Cradle of Filth

Biography
Cradle of Filth are an extreme metal band from Suffolk, England, formed in 1991. They have been embraced and disowned with equal fervour by various metal communities, and their particular subgenre has provoked a great deal of discussion.[1]

The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily influenced by gothic literature, poetry, mythology and horror films. The band has successfully broken free from its original niche by courting mainstream publicity (often to the chagrin of its early fanbase), and this increased accessibility has brought coverage by the likes of Kerrang! and MTV, frequent main stage appearances at major festivals such as Ozzfest, Download and even the mainstream Sziget Festival, and in turn a more "commercial" image. They have sometimes been perceived as Satanic by casual observers, although their outright lyrical references to Satanism are few and far between, and use of Satanic imagery has arguably always had more to do with the shock value than any seriously-held beliefs. According to Metal Hammer magazine, they are the most successful British metal band since Iron Maiden.

Cradle of Filth was formed in Suffolk, England in 1991. The band's original members consisted of vocalist Dani Filth, guitarist Paul Ryan, keyboardist Ben Ryan (Paul's brother), bassist John Richard and drummer Darren White. With this line-up, Cradle of Filth recorded a demo in 1992, entitled Invoking the Unclean. Soon after, they recorded their second demo, Orgiastic Pleasures Foul with new guitarist Robin Eaglestone (aka. Robin Graves). He left the band shortly afterwards, but following the departure of John Richard, Eaglestone returned to take his place as bassist. Guitarist Paul Allender joined the band at the same time. Following these changes, another demo was recorded, entitled Total Fucking Darkness. White left the band soon after, paving the way for the entry of drummer Nicholas Barker.

Cradle of Filth signed with Cacophonous Records in 1994, releasing their debut, The Principle of Evil Made Flesh. A series of differences between band members arose, and there were also problems between the band and the label. Their second work, the EP Vempire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein, issued in 1996, saw further changes in the line-up. The Ryan brothers left, and Stuart Anstis (guitarist) and Damien Gregori (keyboardist) joined, and Paul Allender was replaced by Jared Demeter. While writing material for a new album, the band negotiated their departure from Cacophonus Records, and in November 1996, signed with European label Music for Nations. Later that year, they released Dusk... and Her Embrace, an album that substantially expanded the group's growing cult following.

Their next album was Cruelty and the Beast, released in 1998. Two years later the group returned with From the Cradle to Enslave, an EP that featured new drummer Adrian Erlandsson (formerly of Sweden's At the Gates and The Haunted), as Barker had departed to join Dimmu Borgir. The band's several lineup changes continued apace as Paul Allender rejoined the group and Martin Powell (ex-Anathema and My Dying Bride) replaced Smith on keyboards for the full-length album Midian, Cradle's last for Music For Nations, which was appropriately released on Hallowe'en 2000. Bitter Suites to Succubi was released on the band's own Abracadaver label in the UK and Spitfire Records in the US in 2001. The group signed to Sony for one album in 2003, adding a choir and orchestra for Damnation and a Day, and moved to Roadrunner Records (where they remain) for 2004's Nymphetamine, followed by the seventh full-length Thornography in 2006, and Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder in 2008.


Members
* Dani Filth – lead vocals (1991–present)
* Paul Allender – lead guitar (1994–1996, 2000–present)
* Charles Hedger – session/live guitar (2005–present)
* Dave Pybus – bass guitar (2002–present)
* Martin Marthus Skaroupka – drums, percussion (2006–present)
* Sarah Jezebel Deva – session/live backing vocals (1996–present)
* Rosie Smith – session/live keyboards (2006–present)

Discography
1994 The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
* Released: 24 February 1994
* Label: Cacophonous (NIHIL 1CD)
1996 Dusk... and Her Embrace
* Released: 28 August 1996
* Label: Music for Nations (CDMFN 208)
1998 Cruelty and the Beast
* Released: 27 April 1998
* Label: Music for Nations (CDMFN 242)
2000 Midian
* Released: 30 October 2000
* Label: Music for Nations (CDMFN 666)
2003 Damnation and a Day
* Released: 10 March 2003
* Label: Sony (510963-2)
* Format: CD, LP
2004 Nymphetamine
* Released: 27 September 2004
* Label: Roadrunner (RR 8282-2)
2006 Thornography

* Released: 17 October 2006
* Label: Roadrunner (RR 8113-2)
2008 Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder
* Released: 28 October 2008
* Label: Roadrunner (RR 7923-2)