Interview: Dani Filth Talks Proposing to His Fiancé, Satanic Rituals, and More at Download ’25

If you haven’t already read our Download Festival day two review, firstly, why the hell not? Secondly, this will make a bit more sense if you do.

On Saturday, Cradle of Filth put on an obliterating show at Download Festival’s Dogtooth stage. From the intense bursts of pyro scarring half the band members, to frontman Dani Filth’s demonic screams. It was quite the show.

On Sunday, I spent 10 minutes with Filth to chat about all things metal proposals, having pyro on such a tiny, enclosed stage. Crazy fans, and a little more.

So, can we talk about the obvious? During your show on Friday night, you proposed to your partner! Was this out of complete spontaneity, or was it planned?

It’s a little bit of both. Nobody knew about it. I forgot to tell the band, and my family, including my mum, who was here. So, I quickly had to let them know, as they were watching from the side of the stage as well.

I already had the ring. It got closer to the end of doing a load of summer festivals, and I thought, ‘you know what, I’m going to kick myself if I don’t do it at such a prestigious event.’ But, then it’s also like, ‘fuck, this could go horribly wrong.’ As in, she could say no, or the audience could go, ‘play another song, get on with it.’

But fortuitously, it went very well.

Once you finished your set, did you guys talk about it? What was her response?

We talked about almost being burnt to death by the fire. The pyro turned up 10 minutes before we went on, which normally is a no-go, but we were like ‘fuck no, we want this.’ But [they] hadn’t mapped out any of the safety areas. It’s supposed to be 5 feet [away], but it was about a foot. I cinched my eyebrows at one point. I was like, ‘This is great, I love it, but I might die.’ So, that was a little bit of a worry, and that’s what we talked about when we got back.

You also played a DJ set at The Den. How did that differ from your Cradle of Filth set? When you play solo and band stuff, how do you mentally switch off to prepare for the other thing?

I have no idea. Two minutes before, I had no idea what I was doing; I just got into it. I think you get to a point in life where you think, ‘you know what, who cares? Just go for it.’ I didn’t plan anything other than a list of songs. Not even an order. [Lais] was awesome, she really helped me out. It was great fun, I really got into it. I felt like I was in Ibiza.

You recently announced your Screaming of the Americas tour. Are there any specific dates or venues you’re excited to bring “the hounds of hell” to? 

I can’t remember. There’s a couple in Brazil, because my partner and I went on holiday there in the jungle last year. She broke her leg in the middle of the jungle… It was mental. [Other than that, it was] an amazing experience. I remember thinking, ‘we’ve got so many fans here, we’ve got to come back,’ so we’ve put in some more obscure shows. Mexico is on that list as well, and I love it there, for the food!

You’ve been super busy for your Summoned In Summer tour already. You’ve played some huge shows in Budapest, Nova Rock Festival, etc. I think it goes without saying, but COF fans can be pretty wild. Your Filthlings, as you call them. Has there been a standout moment from your Filthlings on tour yet, where you’ve really thought, god, I love these people?

Just generally, all around. It’s been absolutely scorching; it was about 40 degrees at Novarock, and to see people brave that heat. Also, some of the other, frankly quite dodgy bands to come and see us at a festival is an amazing feeling. You get [to the festival] and feel compartmentalised. There are a lot of other things happening.

At Download, it’s a rock festival. You’ve got to give it that acknowledgement, it’s not just metal, and sometimes that’s cool. You know, everyone went mad for the Vengaboys. You have to realise that you’re part of the bigger puzzle. You’re a big piece in it, – a cog in the wheel. You often wonder, ‘Are there going to be many people? Who’s going to want to see Cradle when they might want to see Sleep Token or whatever?’

I was very, very pleased with [Friday night’s] turnout, with a full tent.

Even more than full! People were spilling out of it! Not everyone could fit.

Yeah, with that in mind, it’s amazing when you play a festival and you’re still getting this level of support. Especially when you’ve just been doing off shows and selling them out. Then suddenly you’re at a place full of Vengaboys.

When you got onto the stage, you all looked great. How many hours does it take to look like the COF tribe? Do you have any tips or hacks you’ve learnt over the years in getting prepped?

The rest of them, I don’t know. Maybe 10 minutes…

You’re joking?

No, I’m just being facetious. I always have three hours beforehand. Because I want to get ready. I always have these horrible dreams of going on stage, and I can’t find my boots. Or I’m in my underpants. You know, so I never want that to happen in real life.

I always get ready, chill out, listen to music, hang out with the band, and have a laugh. I do what I can to make it feel like we’re not doing anything, until the adrenaline kicks in. So, three hours is my safety point.

I have done it in 10 minutes, though.

That’s absolutely crazy. You’re doing it yourself, in that time as well?

Sometimes we have people come along to do it. In America, we have someone in every city. We’ve had a famous horror make-up artist do it; Tom Savini. We have lots of people come out, but I actually prefer doing it myself, to be honest.

Lastly. Fun fact, when I was searching COF, one of the top automated responses was ‘Are COF satanic’ – touching upon that, can you tell me the most satanic thing COF has ever done?

Back in the day, we were taking some interesting photos with members of a cult group. We went to a place called Clock Hill in Bedfordshire, which is supposedly a deconsecrated church that Satanists had burned to the ground or whatever.

So we went there and did this massive photo shoot in the middle of the night with flaming torches and blood. We had a woman on the altar, too. Even though it was in the middle of the night, the local town turned up, and it was like a proper witch burning. We just used it as a location. I don’t think it’s the most satanic thing we’ve done. I guess the Jesus shirt would be that. We would probably consider that.

But, I think the local townspeople really thought we were about to finish the job, which was nothing of the sort, of course. But we literally got chased out with pitchforks.

Stop it. That feels pretty Satanic to me, I’ll take it.

It’s very witchy, isn’t it?

Cradle of Filth’s 14th studio album, The Screaming of The Valkyries, is out now on all streaming platforms.