Live Review: Cradle of Filth – Epic Studios, Norwich
6th July 2025
Support: High Parasite
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin
With us being mid-festival season, gigs are a bit more few and far between at the moment. So tonight’s trip to Epic Studios in Norwich is a welcome break from the day to day. What wasn’t welcome is the delay in doors opening, from what I understand there was some logistical issues, can’t be helped but an annoyance non the less. This did however mean that the queue was huge and showed just how many people were attending tonight!
High Parasite are the support band this evening, formed in 2021, the outfit from West Yorkshire feature Aaron Stanthorpe, formally of My Dying Bride, on vocals.
With only ten minutes between doors opening and High Parasite taking the stage, the crowd hadn’t filled out that much before they came on, but by the end of the set it was rammed barrier to wall. Playing almost the entirety of their album 'Forever We Burn' is a phenomenal introduction to them, this is their debut record and really does set them up for good things to come.
Everything about their performance, from opening with 'Parasite' to ending with 'Forever We Burn' is enchanting. Aaron’s vocals are deep and captivating complimented incredibly by Tombs on the bass. The whole show is tight, and gives off the kinda vibe that you would expect from a gothic metal group. Parts of their songs are heavy, parts melodic, and some just a complete mix of the two.
Looking away from Aarons vocals, the sound is incredible and still keeps your attention. Overall, a wholly wonderful performance that unfortunately was cut short due to the nights delay. Check out their album 'Forever We Burn' to experience them for yourself.
Now what can be said about Cradle Of Filth. This years release of 'The Screaming Of The Valkyries' hit my Spotify and reignited my love for the band, that they were headlining one of the stages at Download this year meant I was definitely in there to check them out again. That performance was great, but tonight already feels better. A sold out show is the very least that these legends of extreme metal deserve.
Opening with a song from their latest album 'To Live Deliciously' was a fabulous introduction to anyone in the crowd that has not seen Dani Filth’s gang live before. There is no real let up in the tempo of the set, pulling songs from their extensive back catalogue, all carefully picked to just blow everyone away. This is a great “welcome home” so to speak for the band. Included were two songs of their very first album from back in 1994, 'The Principle of Evil Made Flesh' and 'The Forest Whispers My Name'; both sounding like they could have been released along side the opening song of the set. Proving that Cradle Of Filth found their sound at the very beginning and decide to become absolute kings of the genre.
You could see full that the whole band are genuinely having fun on stage as well, even though it is in a generally gloomy, moody kind of atmosphere.
Some songs were no surprise to hear on the set, 'Nymphetamine (Fix)' played remarkably early in the set considering it was probably the song that introduced most fans to them. Closing the show on 'Her Ghost In The Fog' is pretty much a given though
Although this tour is in support of their latest album, we only heard three songs from it, the previously mentioned 'To Live Deliciously', 'Malignant Perfection' and 'White Hellebore'. Hearing these definitely influenced me to give the album another listen on the way home.
All in, Cradle of Filth really pushed the boat out tonight, this performance was superior to their Download set. It felt more like one of their own performances rather than a festival show. Perhaps, it was because it was tipping down when they hit the stage at Download. Never the less, this was Cradle of Filth on top form and all in Norwich are very bloody happy they are touring again.
Photo Credit: Tom Atkin
