Cradle Of Filth former guitarist Stuart Anstis has passed away

Former guitarist, Stuart Anstis, of the extreme gothic metal band Cradle Of Filth has passed away. Stuart's wife, Antoinette Anstis, posted a message via Stuart's Facebook page confirming his passing.

Richard Shaw, who was a member of Cradle of Filth from 2014 until earlier this year, paid tribute to the rocker.

Anstis penned several of the band's most acclaimed albums during his tenure, including 1996's Dusk and Her Embrace as well as V Empire, or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein.

Updated: Dani Filth also just posted a tribute to the former guitarist via his Instagram as well.

It is with a deeply saddened heart that I have heard of the passing of my former guitarist Stuart Anstis at 48.

Stuart -despite our eventual differences- was an amazingly talented guitarist who brought a real sense of magick to everything he wrote in Cradle Of Filth.

For a long time he and I were bestest of friends living in a small village here in Suffolk and despite that relationship eventually changing, it did nothing to diminish the fan's appreciation of his creative flair and talent right up to the present day.

'Vempire', "Dusk… and Her Embrace' (though written mostly by former members, Stuart played all the guitars on this album), 'Cruelty And The Beast' and 'From the Cradle To Enslave' would have been completely different creatures if it were not for the depth of his astute and deliciously dark musicianship.

It truly is with a heavy sense of loss that we (and extreme music in general) bid farewell to Stuart.

May sombre flights of ravens wing you to your grave mate.

Rest In Phallustein.



Dani Filth, Midian, 2022 e.h.