Cradle of Filth(left to right) Adrian Erlandsson, Dave Pybus, Dani Filth, Martin Powell, Paul Allender. Not pictured: James McKillboy.Cradle of Filth, formed in 1991, is a conglomeration of black metal and gothic metal, although their music has been somewhat difficult to classify. The group has progressed from a rawer, more traditional black metal sound to a fully orchestrated symphonic metal feel. Their music has often touched on gothic metal overtones, and has been both ridiculed and praised by critics. Most black metal fans criticise the group as coverage by Kerrang and MTV have brought them a much more mainstream and commercial image. Thus some black metal fans deem them "sell outs", while hardcore fans remain. Basic info
Characteristics of the works of Cradle of Filth include complex (and long!) song structures and orchestrations. A noteworthy feature of their music is the use of vocals as a rhythmical instrument, akin to rap music (although sounding very different): timing of syllables and usage of rhymes convey rhythm rather than melody. The lyrics have certainly been influenced by the works of Marquis de Sade and they are - albeit vulgar - of a high level, considering either the use of vocabulary or expressive or poetic qualities, especially for a heavy metal band. A common theme to the lyrics, music videos or album cover illustrations is moral decadence, often placed in the baroque era. Cradle of Filth succeed in combining the aforementioned arts of "higher" quality to a "lower" level such as splatter movie esthetics or banal, rude use of vocabulary. Current TourCradle of Filth's current tour is entitled "Swansong for a Nation" (US/Canada for November-December 2004). It began just after Hallowe'en (October 31, 2004). The set list is as follows (length: ):
BiographyAfter the band's formation and a period of rapid line-up fluctuation as four demos were recorded, Cradle of Filth signed to Cacophonous and released The Principle of Evil Made Flesh in 1994. After further member changes, the band released Dusk and Her Embrace, a critically acclaimed album that greatly expanded the band's fanbase throughout Europe and among black metal fans elsewhere. As the band became known for increasingly theatrical stage shows, Cruelty and the Beast was released to even greater acclaim, though sales were poor. The following year the band continued primarily on the touring route but did put out a DVD, PanDaemonAeon, and an accompanying EP, From the Cradle to Enslave, featuring the music from the production. One of the best-known and favourite songs the band has ever produced was the title track of the EP, "From the Cradle to Enslave." Cradle produced their fourth full-length studio album the following year: Midian, named after the biblical city of monsters, was fittingly released on Hallowe'en night, October 31, 2000. Their style at this point was probably their most defined, with Paul Allender joining the lineup on guitars, but their music was by no means mainstream, with titles such as "Lord Abortion," and yet another cult favourite, "Her Ghost in the Fog," which was featured in the soundtrack of the movie Ginger Snaps. Their music at this point was hard, but highly melodic and as usual, incredibly verbose and eloquent. Following the moderate success of Midian they released a "transition mini-album," as lead singer and frontman Dani Filth later referred to it, Bitter Suites to Succubi. Besides the obvious pun, the album was a mixture of four new songs, re-recordings of three songs from The Principle of Evil Made Flesh, two instrumental tracks, and a cover of The Sisters of Mercy's "No Time To Cry." Though stylistically it is similar to Midian the album is regarded as a failure by most critics. More line-up shifts followed. In 2003 they signed with Sony Music, and produced their fifth full-length studio album, 2003's Damnation and a Day, which was much less melodic black metal than symphonic metal with black undertones, or what is referred to as black symphonic metal. Though it disappointed some fans, this concept album, showing the events of the bible through the eyes of the devil, featured a 40 piece orchestra and 32 piece choir, and even more complex songs, both stylistically and lyrically. It also produced at least two videos on MTV2 - videos and MTV2 appearances being a rarity for Cradle of Filth. Some claim that the band is no longer playing "true" black metal music. Whilst this is for the most part true, they still have black metal undertones in their music, and after leaving Sony near the beginning of 2004, claim their most recent album Nymphetamine (released summer 2004) as their return to actual black metal. Dani Filth says that it is half-way between Cruelty and the Beast and Dusk and Her Embrace. Interestingly, it has been in hot debate since near the time Cradle of Filth became popular as to if they are true "black metal" or not. Comparing Cradle to most Norwegian black metal, they are completely different; this has led to them being deemed "melodic black metal," and generally the Norwegian black metal community shuns them as well as bands such as Dimmu Borgir that were brought into popularity following the pseudo-mainstream success of Cradle. Regardless of how "pure" their black metal sound is, most fans disregard the whole debate, as does Dani Filth. In his words, when asked to describe what kind of metal he thinks Cradle of Filth is, "Cradle of Filth is Cradle of Filth." Drummer Adrian Erlandsson describes Cradle of Filth as "Extreme Metal" and also disregards Cradle of Filth falling into the category of black metal due to the fact they sound nothing like bands such as Darkthrone, Immortal, Bathory, etc. Trivia
Band membersCurrent band members
Former band members
DiscographyStudio releases
Live and other releases
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Regardless of how "pure" their black metal sound is, most fans disregard the whole debate, as does Dani Filth. In his words, when asked to describe what kind of metal he thinks Cradle of Filth is, "Cradle of Filth is Cradle of Filth." Drummer Adrian Erlandsson describes Cradle of Filth as "Extreme Metal" and also disregards Cradle of Filth falling into the category of black metal due to the fact they sound nothing like bands such as Darkthrone, Immortal, Bathory, etc. 2004 Crosby Nash (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:8tkcu3xsanxk). Comparing Cradle to most Norwegian black metal, they are completely different; this has led to them being deemed "melodic black metal," and generally the Norwegian black metal community shuns them as well as bands such as Dimmu Borgir that were brought into popularity following the pseudo-mainstream success of Cradle. 2001 Carry Me (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:q9r9keztsq7b). Interestingly, it has been in hot debate since near the time Cradle of Filth became popular as to if they are true "black metal" or not. 2001 Bittersweet (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:4fjx7ia3g7or). Dani Filth says that it is half-way between Cruelty and the Beast and Dusk and Her Embrace. 1998 Another Stoney Evening (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:uk9ks32ia3vg). Whilst this is for the most part true, they still have black metal undertones in their music, and after leaving Sony near the beginning of 2004, claim their most recent album Nymphetamine (released summer 2004) as their return to actual black metal. 1977 Live (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:zw5h8q9tbtc4). Some claim that the band is no longer playing "true" black metal music. 1976 Whistling Down the Wire (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:9wc8b5p4tsqh). It also produced at least two videos on MTV2 - videos and MTV2 appearances being a rarity for Cradle of Filth. 1975 Wind on the Water (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:25rz28oc051a). Though it disappointed some fans, this concept album, showing the events of the bible through the eyes of the devil, featured a 40 piece orchestra and 32 piece choir, and even more complex songs, both stylistically and lyrically. 1975 Crosby-Nash live (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:kud0yl3jxpzb). In 2003 they signed with Sony Music, and produced their
fifth full-length studio album, 2003's Damnation and a Day, which was much less melodic black metal than symphonic metal with black
undertones, or what is referred to as black symphonic metal. Their music at this point was hard, but highly melodic and as usual, incredibly verbose and eloquent. He was charged with illegal possession of a hunting knife, illegal possession of a handgun and ammunition, and possession of marijuana. Their style at this point was probably their most defined, with Paul Allender joining the lineup on guitars, but their music was by no means mainstream, with titles such as "Lord Abortion," and yet another cult favourite, "Her Ghost in the Fog," which was featured in the soundtrack of the movie Ginger Snaps. Crosby was arrested when he went back to the hotel to pick up his property. Cradle produced their fourth full-length studio album the following year: Midian, named after the biblical city of monsters, was fittingly released on Hallowe'en night, October 31, 2000. A hotel employee searched the bag to try to find some identification, and found a quantity of marijuana, a 45-caliber handgun and a knife. One of the best-known and favourite songs the band has ever produced was the title track of the EP, "From the Cradle to Enslave.". In 2004, Crosby left behind a piece of luggage when checking out of a New York hotel room. The following year the band continued primarily on the touring route but did put out a DVD, PanDaemonAeon, and an accompanying EP, From the Cradle to Enslave, featuring the music from the production. On March 6, 2004 he was arrested for drug possession and weapons offences in New York City. As the band became known for increasingly theatrical stage shows, Cruelty and the Beast was released to even greater acclaim, though sales were poor. Later, he was the recipient of a highly publicized liver transplant. After further member changes, the band released Dusk and Her Embrace, a critically acclaimed album that greatly expanded the band's fanbase throughout Europe and among black metal fans elsewhere. He was set free after a higher court overturned his conviction on appeal. After the band's formation and a period of rapid line-up fluctuation as four demos were recorded, Cradle of Filth signed to Cacophonous and released The Principle of Evil Made Flesh in 1994. In 1985, he served a year in jail in Texas after having been convicted for a drug-related offence a few years earlier. The set list is as follows (length: ):. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work in the Byrds and Crosby Stills and Nash. It began just after Hallowe'en (October 31, 2004). He was an original member of The Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash (later Crosby Stills Nash & Young). Cradle of Filth's current tour is entitled "Swansong for a Nation" (US/Canada for November-December 2004). He is the son of Floyd Crosby, an Academy Award winning cinematographer. A common theme to the lyrics, music videos or album cover illustrations is moral decadence, often placed in the baroque era. Cradle of Filth succeed in combining the aforementioned arts of "higher" quality to a "lower" level such as splatter movie esthetics or banal, rude use of vocabulary. David Van Cortland Crosby (born August 14, 1941 in Los Angeles, California) is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. The lyrics have certainly been influenced by the works of Marquis de Sade and they are - albeit vulgar - of a high level, considering either the use of vocabulary or expressive or poetic qualities, especially for a heavy metal band. 2003 From the Front Row Live (live). A noteworthy feature of their music is the use of vocals as a rhythmical instrument, akin to rap music (although sounding very different): timing of syllables and usage of rhymes convey rhythm rather than melody. 2002 Déja Vu (live). Characteristics of the works of Cradle of Filth include complex (and long!) song structures and orchestrations. 2000 Live. Thus some black metal fans deem them "sell outs", while hardcore fans remain. 1996 King Biscuit Flower Hour (live). Most black metal fans criticise the group as coverage by Kerrang and MTV have brought them a much more mainstream and commercial image. 1995 It's All Coming Back To Me Now... (live). Their music has often touched on gothic metal overtones, and has been both ridiculed and praised by critics. 1993 Thousand Roads. The group has progressed from a rawer, more traditional black metal sound to a fully orchestrated symphonic metal feel. 1989 Oh Yes I Can. Cradle of Filth, formed in 1991, is a conglomeration of black metal and gothic metal, although their music has been somewhat difficult to classify. 1971 If I Could Only Remember My Name. Nymphetamine Special Edition-(2005)). Mannequin (DVD) - (2003). Babylon AD (So Glad For The Madness) (DVD) - (2003). Live Bait For The Dead (Live) - (2002). Heavy Left Handed & Candid (VHS/DVD) - (2002). Lovecraft & Witch Hearts (Compilation) - (2002). Bitter Suites To Succubi (compilation) - (2001). RareDaemonAeon (Compilation/Covers) - (2001). PanDaemonAeon (VHS/DVD) - (1998). Sodomizing The Virgin Vamps (Total Fucking Darkness demo + live tracks) - (1997). Total Fucking Darkness (Demo) - (1993). The Black Goddess Rises (Demo) - (1992). Orgiastic Pleasures (Demo) - (1992). Invoking the Unclean (Demo) - (1992). A Pungent And Sexual Miasma (split with Malediction) - (1992). Nymphetamine - (2004). Damnation and a Day - (2003). Midian - (2000). From the Cradle to Enslave (EP) - (1999). Cruelty and the Beast - (1998). Dusk and Her Embrace - (1996). V Empire or Dark Fairytales in Phallustein (EP) - (1996). The Principle of Evil Made Flesh - (1994). Mark Newby-Robson-Keyboards. Jeff Acres-Guitars. Jared Demeter-Guitars. Dave Hirschheimer-Drums. Damien Gregori - Keyboards. Les "Lecter" Smith - Keyboards. Benjamin Ryan - Keyboards. Robin Eaglestone - Bass. John Richard - Bass. Nicholas Howard Barker - Drums. Was Sarginson - Drums. Darren White - Drums. Paul Ryan - Guitars. Stuart Anstis - Guitars (1996-2000). Brian Hipp - Guitars. Gian Pyres - Guitars. James McKillboy - Guitars - (2004-). Dave Pybus - Bass - (2002-2005) (ex-Anathema, Dreambreed). Martin Powell - Keyboards - (2000-) (ex-My Dying Bride, ex-Anathema, ex-Cryptal Darkness). Paul Allender - Guitars - (1991-1996, 2000-) (The Blood Divine). Adrian Erlandsson - Drums - (2000-) (ex-At the Gates, ex-The Haunted, Terror). Sarah Jezebel Deva - Female Backing Vocals - (1991-). Dani Filth (Daniel Lloyd Davey) - Vocals - (1991-). The torture room in From the Cradle to Enslave music video is a homage to Terry Gilliam's movie Brazil. One highlight of their career include a show during which a man jumped on stage with an eight-inch carving knife, intending to stab Dani (spoke of briefly on the Nawrdwar interview). Sarah Jezebel Deva, though she has been with the band since the start, has never been considered a band member. His favourite band is The Misfits. He has a long-time girlfriend (Toni) and a daughter (Luna), as well as three cats. Dani Filth's real name is Daniel Lloyd Davey. From the Cradle to Enslave. Cruelty Brought Three Orchids. The Promise of Fever. The Forest Whispers my Name. Nymphetamine. Her Ghost in the Fog. Funeral in Carpathia. Mannequin. Tortured Soul Asylum. The Principle of Evil Made Flesh. Nemesis. Gilded Cunt. Satyriasis (Intro). Time: 1991-. Status: Active. Country: Britain. Genre: symphonic black metal, gothic metal, Vampyric Metal, extreme metal. |