Cradle of Filth's third full-length is another slab of uncompromising black metal, a darkly melodramatic opus where the song titles alone ("Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids," "The Twisted Nails of Faith," and "Lustmord and Wargasm [The Lick of Carnivorous Winds]") tell almost the entire story; fans of the genre will embrace Cruelty and the Beast, but the unconverted are likely to find it all rather silly. [The Japanese release includes three bonus tracks: "Black Metal," "Hallowed Be Thy Name (Shallow Be Thy Grave)," and "Sodomy and Lust."] ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide