Midnight in the Labyrinth cover

Midnight in the Labyrinth

Cradle of Filth · 2012

143 min · 19 tracks · gothic metal

A dark and atmospheric journey through gothic metal, blending haunting melodies with extreme intensity.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    A Gothic Romance (Red Roses for the Devil’s Whore) Start here — This track exemplifies the album's blend of grandeur and darkness, opening with a dramatic orchestral introduction that sets an evocative tone. Its lyrical themes intertwine love and horror, encapsulating the band's signature aesthetic.
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    The Rape and Ruin of Angels (Hosannas in Extremis) — The song combines brutal riffs with lush strings, highlighting the duality of beauty and brutality that defines Cradle of Filth's sound. Its expansive structure showcases the band's ability to balance heavy instrumentation with melodic intricacies.
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    Funeral in Carpathia — This track is a reimagining of one of Cradle of Filth's earlier works, transforming it with richer orchestration that enhances its haunting atmosphere. It serves as a testament to the band’s evolution while retaining its darker romantic themes.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • haunting orchestral journeys unfold
  • wave-like intensity with crescendos
  • dark themes for late nights
  • immersive storytelling across tracks
  • rich emotional landscapes to explore

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of quick gratification
  • prefer standalone, upbeat tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Reimagines earlier material, showcasing a deliberate departure from typical sound.
Themes
gothic romance· Carpathian landscapes· brutality and beauty
Career context
Released in 2012, Midnight in the Labyrinth is Cradle of Filth's follow-up to their 2008 album Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their legacy within the gothic metal genre while exploring orchestral and cinematic elements that would enhance their sound. This album also marks a transition as they began to incorporate more symphonic influences into their work.
Stylistic neighbors
Dimmu Borgir· Nightwish· Type O Negative

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Dusk and Her Embrace

    This moment shifts from lush romantic imagery to stark depictions of death, creating a tension between beauty and despair. The interplay between these contrast…

    The transition reveals how seamlessly the song navigates between sensuality and horror, reinforcing the gothic narrative style that is central to the band's identity.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 A Gothic Romance (Red Roses for the Devil’s Whore) Start here 8:39
  • 2 The Forest Whispers My Name 5:42
  • 3 The Twisted Nails of Faith 7:05
  • 4 The Rape and Ruin of Angels (Hosannas in Extremis) 8:19
  • 5 Funeral in Carpathia 8:51
  • 6 Summer Dying Fast 5:21
  • 7 Thirteen Autumns and a Widow 7:14
  • 8 Dusk and Her Embrace 6:31
  • 9 Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids 7:46
  • 10 Goetia (Invoking the Unclean) 13:06

Disc 2

  • 1 The Rape and Ruin of Angels (Hosannas in Extremis) 8:19
  • 2 Dusk and Her Embrace 6:28
  • 3 Summer Dying Fast 5:20
  • 4 The Twisted Nails of Faith 7:05
  • 5 Funeral in Carpathia 8:37
  • 6 The Forest Whispers My Name 5:42
  • 7 Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids 7:46
  • 8 A Gothic Romance (Red Roses for the Devil’s Whore) Start here 8:35
  • 9 Thirteen Autumns and a Widow 7:13

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata