V Empire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein

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Vempire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein is Cradle of Filth's second official release, following The Principle of Evil Made Flesh. The title is a play on the words "vampire" and "empire". It was the band's final release for Cacophonous Records, and was hastily written and recorded for that label as a contractual obligation, before the band jumped ship to Music for Nations. It is generally considered an EP rather than a full album. The back cover describes it as "a ritual comprised of six parts and having a duration of forty minutes". Despite the circumstances of its release, Vempire was generally well-received.

Vempire has a cleaner, better produced sound than the band's debut, but retains the fast, highly technical instrumentation. Dani's vocals are also a lot clearer in the mix, and vary between a number of aggressive styles to give a more theatrical feel to the overall production. It includes a revamped version of the previous album's "The Forest Whispers My Name". Vempire is the first recording to feature backing vocalist Sarah Jezebel Deva.

"Queen of Winter, Throned" was listed among twenty-five "essential extreme metal anthems" in the issue of Kerrang! magazine dated October 7th, 2006. The song in question was an evolution of the song "A Dream of Wolves in the Snow" from their previous album.

Track listing

All songs written by Cradle of Filth.

1. "Ebony Dressed for Sunset" – 2:49
2. "The Forest Whispers My Name" – 4:41
3. "Queen of Winter, Throned" – 10:27
4. "Nocturnal Supremacy" – 5:53
5. "She Mourns a Lengthening Shadow" – 3:42
6. "The Rape and Ruin of Angels (Hosannas in Extremis)" – 8:52

Credits

• Dani Filth – vocals
• Nicholas Barker – drums
• Jared Demeter – guitar
• Stuart Antsis – guitar
• Damien Gregori – keyboards
• Robin Eaglestone – bass guitar
• Sarah Jezebel Deva – backing vocals