British black metal band Cradle of Filth was formed in 1991, originally comprising vocalist Dani Davey,
guitarist Paul Ryan, his keyboardist brother Benjamin, bassist John Richard and drummer Darren.
After recording a demo dubbed Invoking the Unclean a year later, the group recruited guitarist Robin Eaglestone,
who quit soon after recording a second demo, Orgiastic Pleasures ; however, when Richard exited the band a short time later, Eaglestone stepped
back in to assume bass duties, opening the door for guitarist Paul Allender.
Following a third demo, Total Fucking Darkness, Cradle of Filth -- now with new drummer Nicholas Barker -- signed with the Cacophonous label, issuing their proper debut
The Principle of Evil Made Flesh in mid-1994. The lineup changes continued when the Ryan brothers
both departed to form the Blood Divine (and Allender left as well), making room for guitarists Stuart Antsis and Jared Demeter and keyboardist Damien Gregori to debut on
the 1996 mini-LP Vempire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein.
For the full-length Dusk and Her Embrace later that same year, Gian Pyres took Demeter's spot, and afterwards, Gregori was replaced by keyboardist Les Smith; at any rate,
the album substantially expanded the group's growing cult
following. Cradle of Filth's next effort, Cruelty and the Beast,
appeared in 1998, amidst the group's steadily growing reputation for elaborate Alice Cooper/Marilyn Manson-style concert theatrics. 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 dizzying 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 Midian, which was appropriately released on Halloween 2000. 2001 brought Bitter Suites to Succubi,
which was followed by Lovecraft & Witch Hearts and Live Bait for the Dead in 2002.
(Courtesy of: Rollingstone.com)
Complete list of members:
Dani Filth- vocals
Dave Pybus- Bass
Gian Piras- guitar
Martin Powell- keyboard
Paul- guitar
Adrian Erlandsson- drums
Sarah Jezebel Deva- backing vocals
