It's cold, it's dark and it's the first night of CRADLE OF FILTH's ''Inquisitional Tourture 2015'' tour which has hit Nottingham's Rock City this evening. CRADLE OF FILTH has a soft spot for Rock City, with filming their ''Heavy, Left Handed and Candid'' DVD here in 2001 and having their guitarist Richard Shaw also from the area.

The band earlier this year released ''Hammer Of The Witches'' which has gained new fans to the band and excited the old ones, especially with tracks such as ''Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych''.

The main support for tonight is Australia's NE OBLIVISCARIS.
If you're into heavy music and not know anything about them then you must not be paying attention.  If you love melodic metal with hints of death and violins then this band is for you, provided with Xen's haunting growls whilst he windmills to the crowd backed by Tim Charles hard hitting cleans and violin solo's it makes for a great set for the evening which will be hard for CRADLE OF FILTH to beat.

The set comprised of a mix of songs, some heavier than others such as ''And Plague Flowers The Kaleidiscope'' and ''Devour Me, Colossus Part 1, Black Holes''.  NE OBLIVISCARIS are one of the most hard working bands around and they deserve a listen if you get the chance. Easily one of the best live bands to witness too with their sheer epicness.

 

Next up is the band the audience have been waiting for all evening, the mighty CRADLE OF FILTH who open up with ''Heaven Torn Asunder'' followed by ''Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids'' and ''Blackest Magick In Practice'' which included pyro, high vocals and heavy guitars.

The setlist is a mix of tracks from ''Hammer Of The Witches'', ''Vempire'' , ''Nymphetamine'' and more.  Vocalist Dani Filth has more energy than ever and it seems as if his live vocals  have improved dramatically through time for the better, combined with Linzi Schoolcraft's harmonies on ''Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych'' it makes a beautiful balance.

Guitarist's Richard Shaw is one of the most energetic members of the band's, it seems as he is a true fit from previous members as he is in full gothic character whilst playing the heaviest songs.

Though the venue isn't as busy as usual it's full of fans dressed head to toe in black with the band's merch, seeing as CRADLE OF FILTH have a heavily dedicated UK following.

 

Overall the night was a success, NE OBLIVISCARIS proved their worth in mindblowing but small set and CRADLE OF FILTH reminded Nottingham why it's one of the heaviest bands from the UK.

If you manage to catch the tour then it's a must that you go.

Setlist:
Heaven Torn Asunder
Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids
Blackest Magick In Practice
Lord Abortion
Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych
Malice Through The Looking Glass
Deflowering The Maidenhead, Displeasuring The Goddess
Queen Of Winter, Throned
Yours Immortally..
Nymphetamine
The Twisted Nails of Faith
Her Ghost In The Fog

*Photography by Emily Coulter