Bathory Aria

My husband gave me “Bathory Aria” by Cradle of Filth as a wanted Xmas gift. It was on my list. I have listened to this almost 12-minute presentation a couple of times. It opens with an orchestral, symphonic prelude, and descends into the primitive, unintelligible “chanting” of a cronish Erzebet. It is an artistic, and creative piece, but even 400 years ago, 54 wasn’t that old. Would she have sounded like such a hoarse hag? It is supposed to add to her evil, ugly aura, I guess. Would that more would read her letters as compiled by Kimberly Craft. She fits the bill more of Pym’s excellent woman than vampiric monster. I have to say I like the band. It’s T-Shirts are collectors items and hard to find. My vampire girl with caption “Vigor Mortis” was a gift from my mom, who have me the money. My mom was cool, no two ways about it. She bought me Marquis de Sade books for my dissertation, and scoped the comic book stores with me for Anne Rice Graphics, Neil Gaiman comics, and Vampirella. You should have seen her in Marie LeVeau’s Voodoo Shop in New Orleans. The Aria is from the 1998 album by COF, Cruelty and the Beast. Below is an excerpt from the Wikipedia article on the album. I don’t usually use Wiki P as a cite, but this one has some good references, and it is a useful source for more current pop culture. The articles on the band and album correctly note that the band writes and sings more for shock value, but that history, Goth culture, mythology, and fairy tales influence their songs. Ingrid Pitt did some vocals on the album, too. Please note that the late Ms. Pitt noted on a documentary about Erzebet that the stories about the Countess were “rubbish:” All lyrics written by Dani Filth, all music composed by Cradle of Filth (Filth, Stuart Anstis, Gian Pyres, Robin Eaglestone, Les Smith and Nicholas Barker). No. Title Length 1. "Once Upon Atrocity" (Instrumental) 1:43 2. "Thirteen Autumns and a Widow" 7:14 3. "Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids" 7:18 4. "Beneath the Howling Stars" 7:42 5. "Venus in Fear" (Instrumental) 2:20 6. "Desire in Violent Overture" 4:16 7. "The Twisted Nails of Faith" 6:50 8. "Bathory Aria"1. "Benighted Like Usher"2. "A Murder of Ravens in Fugue"3. "Eyes That Witnessed Madness" 11:02 9. "Portrait of the Dead Countess" (Instrumental) 2:52 10. "Lustmord and Wargasm (The Lick of Carnivorous Winds)" 7:30 (wikipedia.org) A Google search on Cradle of Filth turns up many more sources about the band and its music.