Jared Demeter", the second guitarist credited in the booklet, is in fact fictional and all guitars were played on this release by Stuart Anstis. The band wanted to maintain its image as a sextet. His picture is a doctored image of other band members spliced together. "Demeter" is the name of the ship in Dracula used by the titular vampire to travel to England.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Dani Filth, all music composed by Cradle of Filth.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ebony Dressed For Sunset"	2:49
2.	"The Forest Whispers My Name"	4:41
3.	"Queen of Winter, Throned"	10:27
4.	"Nocturnal Supremacy"	5:53
5.	"She Mourns A Lengthening Shadow" (Instrumental)	3:42
6.	"The Rape and Ruin of Angels (Hosannas in Extremis)"	8:52

Personnel

• Dani Filth – vocals
• Nicholas Barker – drums
• Stuart Anstis – guitar
• Damien Gregori – keyboards
• Robin Eaglestone – bass guitar
• Sarah Jezebel Deva – backing vocals

References

1. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Cradle-Of-Filth-Vempire-Or-Dark-Faerytales-In-Phallustein/release/369898