Preordine

Although it had a very troubled birth, all detailed in the liner notes included with those different versions here, CRADLE OF FILTH almost-album-length 1996 EP V Empire, Or Dark Faerytales In Phallustein proved to be a superb triumph over adversity.

Despite all their legal problems, line-up changes and insane pressure after the gigantic success of their debut album, the Brits nevertheless managed to write and record a slab of new even grander songs, next to a new version of the already classic ‘The Forest Whispers My Name’, some would argue even bettering their debut in the process.

Another undeniable 90s symphonic black metal masterpiece, available again for the first time officially since 2017!

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD with 24-page booklet.
New liner-notes by Olivier ‘Zoltar’ Badin.

Remastered from the original 1996 DAT by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in January 2025.

Until 2016, very few people had access to the original version of CRADLE OF FILTH follow-up to their hugely successful debut album The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh.
Entangled in legal problems with their former label and with few of their key members about to jump ship to form THE BLOOD DIVINE, this recording was seemingly doomed to fail. It thus remained locked up in the vault for over twenty-one years, the band having decided ultimately to shelve it and quickly record and release the V Empire, Dark Faerytales In Phallustein EP instead, before committing to tape another version of this album with a revamped line-up and new arrangements.

Having heard the fans’ plea, Dani Filth finally agreed to issue it officially for the first time in 2016 after remastering it with the help of famed producer and longtime collaborator Scott Atkins (AMON AMARTH, VADER, GAMA BOMB, BENEDICTION).

Cream black marbled 2-LP limited to 850 copies with a 12-page 12” booklet incl. new liner-notes by Olivier ‘Zoltar’ Badin, a double sided A2 poster and a download-card.

Until 2016, very few people had access to the original version of CRADLE OF FILTH follow-up to their hugely successful debut album The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh.
Entangled in legal problems with their former label and with few of their key members about to jump ship to form THE BLOOD DIVINE, this recording was seemingly doomed to fail. It thus remained locked up in the vault for over twenty-one years, the band having decided ultimately to shelve it and quickly record and release the V Empire, Dark Faerytales In Phallustein EP instead, before committing to tape another version of this album with a revamped line-up and new arrangements.

Having heard the fans’ plea, Dani Filth finally agreed to issue it officially for the first time in 2016 after remastering it with the help of famed producer and longtime collaborator Scott Atkins (AMON AMARTH, VADER, GAMA BOMB, BENEDICTION).

Black tape with a 5 panel j-card.
Limited to 500 copies..

Until 2016, very few people had access to the original version of CRADLE OF FILTH follow-up to their hugely successful debut album The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh.
Entangled in legal problems with their former label and with few of their key members about to jump ship to form THE BLOOD DIVINE, this recording was seemingly doomed to fail. It thus remained locked up in the vault for over twenty-one years, the band having decided ultimately to shelve it and quickly record and release the V Empire, Dark Faerytales In Phallustein EP instead, before committing to tape another version of this album with a revamped line-up and new arrangements.

Having heard the fans’ plea, Dani Filth finally agreed to issue it officially for the first time in 2016 after remastering it with the help of famed producer and longtime collaborator Scott Atkins (AMON AMARTH, VADER, GAMA BOMB, BENEDICTION).

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD with 24-page booklet.
New liner-notes by Olivier ‘Zoltar’ Badin.

Three years may've passed since that recording, but MALICIOUS have only become more unhinged in the meantime. Witness the four-song Merciless Storm. Tauntingly titled once again, Merciless Storm picks up right where Deranged Hexes left off, but sees the Finns following a natural progression in all aspects. With a runtime of 11 minutes, it's mercilessly / mercifully short and sweet, upping the violence and aggression to levels impossibly beyond that nuclear-powered debut album. And yet, the songwriting remains stout and streamlined and perhaps minutely more detailed and even palatably "refined." If anything, Merciless Storm possesses a clearer soundfield, but that only amplifies the savagery to an insane degree, especially the '80s Slayer-style 

Arising from Vancouver’s potent extreme metal mire, REVERSED initially materialized in 2015 through a dedication to the SPIRIT of real DEATH METAL and a rabid OBSESSION with DEATH. Guided by more passion than execution, this collection of well-honed ghouls quickly fell into a sepulchral trance to channel a singular form of necrotic, razor-lined heavy metal devilry.

Dying to crack open the tomb, REVERSED harnessed and released the Widow Recluse demo tape into the wild in 2018 via Muerto En La Cruz and the recently closed Temple of Mystery. Showcasing the band’s gestating lunacy, the demo revealed shades of black, death, and thrash violently assembled into a refined vision of chaotic mayhem - a runaway train barely remaining on the rails. Due to wild demand, this was immediately followed by vinyl and CD versions on Temple of Mystery in 2019.

Mages Terror are built upon the fiery hunger of Illogium's will to create a third psyche outside of Portal and Vomitor which would explore the devotion to the arts of thrashing ancient death and speed metal with the traditional essence. Elite levels of darkness and hate are fused with simplified, structured headbanging riffs, adorned with scathing vocals and a mix of shredding vs. haunting solos.

Alongside him is guitarist Rotten, hailing from the Brisbane death metal unit Pustilence, with his highly skilled virtuoso style of soloing, which offsets the atonal horror of the solo work by Illogium - a complementary guitar duo. Vocalist / bassist Stillborn, who also bleeds over from Pustilence, unleashes a scathing presence that commands over the dual fire. Drums are pounded by CY, who has graced bands in the past such as Mongrels Cross, Impetuous Ritual, 

Forged in heretical fire while lurking in the darkest shadows of the underground for the past 13 years, this London (UK) band formed by Swedish, Spanish, Greek, and Polish musicians has crafted a debut album that's guaranteed to send cold shivers down your spine. A truly sinister musical journey containing 9 forbidden rites deeply steeped in witchcraft, necromancy, and an overall occult and utterly macabre atmosphere, NECROMANIAC's first full-length is everything its weighty title promises...and more!