Cruelty and the Beast

Cruelty and the Beast
Studio album by Cradle of Filth
Released	May 5, 1998
Recorded	Early 1998
Genre	Extreme metal
Length	58:55
Label	Music for Nations, Mayhem Records
Producer	Jan Peter Genkel & Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth chronology
Dusk... and Her Embrace (1996) Cruelty and the Beast (1998) From the Cradle to Enslave (1999)
Alternative covers
Variant cover for 2-disc Mayhem Records edition
Variant packaging for the Celtic Cross edition

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Sputnikmusic	[2]
Zenial	[3]

Cruelty and the Beast is the third studio album by English extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. It is a concept album based on the legend of the Hungarian "blood countess" Elizabeth Báthory. The album features guest narration on certain passages by Ingrid Pitt in-character as Báthory; a role she first played in the Hammer film Countess Dracula in 1971.

The album ranked tenth in a Kerrang! top ten "Essential Black Metal" albums list in 2000.^[4] and is regarded by many fans as one of Cradle of Filth's classic releases. This was the last Cradle of Filth album to feature guitarist and songwriter Stuart Anstis, keyboardist Les Smith and drummer Nicholas Barker.

The production and mixing for Cruelty and the Beast has attracted some criticism, particularly for the sound quality of the drumming and the mixing of the female vocals and guitars. Observers have stated that the drums and guitars have a cold and haunting feel to them and this has resulted in much debate about the overall sound of the album. Several of the band members have expressed their disappointment with Sarah Jezebel Deva revealing on the band's official messageboards, "the production is absolute rubbish. When I first heard it I had tears in my eyes. I had spent 25 hours working in the studio on that album and it sounded like I had my head in a toilet. You couldn't hear most of my vocals. The songs are amazing, but the mix was an outrage. Most of us felt the album was ruined".^[5]

Track listing

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

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Once Upon Atrocity" (instrumental)	1:42
2.	"Thirteen Autumns and a Widow"	7:14
3.	"Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids"	7:18
4.	"Beneath the Howling Stars"	7:42
5.	"Venus in Fear" (instrumental)	2:20
6.	"Desire in Violent Overture"	4:16
7.	"The Twisted Nails of Faith"	6:50
8.	"Báthory Aria"	11:02
9.	"Portrait of the Dead Countess" (instrumental)	2:52
10.	"Lustmord and Wargasm (The Lick of Carnivorous Winds)"	7:30
Total length:		58:55

Limited edition bonus disc
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lustmord and Wargasm II (The Relicking of Cadaverous Wounds)"	7:58
2.	"Black Metal" (Venom cover)	3:27
3.	"Hallowed Be Thy Name" (Iron Maiden cover)	7:10
4.	"Sodomy and Lust" (Sodom cover)	4:47
5.	"Twisting Further Nails" (The Cruci-Fiction Mix)	5:31

Personnel

• Dani Filth - Vocals
• Stuart Anstis - Guitars
• Gian Pyres - Guitars
• Robin Eaglestone - Bass
• Lecter - Keyboards
• Nicholas Barker - Drums
• Sarah Jezebel Deva - Female vocals
• Ingrid Pitt - Guest vocals on "The Twisted Nails of Faith" and "Báthory Aria"

References

1. ^ Cruelty and the Beast at Allmusic
2. ^ Sputnikmusic review
3. ^ Zenial review
4. ^ http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang_p2.htm#gigs
5. ^ http://cradleoffilthonline.yuku.com/topic/2880