黑金属流派细分类中,在英国名气最大的莫过于是Cradle Of Filth,这支以吸血黑金属(Vampyric Black Metal)为号召的黑金属乐团。打从1991年成军开始,自称(Supreme Vampyric Evil)的Cradle Of Filth,利用黑金属中特殊交响的音乐成份与阴森异教的特有元素,夹带着吸血鬼文学裡特有的艺术,独立出自成一派的所谓『吸血黑金属』,其中主唱Dani特有尖厉般的黑腔,更成为乐迷票选黑腔的第一名。COF从「The Principle of Evil Made Flesh」到「Bitter Suites To Succubi」,张张专辑皆成为黑金属各年度的指标,为纪念这十馀年成军的过程,Cradle Of Filth首度于2002年推出本张官方现场录音专辑(2CD),完成阶段性的目标。
正如Kerrang编者Dom Lawson在专辑内长2页的引言介绍所指出,Cradle Of Filth对于Live CD的製作,是秉持比录製录音室版专辑还要更仔细的态度,来製作。相较于其他乐团直接节取几段几场live录音,本作品是Cradle Of Filth精心规画的Live CD,是整场于英国境内着名的Rock City面对2000名乐迷表演时,长达90分钟的现场收音版本。
从"Intro"交响歌剧的开场,到"Lord Abortion"交响气势结合阴森气息的重厚节奏与主唱Dani超撕裂黑腔与死腔的述说转换,不管在balance或是音质清析度上,你绝对会给与这张Live CD超高水准的评价。另外,CD2中除收录以往四首经典歌曲的remix版本与原始Demo版录音版,让你一次体会Cradle Of Filth创作过程中,原始粗野与Remix厚重的区别外,更附上重新翻唱The Sister’s Of Mercy的"No Time To Cry"的Video Clip,让你看看Cradle Of Filth如何诠译吸血黑金属的特色。
Live Bait for the Dead is a live album by Cradle of Filth, recorded at Nottingham Rock City on 14 April 2001. The same gig is included on the DVD Heavy, Left-Handed and Candid. Following the same format as Lovecraft & Witch Hearts, the main album is supplemented by a second disc of rare tracks and remixes. This would be bassist Robin Eaglestone's final recorded appearance. The album was released and (uniquely, so far) distributed on the band's own Abracadaver label.