The Filth Returns To The Belasco Theater

Vocalist Dani Filth and Cradle of Filth perform at The Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 23, 2021. (Photo credit: Maurice Nunez)

MAURICE NUNEZ | Go Venue Magazine

Cradle of Filth was back tonight, Saturday, October 23, 2021, at The Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. If you are not familiar with them, they are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk, England in 1991. Their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily influenced by Gothic literature, poetry, mythology and horror films. The band consists of its founding member, vocalist Dani Filth, drummer Martin ‘Marthus’ Škaroupka, bassist Daniel Firth, guitarists Richard Shaw and Marek ‘Ashok’ Šmerda, and keyboardist Anabelle Iratni.

Tonight they were back at the Belasco to play a special set that consisted of their 1998 album Cruelty and the Beast which would be played in its entirety for the first time ever, as well as an encore of other new songs and fan favorites. Cradle of Filth also just released their 13th album, Existence Is Futile on October 22nd. Tonight was definitely promising to be a rowdy one in Los Angeles.

There were two opening support acts prior to COF. The first of which was, Thrown Into Exile. These guys got the crowd going with an intense set of headbanging metal. I hadn’t seen these guys before, but they were a great opener. The LA crowd definitely approved.

Up next was, Once Human. This would be the first time I had seen them live. They were formed in Los Angeles by former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader. Tonight they played a loud set of metal anthems which were only intensified by Lauren Hart’s hellish extreme vocals. The fans were singing along and headbanging as they ripped through a monstrous set. Look forward to seeing them again next time they play LA.

The stage was now set for Cradle of Filth who came on around 10:00pm. Tonight, lead singer Dani Filth and crew would be performing the album Cruelty and the Beast in full. This would also be the first time LA would see new member and keyboardist Annabelle Iratni. They got things started with the atmospheric “Once Upon Atrocity” playing over the speakers, then went right into “Thirteen Autumns and a Widow.” The LA crowd immediately responded, with mosh pits forming almost instantly. The band went on to play the entire album along with some other fan favorites, including two new tracks, “Crawling King Chaos” and “Necromantic Fantasies.” The night came to an end with “From the Cradle to Enslave” which was a perfect way to end the evening.

It was great to see true extreme metal back at The Belasco Theater. We want to thank Cradle of Filth for making it back to Los Angeles. To help celebrate the release of their new album Existence Is Futile the band has just announced a show on All Hallows’ Eve in London! Tickets for this unholy night are on sale now ⁣at: www.cradleoffilth.com/tour. ⁣

See photos and full setlist from tonight’s show below.

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

Cradle of Filth

Once Human

Thrown Into Exile

All images © Maurice Nunez
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