Dani Filth Is ‘Amused’ by the Bootleg Cradle of Filth Merchandise He’s Found in Mexico

Just a year after releasing their critically lauded 'Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa' album, British metal heroes Cradle of Filth are back with 'Evermore Darkly...'

The CD/DVD package includes new tracks & rarities, with a lengthy on-the-road documentary and ten songs filmed live at this year's Graspop metal meet, as well as the video for 'Lilith Immaculate.' Anyone who has followed Cradle of Filth throughout their 20-year career knows that the group boasts one of the most loyal and collector-crazed fanbases in the metal world today. With all of its bonus features, 'Evermore Darkly...' not only serves their hardcore followers, it's also a great primer for newcomers to Cradle of Filth's unique take on black and trad metal.

With so many eye-catching album and singles sleeves in their discography, plus their worldwide army of fans, Noisecreep asked Cradle of Filth founder and vocalist Dani Filth his thoughts on people bootlegging their merchandise.

"In Mexico there are these areas within certain cities that have these shantytowns of bootleggers selling all kind of metal and rock merchandise. I suppose it's legal to bootleg stuff there. I always send Cradle of Filth road crew members out there, incognito, to find our stuff in those places [laughter]. They find the strangest things in those places. I'm amused by it, really. I've seen Cradle of Filth flower vases and things you wouldn't believe," Dani tells Noisecreep.

Although many of his fellow musicians might have an issue with their band's merchandise being sold without any regard to copyright and licensing laws, Filth seems at peace with it. "Even though we have nothing to do with these Cradle of Filth collectable pieces, our fans still want them. I guess it's like KISS. That band will throw their logo on anything and people want it. I'm talking about even putting the band name on soccer goal posts. I think it's hilarious. The Mexican Cradle of Filth fans are great."

Dani then reveals the one bone he does have to pick when it comes to the Mexican bootleggers.

"When we were doing our 'Midian' album [2000], the label sent out some journalists to hang out with us and listen to the record. Anyway, we had a heavy night with some of them. In the morning, a new group of journalists came in and one of the first photos they took of me ended up on the cover of a French metal magazine. I literally just woke up when they snapped the photo and my hair looks like a nest – it's terrible [laughter]. So anyway, the f---ing thing ended up becoming the front of one of those bootleg shirts that everyone seemed to have in Mexico. I couldn't escape it."

Cradle of Filth's 'Evermore Darkly...' is out now via Nuclear Blast.