Interview conducted on 4/12/98

Pictures by Mike

(By now) Cradle of Filth shouldn't need any introductions. I was given the chance to meet them and see them at the 1997 Milwaukee Metal Fest, and I must say it was an interesting experience. I was then able to catch them in Chicago (thanks Paula) during their small U.S. tour in support of "Cruelty and the Beast." The two times I saw them and met them, they are/were some of the nicest fellows and some of the most down to earth individuals you will ever meet. This was one of the first interviews I conducted for this issue, so you may notice that I didn’t get to ask Dani some of the other questions that I later came up with, which sucks, but oh well.

The Outcast: Are you doing a lot of interviews today?

Dani: Yeah.

The Outcast: Are you hung over or drunk today?

Dani: No, not this time. If you would have caught me yesterday, I would have said yes.

The Outcast: Well, let’s go back to last years Milwaukee Metal Fest., how do you think that went for Cradle?

Dani: It was cool you know? We expected one thing and we got twice that. Everybody knows that the sound there is shit though.

The Outcast: You and Venom are the only two bands who actually got a sound check right?

Dani: Um, kind of. I don’t think...I can’t remember.

The Outcast: I remember you going out on the microphone and saying that it sounded like shit, and then you went back and you did something because it sounded a lot better than the other bands.

Dani: Out front we have a good sound guy, but you have to... the monitors up front usually sound like mush.

The Outcast: I was up front when you guys pulled up in front of the Ambassador Hotel. What was your first thought when that crazy fan came up and started hugging you like he had found his lost father?

Dani: I don’t know. I didn’t know what to expect from America. That was the guy with the "Principal of Evil Made Flesh" full back tattoo, which was pretty cool.

The Outcast: You’ve toured with Emperor in the past right?

Dani: That’s right.

The Outcast: A lot of people still call you guys black metal, and I would have to disagree with that statement, maybe you have some of the same characteristics in some aspects, but...

Dani: Black metal is obviously about attitude and the association with the darker, etc..., and for that reason I would consider a band like Danzig a black metal band. Not only bands that come from the Nordic region, etc...

The Outcast: Speaking of tours, I heard that Cradle of Filth and H. Enthroned were going on tour and that it was going to be called The Cradle Falls down tour, what’s up with that??

Dani: (Surprised to hear such a comment and became confused) Um...

The Outcast: I’m just messing with you. (Laughter)

Dani: There’s a million fucking rumors going around, it wouldn’t surprise me. Their singer used to be our bass player.

The Outcast: Why do you think that there are so many bands/people that are either jealous of Cradle of Filth, or flat out try to copy your sound?

Dani: I don’t know, I really haven’t stood around and thought about it. Maybe because we’ve done quite a bit of press over in Europe. We did well over in Finland, Germany, France, etc... and I suppose that does irritate a lot of people whose mind set stays that black metal has to stay underground. They don’t realize that by what we’re doing, not only are we happy fulfilling our goals that we would like, but we’re also increasing the chances of this music to be taken seriously. If we can get big, then people’s attention will go on to other bands, and maybe they don’t want that, maybe they just want an exclusive club, tough, they can’t have that.

The Outcast: Have you ever heard of Anal Blast?

Dani: That’s the one with Cradle of Filth’s logo right?

The Outcast: Yeah.

Dani: I thought it was funny. It was Anal of Blast.

The Outcast: Do you guys know each other, or did it make you guys mad that they did that?

Dani: No, I’m not offended at all. I thought it was quite smart. I don’t know why on earth they would do that, I can’t see the benefit of doing that, but I did find it very humorous.

The Outcast: I don’t know how it is over in Europe, but here in the U.S., people tend to have a black metal vs. death attitude. Why do you think people have this attitude?

Dani: I don’t know, some people just have nothing better to do. We don’t limit ourselves to play with just black metal bands, because I would consider that to be a bit of a bore. If we come to America, we’d like to play with Usurper, essentially to these ears, they play traditional death metal. If somebody told me that I couldn’t listen to this or that, you know, what the fuck? If someone said to someone that they can’t listen to Cradle of Filth because they usually wear a Machine Head shirt, what the fuck? That’s a form of censorship. Those kinds of people are so narrow-minded, it makes me sick.

The Outcast: Are you familiar with Christian Death?

Dani: Yeah.

The Outcast: Are you familiar with Eva O?

Dani: Um...remind me.

The Outcast: Well, she used to be in Christian Death a long time ago. I don’t know if you’ve heard about her, but she just became a Christian. Why do you think people go from one extreme to another? From a Satanist to a Christian and vise-versa?

Dani: I think because everybody is seeking answers. Everybody on the planet is seeking an answer. Whether it is on the afterlife, why we’re here, the meaning of sexuality, the true meaning of evil, people are searching for something. That’s why you have people experimenting with the occult, that’s why you have cult groups and religious doctrine. I don’t know though, you might just have to ask those kinds of people. People always claim to find God and not everybody’s interpretation of God is the same. My interpretation of God is almost of a satanic nature I suppose. As long as it doesn’t oppress other people, fuck em.

The Outcast: So what is evil to you?

Dani: I’d say evil in itself, there is nothing that is truly evil on the planet. There is not one individual who is true evil, because the concept of true evil I suppose is chaos. I suppose true evil is pure, as pure as morality. If it’s pure evil, it’s completely untainted by anything else.

The Outcast: You’re walking down the street and a Christian walks up to you and hands you a flyer that reads: "Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart?", and begins to talk to you about his beliefs.

A) Do you calmly tell him sorry but you have different beliefs and begin to talk about each others beliefs over a nice hot cup of coco?
B) Walk away and say nothing.
C) Tell him to fuck off and die.

Dani: Um, since I’m walking down the street, I probably have a purpose why I was doing that, so I would probably tell him to fuck off and die, just because I’ve heard it all before, and I don’t want to hear it again.

The Outcast: So have you or anyone else in the band had any conversations with Christians about the band or anything else?

Dani: The last time I was here, I believe I went on the air with some evangelist or someone with that york, and had an hour ½ discussion, I didn’t shout, he didn’t shout, and we both recognized our own opinions. It must have been good listening; I don’t know I never heard it again. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion; just don’t force it to others who aren’t interested.

The Outcast: So what do you think will happen after you die?

Dani: Nobody can answer that you know? I want my ashes scattered after I die so I can become a free spirit. I love nature, and hug trees. I don’t believe there can be a heaven and a hell because what will tip the scale? What would tip the scale between one and the other (Jesus Christ!! - Mike)? Let’s just say that one person had done just as many good acts in their life as they had evil acts, but just before they died they did something so...they stole a pack of cookies. So they were sent to eternal damnation, what a load of shit you know?

The Outcast: If you could commit murder and get away with it, would you do it?

Dani: (Without hesitation) Oh, for sure. If I could get away with it and I knew I wouldn’t be found out, yeah, I’d be doing it every fucking day.

The Outcast: What’s your belief on rape?

Dani: I think it’s disgusting (and murder isn't? - Mike - 2006).

The Outcast: So what are your main philosophies in life?

Dani: That’s a bit of an in depth question. For the band, "Do what thou will, shall be the whole of the law."

The Outcast: What about drugs?

Dani: Why, do you got some? (Laughter) Well, there good if you use them in moderation. I must admit that I do use them, recreational ones, but it’s not an addiction, well, they are very addictive, but I use them in moderation. It’s like anything; you can’t do too much of one thing.

The Outcast: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change and why?

Dani: I think I would definitely change my temper. I have a very short temper. My attention span is also very bad. I either get too much into one thing that I forget about everything else.

The Outcast: What are some of your favorite movies?

Dani: "The Pit and the Pendulum", "Dracula, the Prince of Darkness".

The Outcast: Have you ever seen "Evil Dead 2"

Dani: Of course I have.

The Outcast: What do you think about Bruce Campbell? Do you think he is a God?

Dani: Bruce C. is excellent! I don’t think he’s a God, but I like him a lot.

The Outcast: Have you ever practiced Vampirism?

Dani: Several times yeah.

The Outcast: Does it ever frighten you with AIDS and everything else that is out there?

Dani: Yeah, but it was with my girlfriend, so...

The Outcast: What do the models think about your covers and the other pictures you guys have? Are you guys there during the shootings?

Dani: I’m there, because I direct the shots. They know what’s going to happen before they go.

The Outcast: So no one has ever freaked out or anything?

Dani: The girl from "Dead Girls Don’t Say No" T-shirt was a top model; I think she thought she was going to be in a snuff film or something because we tied her to a chair.

The Outcast: During your live performances, there are female dancers on stage. Do you think it takes away from your show?

Dani: That’s another misconception. In Europe it’s a lot different than in other countries. It can only add to the mood of our show. But anyway, I’m going to have to apologize and cut this short, I’m due to do another interview.

The Outcast: Alright then, thanks for the time and the pleasure, any closing words?

Dani: Just thanks to all the people who have supported us and you will be spared when Godzilla comes and destroys New York.

The Outcast: Well, see ya.

Dani: Cheerio.