Nymphetamine

About

"Nymphetamine" is the sixth studio album by the English extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. It was recorded between February and July 2004 and released on 28 September 2004 through Roadrunner Record. The album marked the first appearance of guitarist James McIlroy on a Cradle of Filth studio release. McIlroy later performed on the band's 2010 album "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa". "Nymphetamine" was also the final Cradle of Filth album to feature keyboardist Martin Powell. The album title is a portmanteau of "nymphette" and "amphetamine". Vocalist Dani Filth described the concept as representing an addictive and destructive romantic relationship with gothic and vampiric theme. The lyrical style and atmosphere drew influence from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. The album features guest appearances by former Theatre of Tragedy and Leaves' Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine, as well as actor Doug Bradley, known for portraying Pinhead in the "Hellraiser" film serie. Bradley had previously collaborated with the band on "Midian". The song "Mother of Abominations" opens with the phrase "Ia! Ia! Cthulhu fhtagn!", a reference to the Cthulhu Mythos created by H. P. Lovecraft. The title track appears in two versions on the album: the nine-minute "Nymphetamine (Overdose)" and the shorter "Nymphetamine Fix". Dani Filth provided commentary on the album's songs in a 2004 press release. "Gilded Cunt" was described as a song about materialism and domination, musically influenced by Sepultura and Terrorizer. "Nemesis" explored themes of terrorism and revenge in the aftermath of the September 11 attack, with influences from At the Gate, Judas Priest, and Morbid Angel. "Gabrielle" focused on a gothic romance involving obsession and murder. "Absinthe with Faust" was inspired by themes of decadence, guilt, nostalgia, and the Faust legend, and was compared musically to mid-1980s Metallica. The title track "Nymphetamine" centered on a destructive romantic relationship and combined melodic passages with heavier section. "Medusa and Hemlock" depicted members of a witch cult invoking supernatural forces during Samhain. "Coffin Fodder" addressed themes of escapism, individuality, and personal destiny, incorporating elements reminiscent of Iron Maiden. "English Fire" dealt with national heritage and decline, while rejecting nationalist or fascist interpretation. "Filthy Little Secret" presented a Lovecraft-inspired story involving supernatural protection against demonic force. The track had originally not been intended for inclusion on the album. "Swansong for a Raven" served as a sequel to "Her Ghost in the Fog" from the album "Midian", continuing the narrative of revenge and persecution. "Mother of Abominations" revisited the Cthulhu Mythos and acted as a continuation of the earlier Cradle of Filth song "Cthulhu Dawn". "Nymphetamine" debuted at number 89 on the Billboard 200 chart and reached number 92 on the UK Albums Chart. By early 2007, it had sold approximately 147,000 copies in the United State, making it the band's highest-selling album at the time. The album was certified Gold in Europe by the Independent Music Companies Association. Reports have also stated that worldwide sales exceeded one million copie. A music video for "Nymphetamine Fix" was directed by Dani Jacob. A special edition of the album was released in 2005. It included an additional disc featuring two new song, an alternate version of the title track, three cover song, a guest appearance by King Diamond, and a CD-ROM containing the promotional video for "Nymphetamine". Critical reception for the album was generally mixed to positive. AllMusic described it as "extremely entertaining". Other reviews from publications including Chronicles of Chao, Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal, and Metal Storm gave varied rating. The title track received a nomination for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. .

via Last.fm

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