Goth metal isn’t necessarily my go to on the daily listen. However, I had a phase and fell in love with Cradle of Filth in middle school. They’re a throw back for me and I can always pop on Nymphetamine Fix and get lost in it. They came through Harrisburg, Pa for the second time in less than a year and I laced up the goth boots and hit Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center for a hell of a show.
One of the many reasons I enjoy Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center besides the intimacy of the venue is that they often reach out for local bands to support the larger acts that come in. The first support of the night was Suicide Puppets. This is a well known band to the Harrisburg area and it’s a wonder I hadn’t had the chance to see them until this show. Not only do these guys have an amazing industrial metal sound but they are just a FUN show. From make up, to movement, to crowd interaction they were the perfect start to get the Capitol Room warmed up.
Suicide Puppets
FeltSideOut
Following up Suicide Puppets was FeltSideOut. These York, PA fellas boast a sound that’s rock/metal/indie rock “churned into a mass of pure angst-ridden energy”.
Frayle
Direct support for this tour was Frayle. To quote, their sound is “music for the night sky” and the imagery to match. The Cleveland based group has a beautiful sound that’s been called doom/post-metal. It was easy to get lost in Gwyn Strang’s voice coupled with the intricate lighting of the set. The imagery of Gwyn and her costuming imminently made me think of Maria Brink of In This Moment.
Cradle of Filth
I’d been at the venue for several hours now and talked with fans as they lined up by the gates. Many had come from 2-4 hours away. The room went dark and it was finally time. They began the set with Existential Terror a song from their latest album Existence Is Futile. As the set progressed, the crowd moved more and more and a mosh pit erupted that I happily hopped into the wall of. Of course when the harrowing vocal beginnings of “Nymphetamine Fix” rang out right after the entirety of the crowd sang along.
Front man, Dani Filth, put his all into the final show of the tour with his signature high pitched screams as the symphonic melodies of the band played. I hope to see Cradle of Filth back at HMAC again, I wouldn’t be SAD if they picked a 3rd date in a 12 month period. Who knows, maybe I’ll get my wish.
Setlist
Existential Terror
Nocturnal Supremacy
Lilith Immaculate
I Am the Thorn
Crawling King Chaos
Nymphetamine (Fix)
Gothic Romance (Red Roses for the Devil’s Whore)
Scorched Earth Erotica
Us, Dark, Invincible
Portrait of the Dead Countess
Lustmord and Wargasm (The Lick of Carnivorous Winds)
Necromantic Fantasies
Her Ghost in the Fog
Gilded Cunt
