The EP was recorded during a period of upheaval for the band, with Gian Pyres and Nick Barker leaving prior to its release (Pyres would return for the recording of Midian) and Stuart Anstis and Les Smith departing the band soon afterwards.[citation needed]
From the Cradle to Enslave contains two original compositions: the title track and "Of Dark Blood and Fucking". The rest of the disc consists of a re-recording of a track from the album Dusk... and Her Embrace and two or three cover versions, depending on the region (the US release includes "Dawn of Eternity" instead of the European version's title track remix "Pervert's Church").
AllMusic described the EP as "a worthy addition to any fan's collection, featuring several songs that rank with the best of their work".[2]
Dani Filth revealed his antipathy towards the title track in Kerrang!: "We have to play it at every gig... I'd like to erase it, so I wouldn't have to play it again. After a while you just want to play something different. There's something about the hook that just strikes a chord of fear down my spine."[5]
"From the Cradle to Enslave" was the first of Cradle of Filth's songs to have an accompanying music video. It was directed by Alex Chandon, who would go on to produce further promo clips and DVD documentaries for the band, as well as the full-length feature film Cradle of Fear. The video features explicit images of nudity and gore[6] and was released in two versions, one edited (supposedly to make it MTV-friendly) and one uncut. Both contain a reference to the Cruelty and the Beast cover art, when a woman is seen emerging from a bathtub filling with blood. Both versions can be found on PanDaemonAeon, which was released on VHS on 5 October 1999, and on DVD in 2002.[7] The DVD also includes a "Making-of" documentary and a short live show, recorded at the London Astoria on 5 June 1998.
