Cradle of Filth Invades Disneyland in Anaheim, California
House of Blues
Anaheim, California
October 21, 2021
British extreme/gothic metallers Cradle of Filth unleashed their 13th album Existence Is Futile on October 22nd, 2021. With that, they announced their first USA tour in two years just in time for the album's release. This very special tour was not only to promote the new album, but COF would treat their fans to a very special setlist which included their classic 1998 concept album Cruelty and the Beast played in full for the first time ever, as well as an encore of other fan favorites. Cruelty and the Beast is a concept album about the Hungarian "blood countess" Elizabeth Báthory. This tour would also feature COF's newest member Anabelle Iratni who would be handling the keyboards and female vocals. The House of Blues was across the street from Disneyland so it was definitely interesting seeing a band like COF playing nearby. Regardless, the audience were happy to see COF come back and were more than ready to let loose.
As COF prepared to go on stage, the stage was covered by a thick eerie fog that only gave the stage more life. The lights went out and the crowd cheered as the members of COF made their way to the stage. Being that they're playing Cruelty and the Beast in full, they started their show with Thirteen Autumns and a Widow. The band started with full force as fans raised their horns and mosh pits quickly started up. Vocalist and founding member Dani Filth unleashed his hellish shrieks and high-pitched vocals onto the audience in front of him. The next songs from the album were Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids and the fan favorite, Beneath the Howling Stars. There were no quiet or dull moments as COF performed their songs to perfection and fans loved every minute of it. After a few more songs, up next was the 11-minute gothic masterpiece Bathory Aria. It's always a pleasure hearing this song live as it has only been started playing live since 2017. The album came to a finish with Lustmord and Wargasm. A powerful finish and COF left the stage to prepare for the encore set. After a brief break, COF came back out and played their Iron Maiden cover of Hallowed Be Thy Name which is one of the bonus tracks on the album. The song hasn't been played live since 1995 so for most, if not all the fans in attendance, it was their first time hearing this cover live. Being that they just released a new album, it would only make sense that they played a couple of songs from the new album. The first song was the first single from the new album Crawling King Chaos which also has a music video out. The other song played from the new album was Necromantic Fantasies. Nearing the end of the show, COF played one of their best songs Nymphetamine (Fix). It's a truly beautiful song that let Iratni shine with her hauntingly beautiful vocals. Sadly, it was time for COF to call it a night. To end the show, COF played their usual closing song which was From the Cradle to Enslave. COF wrapped up their show, bowed to the fans and once again left the stage. Even on a Thursday night, fans showed up to pack the venue and you could see it on their faces that they were left satisfied until the next time COF comes around.
Photos and review by Misael Ruiz
Setlist
Cruelty And The Beast:
Once Upon Atrocity Thirteen Autumns and a Widow Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids Beneath the Howling Stars Venus in Fear Desire in Violent Overture The Twisted Nails of Faith Bathory Aria Portrait of the Dead Countess Lustmord and Wargasm (The Lick of Carnivorous Winds) Encore:
Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden cover) Crawling King Chaos Nymphetamine (Fix) Necromantic Fantasies From the Cradle to Enslave
