In grade school, the most exciting part of the poetry units our teachers often dragged students through kicking and screaming was finally getting to lyrical poetry. Of course, we were more interested in literal song lyrics than actual poems. Who doesn’t love music? Everyone was eager to share their favorite songs with the class, without a second thought as to what actually constitutes poetry in lyric form. I’m not going to delve into the impossible (in my opinion) task of clearly delineating what makes lyrics poetry in a song versus what is simply a song, if such a division even exists. But, there’s one modern band in particular that I think has a profound significance in this discussion of lyrics as poetry and even more so the use of language in the genre of music. What makes this band an even more interesting conversation piece is their often controversial content as well as belonging to the largely misunderstood and criticized metal genre (black metal/gothic metal in particular and as applies here). Of course, I’m talking about Cradle of Filth.
As you can quickly find with a simple Google search, Cradle of Filth is an English “extreme metal” band that formed in Suffolk in 1991. Extreme metal: an umbrella term for a number for related heavy metal music subgenres as developed from the early 1980s, usually referring to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound. Here’s a few excerpts of their lyrics that I find particularly poetic:
Her Ghost in the Fog
Soft winds whisper the bidding of trees
As this tragedy starts with a shattered glass heart
And the mid-nightmare trampling of dreams
But oh, no tears please
Fear and pain may accompany Death
But it is desire that shepherds its certainty
As we shall see…
That kissed the cold mirrors
A queen of snow
Far beyond compare
Lips attuned to symmetry
Sought her everywhere
Dark liqoured eyes
An Arabian nightmare…
Nymphetamine
Cold was my soul
Untold was the pain
I faced when you left me
A rose in the rain
So I swore to thy razor
That never, enchained
Would your dark nails of faith
Be pushed through my veins again
Cradle of Filth was given the honor of being included in the Millennium Dome’s Museum Of British History as an example of old language in modern usage of literature and lyrics, furthermore as a poetic achievement. A video presentation included in the museum’s display even featured 10 seconds of their song “From the Cradle to Enslave.” I think it’s pretty self-evident that a heavy metal band being positively featured in a cultural museum for their use of language is a pretty big deal for the genre. More than just being written in an elevated poetic form, the significance of Cradle of Filth’s lyrics is that they incorporate the archaic language (correctly might I add) that forms the roots of modern English.
I encourage those further interested in the band, as well as lovers of Nardwuar’s entertaining antics, to check out this interview done with Cradle of Filth (NSFW, some might find the material offensive):
Sound and Vision 