Q: Where can I find an updated version of this FAQ?
This document should be found as HTML at http://hauntedshores.simplenet.com/cof/faq.htm where it will always be in its most up to date form. It may also be found at various mirror sites, but we cannot guarantee that these will be updated at the same times.
Q: How do I make a suggestion for the FAQ?
Write to either of the FAQ creators - Kai (kaiobrien@mail.oocities.com) or Scott (psycho@scotland.net). Any question with an answer not covered by this FAQ and/or raised on the mailing list more than once, may be included in the FAQ, with credit to all who answered it that we know of.
Q: Why "Cradle of Filth"?
Dani thought up the band name during his school years. To the best of our knowledge, it has no deep or hidden meaning, although we presume it relates somehow to the story of baby Jesus and is thus somewhat appropriate.
Q: Who played what, when?
The different line-ups were/are as follows:
Invoking the Unclean - Dani Davey (Vocals), Paul Ryan (Guitar), John Richard (Bass) and Darren (Drums).

Orgiastic Pleasures - Dani Davey (Vocals), Paul Ryan (Guitar), Robin Eaglestone (Guitar), John Richard (Bass) and Darren (Drums).

Total Fucking Darkness - Dani Davey (Vocals), Paul Ryan (Guitar), Paul Allender (Guitar), Robin Eaglestone (Bass), Benjamin Ryan (Keyboard) and Darren (Drums).

The Principle of Evil - Dani Davey (Vocals), Paul Ryan (Guitar), Paul Allender (Guitar), Robin Eaglestone (Bass), Benjamin Ryan (Keyboard) and Nicholas Barker (Drums).

Vempire or Dark Faerytales - Dani Davey (Vocals), Stuart Anstis (Guitar), Jared Demeter (Guitar), Robin Eaglestone (Bass), Damien Gregori (Keyboard) and Nicholas Barker (Drums).

Dusk And Her Embrace - Dani Davey (Vocals), Stuart Anstis (Guitar), Gian Pyres (Guitar), Robin Eaglestone (Bass), Damien Gregori (Keyboard), Nicholas Barker (Drums).

Cruelty And The Beast - Dani Davey (Vocals), Stuart Anstis (Guitar), Gian Pyres (Guitar), Robin Eaglestone (Bass), Les Smith (Keyboard), Nicholas Barker (Drums).

Q: Why so many line-up changes?
The sad fact is, Cradle of Filth is an inherently unlucky band. John left for university, the Ryan brothers were thrown out due to personal differences, Paul Allender followed the Ryan brothers, and Damien left due to musical differences.
Q: Whatever happened to members past, then?
John formed Hecate Enthroned, a band similar in sound to Cradle of Filth. The Ryan brothers and Paul Allender joined The Blood Divine.
Q: Are current members involved in any other projects?
Yes, Robin is involved in December Moon, along with Was. This two-man project has released one album entitled Source of Origin on which Robin does vocals and plays guitars, bass and keyboards.
Q: What was their problem with Cacophonous anyway?
A: According to Gian, "there were several disagreements between the band and the label, a few of which involved disputes over money." Dani claims the band were never paid anything for TPoEMF despite it selling some 30,000 to 32,000 copies.
Q: I want to know more about the female vocalist(s), the dancers and the models on covers and in booklets.
Little is known about the female vocalists or models, but you can view a picture of one at a concert in Odense, Denmark in 1997. Also, the dancer at the Milwaukee Metalfest, Paeton Bell, has a webpage at http://members.aol.com/dusketernl.
Q: Who sings on 'A Dream of Wolves in the Snow'?
Darren White, who was vocalist for Doom Metal band Anathema at the time. He has since been thrown out of that band and has joined The Blood Divine on vocals, of course.
Q: Who evokes the "Rallying War Speech" at the end of the song 'Haunted Shores'?
Cronos, of Black Metal band Venom. "Venom have always been a top band in my book," says Nick. "When Cronos came down and did guest vocals on 'Dusk...' we were like starry-eyed little kids."
Q: Who else has worked with them in the past?
Ingrid Pitt, on vocals. Soror Proselenos, on cello. And Frater Nihil, writer of TPoEMF bonus track 'Imperium Tenebraum'. He is the head priest of the Order of the Absu, an offshoot of the Church of Satan. He's also the founder of Cacophonous Records, which is why all the CDs have Nihil-x CD printed on them.
Q: Who are the band's musical influences?
Bathory, Celtic Frost, Mercyful Fate, Slayer, Venom, etc.
Q: What equipment does the band use?
Stuart uses a B.C. Rich - Warlock, Gian uses a B.C. Rich - Mockingbird, Robin uses a B.C. Rich - Wave Bass. All use Marshall JCM 900 Amps. Lecter uses top of the range Kurzweil keyboards, Nick uses Pearl Drums and Zildjian Cymbals.
Q: Help! I can't find any CoF releases!
You're just not looking hard enough.
Q: Where can I find demo or rehearsal tapes?
Original copies, we imagine, would be virtually impossible to get hold of, but dubbed copies are relatively widespread. Their 1993 demo can be heard on the Sodomizing the Virgin Vamps bootleg CD, available through Displeased Records as of this writing.
Q: Is it true 'TPoEMF' was released on vinyl before signing with Cacophonous? If so, whereabouts can I get it?
Yes, minus one track. As far as we know, it isn't available anywhere, although Cacophonous' black heavy vinyl (and strictly limited coloured vinyl) copies are available from selected independent stores & mail order from Cacophonous only (231 Portobello Road, London W11 1LT, England).
Q: Is 'VoDFiP' an album or an EP?
It's an extra long EP, not a short album. Cacophonous called it an album because albums sell better.
Q: If 'DaHE' was recorded before leaving Cacophonous, why was there any need to record it all over again?
It was recorded with the old line-up of Dani, Paul R, Paul A, Ben, Rob and Nick, but the new line-up polished it up and blessed it with a far superior production. With the exceptions of 'Humana Inspired To Nightmare' and 'Malice Through The Looking Glass', all material on DaHE is essentially the work of the old line-up.
Q: I have the normal version of 'DaHE' but it still has NS '96 on it, unlisted and without lyrics. What's going on?
It's supposed to be exclusive to the digipak edition, yet somehow it's made an appearance on some Australian copies.
Q: I have the coffin box edition of 'DaHE' and it has NS '96 alongside the other bonus tracks. What's going on?
This occurence is exclusive to Australian copies, it would seem.
Q: I thought the coffin box edition of DaHE was limited to 10,000 copies, but it's available almost everywhere I go!
Questionable as it may be, MFN insist that the coffin box is limited to only 10,000 copies around the world.
Q: So, what inspires Dani to write this stuff?
He's very much influenced by 19th century literature written in England. Cruelty And The Beast draws influence from books about Elizabeth Bathory, particularly "The Bloody Countess".
Q: In the lyrics, what exactly does xx and xx refer to?
Again, this bit's being worked on. Come back soon!
Q: In the booklets, some lyrical content is missing. What?
We've tried our best to work some of the missing parts out, although we don't provide any guarantees of their accuracy.
'To Eve The Art Of Witchcraft' (Now dream...)

"I am the gentle stream
that trickles through the summer glades
of ever green peace
Therefore we will drink my sleepand dream

I am the bleeding sky,
the snatching wind of war
blowing through the savage garden
My crown is fire, the erotic sinews of lust
like strings to be pulled, and cut

I will make my puppets dance
The men will bow down before me
to take my flesh as lucid thoughts
of dark, unbridled lust

I am all these things and more
Thus I await you, nemesis of restraint
The code of life, and the bride of evil itself."

'A Dream Of Wolves In The Snow' (Intro)

"Ah, listen to Them
The Children of the Night
What sweet music They make."

'Imperium Tenebrarum'

"Swords, in hands, at the bloody fields of history
We rend, our blades, through dogma and humility
Carve the future, according to our will
Set worlds ablaze, with our seething fire
Let you all acknowledge, that we are here
As masters to rule, this flaming humanity
Our beings formed, in rage and defiance
With strength to trample, the weak and the foolish
And so we march, with burning brants
Temples of flame, on our path to glory."

'Queen Of Winter, Throned' (Intro)

"Even the man who is pure in heart
And speaks in prayer by night
May become a wolf when the wolf's bane blooms
And the winter moon is bright."

'Malice Through The Looking Glass' (Outro)

"Encroaching evening skies
Die with such tragedy
And those interred in cold graves
Dwell on pleasures to be
In deep hysteria
Where our legend still breathes
Through sweet death and thereafter
Sweeping nightmares.... shalt feed."

'Haunted Shores' (Outro)

"I have awoken from the past
Glenfully with the shadows over England's bitter skies
I prize mine wounds in a soil sweated drink
Remember me as king when I cradle hell to stars
Like lovers in my arms, nestled vipers to my breast
Venom forces workthius arts of devil's and priestess
Thus I shall rule anew through the sinews of a song
Played upon a storm
By the ghosts of Avalon
And all in league will bow to me, from death they shall ascend
To whisper weals of war to stir the dark one in men
The principle black metal masterplan."

'Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids' (Intro)

"Hear me now.
All crimes should be treasured
If they bring thee pleasure somehow."

Q: What is the email address of Cradle of Filth?
Alas, the band cannot be reached via e-mail.
Q: What is the email address of Music For Nations?
Try mfn@music-for-nations.co.uk
Q: Help! What do all these abbreviations mean?

TPoEMF = The Principle of Evil Made Flesh
VoDFiP = Vempire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein
DaHE = Dusk... And Her Embrace
CatB = Cruelty And The Beast