Gilded Cunt

Cradle of Filth's 'Gilded Cunt' is a scathing critique wrapped in the band's signature gothic and extreme metal style. The song's lyrics are a venomous diatribe against a person who hides their true, malevolent nature behind a facade of charm and beauty. The term 'gilded cunt' itself is a stark metaphor, juxtaposing the idea of something superficially beautiful ('gilded') with something considered vulgar and offensive ('cunt'). This contrast highlights the theme of deception and the ugliness that lies beneath a polished exterior.

The song opens with the line 'Your misery is worn as a veil,' suggesting that the subject uses their suffering as a disguise to manipulate others. The reference to 'Eve' and 'a bitter parody' implies a perversion of innocence and purity, further emphasizing the subject's deceitful nature. The imagery of 'daggers from the swagger of a sodomite's concubine' adds a layer of aggression and betrayal, painting a picture of someone who is both dangerous and duplicitous.

Throughout the song, the narrator expresses a desire to expose and destroy this facade. Lines like 'My preference leans to killing you quickly' and 'Scissored in the gizzard' convey a violent urge to cut through the lies and reveal the truth. The repeated refrain 'Gilded cunt' serves as a brutal reminder of the subject's true nature, stripped of any pretense. The song also touches on themes of power and control, with references to 'Satan's agents' and 'the palace at Versailles,' suggesting that the subject's manipulative behavior is both pervasive and deeply entrenched.

In essence, 'Gilded Cunt' is a dark, poetic exploration of hypocrisy and the destructive power of deceit. It challenges listeners to look beyond appearances and question the true nature of those who present themselves as virtuous or benevolent, revealing the sinister motives that may lie beneath.