Covered in Filth: A Tribute to Cradle of Filth compiles 13 tribute songs to British black- and Goth-metal veterans,
Cradle of Filth. It includes material from every studio album except for Damnation and a Day; there's even "Suicide and Other Comforts" and "Born in a Burial Gown," from the cheekily-named 2001 collection
Bitter Suites to Succubi. Its participants are a mixture of name-brands (Chronzon;
Wehrwolfe) and hungry up-and-comers (Kaul; Born of Thorns). Well-known or not, there are strong performances throughout. The tangible doom that permeated
Cradle of Filth's originals is lessened somewhat here, in favor of the more traditional or technical -- some of these tracks begin to resemble progressive metal covers of black metal mayhem. But this isn't necessarily surprising, given the inherent oddness (or darkness) of Filth's arrangements and surrounding aura. Standouts include
Willow Wisp's histrionic run/tear through "Forest Whispers My Name," as well as "Desire in Violent Overture," rendered by the quite obviously-named Lucifer. ~ Johnny Loftus