Cruelty And The Beast - Re-Mistressed

My first introduction to Cradle of Filth was in a park where I would go as a kid and hang out with some friends from school. It was a melting pot of different age groups and walks of life. One day this cool looking guy turned up wearing new rock boots, an 'emperor' t-shirt and he was blaring cradle of filth from his phone.I went home and listened to them on youtube, bought 'thornography' which was the current album at the time, but internet incredibly sophisticated back then so you mostly had cd's, music videos, and some youtube with terrible buffering. So I didn't experience their back catalogue very much, as it took too long to download on lime torrent back then (everyone did it).But later I had a sleep over at a friends house after a party, and he played me cruelty and the beast on his little oval cd player. A track that stood out, and still stands out as an art piece. 'Venus in fear', which *spoilers ahead, skip to TL:DR to avoid* includes a woman screaming at the top of her lungs in harmony with a woman having an...exciting time. It was both embarrassing and cool at the same time to me lying in the dark my friends bedroom floor.Thus, I never bought this on cd, as I used to prefer their heavier stuff, but as I've aged I find albums such as this showed off the musical ability of the members at the time. The remaster does a great job of highlighting this and allows each instrument and vocal part space. I'm enjoying re-exploring cradle albums I didn't appreciate when I was younger, and this one has some great tracks.The complete works of hissing orchestral strings, complex guitar work, and frantic pattern changes provides a foundation of cradle of filth's broad musical spectrum. The harmonies, vicious riffs, Dani screaming his lungs out, beautiful female vocals and a great variety of tracks that all align with the theme of the aimed concept. The remaster isn't as raw as the original, but allows for a clearer listening to the different parts. Some sections are so complex it's hard to comprehend how you'd even remember how to play it, so hats off to them.TL:DR The re-mistressed version broadens the original album sonically and provides a clear soundscape where you can hear each instrument individually. Each note, and each blast beat. The quality of the product is beautiful with a heavy translucent red double LP, sleeved in an artistic, informative, durable and well made sleeve. I never know what Dani is screaming about so it's nice to have the lyrics printed on the inside so I can follow along. Some impressive poetry behind the screaming!

Cruelty And The Beast - Re-Mistressed is a remix of the classic black metal album by Cradle of Filth. The band originally released the album on the 5th of May, 1998 through Music For Nations. The album is legendary for having truly awful production, the result of which led to the band losing three members, drummer Nich Barker, guitarist Stuart Anstis and keyboardist Lecter.I have been living with a copy of Cruelty And The Beast a lot longer than I'd like to admit. It's a really good album and one that a lot of Cradle of Filth fans are really fond of. The only problem is, the music is great but the production is nearly as diabolical as something like Metallica's And Justice For All. There's little to no bass on the album whatsoever. This naturally compromises the drums as well as the bass guitar. It sounds awful and after hearing this remix, I won't be playing it. Never again.Cruelty And The Beast - Re-Mistressed is not like Dusk And Her Embrace: The Original Sin. That album was a completely different recording, whilst this one is literally the same music as the original CD but with a completely different sound. Not only does the mix have considerably more lows and mids, but the bass guitar itself has been turned up. It's great to hear it too as the bass player Robin Graves delivers some nice grooves and melodies. The addiction of more bass sits beautifully under the magnificent performance by Nicholas Barker, a metal monster behind the kit. His drum kit has considerably more impact in the tom toms as well as the bass drum. It's just how the album should have been from the start.Everyone who enjoys this band has the original CD and love tracks like Thirteen Autumns And A Widow, Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids and Bathory Aria. The band play their hearts out in what should be considered one of the most underrated albums of 90s heavy metal. There's no lack of quality lyrics, great riffs and haunting melodies. It's definitely a record most black metal bands wish they could make. There's the addition of the bands cover of the Iron Maiden classic, Hallowed Be Thy Name. It's tacked on at the end as the eleventh track. The seven minute epic is more commonly known as a track on disc two of the Lovecraft & Witchhearts album. It's not necessary but it's a good cover version and a nice bonus track.If you're a Cradle of Filth fan who doesn't own this, just buy it. I'm serious. This was a great album to begin with and the production was the only issue. Now that has been corrected and it makes for a fantastic listen. The new sound opens up the music so much more and it's fantastic. I couldn't recommend it more.

Item overall is amazing and art is so good but a shame its slightly warped on one end, does effect it playing at least. And it is both disks that are warped it does look like the top was scuffed a little unsure if this is what's caused it in transport. Otherwise happy.

An iconic concept album in Black Metal, Cruelty And The Beast has never sounded better. As soon as Thirteen Autumns And A Widow began, I realised I could make out each individual tom drum, where they all sounded very similar on the original mix. The dynamics and space left for the strings and vocals make them stand out more clearly, with it being more apparent how many careful layers of vocals there are. Low end and bass is still solid as always. Packaging is top class, printed disc sleeves each contain art on one side with a writeup from Dani and Dayal Patterson on the other side. Centrefold has the lyrics which are a LOT easier to read and follow than the original CD booklet. The records themselves are semi-transparent red vinyl, not quite 180 gram quality but pretty close. The only negative I had was a couple of jumps the first time playing it (despite no visible dust) which went away after a few passes of the anti-static cleaner. Also includes a wearevinyl.com code for an mp3 download, which is a nice bonus.

Never had a problem with the original. I always remember Dani saying he wasnt a fan of the mixing for it. Now I've listened to this I understand why. The sound crushes the original and breathes new life into what is undoubtedly one of Cradle of Filths greatest works.