Cradle of Filth’s last album, 2021’s Existence is Futile, was a solid release proving the band still has plenty to offer after thirteen studio albums. As the fans patiently await the next offering from the legendary British band, Cradle of Filth have released a live album to tide their legions over.

Trouble and Their Double Lives (Napalm Records) is not your average live album cash-in. Cradle of Filth has packed this record to the gills with everything fans love about their favorite extreme gothic band. In addition to the live tracks, the band has included two brand new studio tracks, ‘She is Fire’ and ‘Demon Prince Regent’. ‘She is Fire’ is an absolute monster and worth the price of admission alone. All of this along with Dani Filth’s always-entertaining stage banter and personality makes this an absolutely mandatory purchase for all fans.

Recorded between 2014 and 2019 the album contains 16 tracks taken from shows all over the world including their Cryptoriana World Tour. It’s been quite some time since the band released a live album, their last being 2002’s Live Bait for the Dead. 

Scott Atkins produced, mixed, and mastered the album and has done a tremendous job. Most live albums are usually muddled and plenty gets lost in the mix. You don’t miss a single note on Trouble and Their Double Lives. It’s all here from Filth’s trademark sonic shrieks, filthy guitars, and soft keys, you experience it all. Honestly, there were times when I found it hard to tell this was a live album, the band is that tight sounding here. 

Some of the standout tracks included are the classic, ‘Heaven Torn Asunder’ (which would be a tragedy if this wasn’t included), ‘Nymphetamine (Fix)’ ‘Funeral Shores’ and ‘Right Wing of the Garden Triptych’. ‘Funeral Shores’ hits just as well as it did when I was first introduced to the band many, many moons ago and takes me back to that time. The orchestration sounds pitch perfect on ‘Right Wing…’, I can’t give Scott Atkins enough credit here for his ability to deliver every note of this amazing live performance. Lindsay Schoolcraft’s vocals are incredible on these tracks and it’s an absolute tragedy that she is no longer involved with the band. 

Overall this a damn fine offering from Cradle of Filth. The two new recordings are enough alone to make it a must-buy for die-hard fans. For everyone else, this album serves as a great introduction, or compilation, of the band and highlights the gothic monsters at the top of their game.

Buy the album here:

https://napalmrecords.com/cradleoffilth

9 / 10

ANDREW RISCH