Cradle of Filth: “We got blown over by the KISS helicopter. When it landed the sheer force blew us against the fence!”

This weekend Download Festival will once again take over Castle Donington, bringing together some of the biggest names in rock and metal for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.

Known as the UK’s premier festival for alternative music, Download Festival has built a legacy over two decades, attracting tens of thousands of fans from across the world. With its diverse lineup spanning multiple stages, it continues to serve as a key event on the global festival calendar. Among the highlights of this year’s lineup is Cradle of Filth, who will be headlining the Dogtooth Stage on Saturday evening. The band’s return to Download is a testament to their enduring popularity, and their performance at this year’s festival is sure to be a highlight of the weekend.

In our latest Cover Story, vocalist Dani Filth looked back over some of his favourite memories of Download Festival and Castle Donington, why it is so important for British rock and metal and what fans can expect from not only their headline set but also the weekend as a whole.

When did you first become aware of Castle Donington and what was then Monsters of Rock?

“Kerrang Magazine. Kerrang were were all about it and also Bad News. I love the Bad News Documentary. They got to play with Scorpions and Ozzy. I can’t remember who else was on it. Tommy Vance introduces them and I remember they get absolutely bottled. Remember when you used to go to like market stalls of the guy selling all the live tapes and he’d always play them on the little box to show you what quality was like. My friend bought the Bad News one that had the whole gig on there and we were just laughing about ‘Vampire Spunk Merchants from Hell’.”

Do you remember your first time going as a fan?

“I didn’t actually go until I think ’96. We were recording Dusk and Her Embrace in Birmingham. We got invited along courtesy of Music for Nations and just hung out for the day then went to the aftershow party in Birmingham as well.

It was such a day and such an event that I actually woke up on a roundabout on the Monday morning. There was a roundabout that went out towards where our hotel was where we were staying whilst recording that album. I just woke up thinking, ‘What the fuck?’ while people walked into work with briefcases and stuff.”

“Me and my ex-drummer both got blown over by the KISS helicopter arriving. It landed next to us on the the track. The sheer down force when it landed blew both of us against the fence…”

What advice would you give someone going this year as a fan for the first time?

“Well, I’ve never camped, I would hate it. I did it back in the day when I was a kid. I used to go to Reading and camp. I’ve been to Download when the weather has been less than hospitable. In particular we took to the stage and an absolute tornado of a storm appeared. I just remember the mud being ridiculous at that point. A couple of years ago, my friend went and said it was like Drownload.

So be wary of that, check the weather report if it’s nice. I’ve been to Download Festival when it’s been so hot I’ve got bloody sunstroke just walking from backstage to the tour bus so be very mindful of the weather.”

What do you remember about the first time you performed at Download and was it special walking on stage?

“We were very high up the bill. I just remember it being a monumental occasion. Really, really cool. One of the times we played on the main stage my daughter came out and introduced us. That was the second time I think that was because she was hanging out with Keith Flint.”

V13 Cover Story Issue 095 – Cradle of Filth x Download Fest

What’s an average day like at Download Festival when you’re performing?

“Hanging out backstage. Meeting up with people, much like a lot of other festivals. There’s a good backstage vibe. You have your dinner, lunch, you get ready, you do your interviews, there’s interview tents. If you’re lucky enough to get there early, before everybody piles into the arena, you can sneak out and go and check out all the cool shops and everything.

I’m loathed to do that because I always get stuck in a record place and then suddenly it gets filled up with fans. I realize, ‘Shit, I’ve gotta walk about a mile backstage now.’ and that always seems to happen to me.”

What advice would you give a band performing at Download Festival for the first time?

“No different. Just enjoy it. It’s the biggest rock festival in England. Treat it with a bit of respect and the respect is go out and fucking enjoy yourself.”

“I just remember it being a monumental occasion. Really, really cool. One of the times we played on the main stage my daughter came out and introduced us.”

There’s been plenty of memorable moments at Download and Castle Donington. Are there any involving Cradle of Filth that stick in your memory?

“One good moment was that me and my ex-drummer both got blown over by the KISS helicopter arriving. We were walking from the main arena backstage and it landed next to us on the track. The sheer down force when it landed blew both of us against the fence which was incredible.”

You wouldn’t expect anything else from KISS though. Over the decades there have been many iconic moments that still live on now. If you had to pick one to epitomise what Donington and Download is about, what is the one that sticks in your mind?

“There’s everybody taking over the drums for Metallica that time. That was pretty iconic. That was the time when Lars couldn’t make it or he was sick and loads of people like Joey Jordison and Dave Lombardo stepped up. I didn’t see that, but it must have been incredible.”

Just to finish off then, what does performing at Download mean to Cradle of Filth?

“It’s like coming home really. If you’re not asked to play the biggest rock festival in your own country, being literally an institution now, then I dunno what would be wrong. People could say that it is because you’re not current. Dueting with Ollie Sykes and Ed Sheeran surely that’s current enough?

It’s like a homecoming thing so, if you didn’t play it, you would be asking questions of yourself. It’s the biggest rock festival in the country. It’s way cooler than Glastonbury. What else can I say? It’s home…”

Cradle of Filth headline the Dogtooth Stage at Download Festival on Saturday June 14th at 830pm. Check out our 13 Bands You Need To See… and for all the latest Download Festival information head over to the Official Download Festival Website.

Cradle of Filth’s new album, The Screaming of the Valkyries, is out now and you can pick up your copy here. Following their Download appearance, the band will be playing further dates around the UK in July.

Tour Dates:

07/06 – Epic Studios Norwich, United Kingdom
07/08 – Dreamland Margate, United Kingdom
07/09 – The Foundry Torquay, United Kingdom
07/11 – 1865 Southampton, United Kingdom

Download Festival 2025