The chilling sounds of Cradle Of Filth have been gathering attention for nearly five years. Challenging everything in their path, including police intervention on more than one occasion, the English sextet have fought their way to the top of Europe's blossoming black metal scene. Now their sights are set on you.

Dusk And Her Embrace is the latest recording from the band and the first to hit American shores. Acting more like the soundtrack to the most twisted Peter Cushing movie in existance, the cold sweat that the band evokes quickly heats to a maddening torment as they welcome you to your most lavish nightmare.

Produced by Kit Woolven (Cathedral, Thin Lizzy), Dusk And Her Embrace captures Cradle Of Filth's darkened musical dexterity. Inspired by the likes of Celtic Frost, Bathory, Diamanda Galas and Mercyful Fate, it contains some of the most ornate creations one will hear this side of Hades. Its compelling sounds are provided by the bands new lineup, adding guitarists Stuart Anstis and Gian Pyres, and keyboardist Damien Gregori, to the band's core of bassist Robin Eaglestone, drummer Nicholas, and immortal dark screamer Dani.

Unlike most black metal albums, those that suffer greatly from less-than-fabulous production, Dusk And Her Embrace is a sonic gem. Taking over two months to record, it offers a challenge to a scene and habits that are far too often uninspiring. As a recent issue of Terrorizer said, "COF have managed to up the ante without sacrificing the essence, namely the music."

"We wanted this album to transcend the way a normal album would sound," says Dani. "We wanted it to sound almost inhuman, like a film score. You can listen to it watching a Dracula movie with the sound down or watching something cataclysmic, like War Of The Worlds."

Cradle Of Filth arrive in the U.S. amidst a fanfare of controversy. Having recently ungraced the cover of The London Mirror, the demi-gods continue to intimidate those of weak mind and body. With the arrest of 29 year old Rob Kenyon (already convicted on profanity charges for wearing a COF t-shirt) and the banning of a group photograph destined for the cover of a recent issue of Kerrang! (the magazine's distributors found the photograph "likely to cause offense"), COF are no strangers to shocking propaganda. Yet, despite persistant legal attempts, the band show no indication of slowing or toning down.

"Anything groundbreaking will always be deemed amoral," says Dani. "However, it's something that has worked with our band. COF has always exercised the excesses of vice over virtue and we will continue to do so. Like us, hate us, or ignore us. Our music is going to move people."

Under the self adopted banner of "Supreme Vampyric Evil", Cradle Of Filth have carved a niche for themselves amidst the whirl and rash of the rising black metal phenomenon. The band's raucous imagery and gothic flights of fancy have made them one of the biggest black metal bands of their time. And with European sales of the band's 1994 debut, The Priciple Of Evil Made Flesh, and 1996's Vempire - Dark Faerytales In Pallustein already exceeding over 100,000, they are without a doubt the biggest act of their kind the U.S. have seen since Venom. As the band's growing legion of fans continues to expand, so too does COF's hold on the darkened throne.

Eagerly antcipated, the release of Dusk And Her Embrace should make for an interesting new adventure for Cradle Of Filth. Your Hell awaits...