Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth addressed criticism about the band’s recent mainstream ventures in a new interview with Blabbermouth. The discussion highlighted their partnership with luxury fashion house Vetements and a potential Ed Sheeran project.
“To be honest, if you’re going to label us, we’re an extreme metal band. At times, we hold extreme viewpoints,” Filth stated. “When I say ‘extreme,’ I don’t mean it relates to politics and racism. We’ve dabbled with the occult; we’ve done the Jesus shirt. We’re not saints, let’s put it that way, by any stretch of the imagination.”
“From the very beginning, I’ve had this vision that if people can embrace films like ‘Nosferatu’, ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’, or the ‘Alien’ franchise — horror movies that millions enjoy — there’s no reason why the majority who think music ends with Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, because that’s all they’re force-fed, can’t open up,” he explained. “I’m talking about the folks who work in delis or on construction sites—they have the radio on, and that’s all they hear.”
“If they heard some of the things that other bands have done, like Dying Fetus or even Metallica, who are entry-level to metal, they might hear it and think, ‘F*cking hell. This is my jam.’ That’s what happened to me when I was a kid. When I heard Slayer in ’85, that was it. I was hooked,” Filth stated.
“Then there were Venom, Mercyful Fate, Maiden, Ozzy. That’s how I see music. Sure, you can break into the mainstream. More recently, we had a clothing capsule with Vetements, a massive fashion house. They’re launching a whole range of Cradle stuff. Some people are like, ‘Isn’t that a sell-out?’ I’m like, ‘F*ck off. It’s completely the opposite,'” he added.
“It’s not a sell-out at all. It’s something no one else has done. So what? At the end of the day, we’re still a black metal band. When people create demons, they can’t expect them to be neatly locked up in a box with a ribbon on it,” he concluded. “They think, ‘Oh my god. You can’t do that. Oh no. You can’t do that. You can’t sell records. You can’t go on the road and do this. You can’t collaborate with a fashion brand.’ We’re like, ‘F*ck off. We’re a black metal band. We do what we want. Don’t complain when we live by our own rules.”
The band’s ventures into fashion and mainstream collaborations mark a significant evolution in their three-decade journey. These moves represent a new chapter in their artistic expression and brand expansion.
Vetements Spring/Summer Collection
Highsnobiety revealed details about Cradle of Filth’s collaboration with Vetements in their Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The fashion house transformed the band’s imagery into unconventional dress designs and statement pieces.
The collection merges extreme metal aesthetics with high fashion. This bold approach challenges traditional boundaries between underground music culture and mainstream fashion.
Expanding Fashion Partnerships
Cradle of Filth established a strong presence in alternative fashion through their work with Drop Dead, the clothing brand owned by Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes.
This strategic partnership connects them with brands that respect their musical heritage. It also helps them reach new audiences while maintaining their artistic integrity.
Breaking Genre Boundaries
SSENSE documented how Vetements incorporated Cradle of Filth’s aesthetic into their designs. This move reflects a growing trend of luxury fashion houses embracing metal culture.
The collaboration creates a unique intersection between extreme metal and high fashion. This fusion demonstrates the continuing evolution of genre boundaries in contemporary culture.
