CRADLE OF FILTH Interview with Paul Allender

XM: Let’s start off by getting our readers up to date on what you and the band have been up to so far this year.
Paul: Well so far all we have been doing is touring and promoting Darkly. Nothing much else really to be honest.

XM: Now we both grew up in the same metal era, when they didn’t label so many bands with different genres of metal, it was pretty much “heavy metal” across the board. Times have changed and now these kids have dissected metal so much and to the point that it is almost insulting to musicians. You guys have had your share of “metal labels” I was curious to know what it is you think of the whole subgenre thing? Do you think subgenres tend to make metal look all that more commercial?
Paul: All the subgenera's in metal are a joke, I mean why the hell do you need all these stupid pathetic labels, metal is metal and that's it as far as I'm concerned and yes it is insulting when your a musician trying to write the best you can and all you do is get labeled into something you have never even heard of!!!! Sorry for the rant but this subject always touches a nerve!! lol

XM: Most metal bands entertain the idea of being Satan worshipers mainly because of the whole imagery involved and it seems to be more mainstream now and cool to do. What are your views on this matter?
Paul: I don't believe in it at all, its all cool when you are kids and think its a great thing but when you get older you realize that its just a load of crap!! lol I mean i believe with my own eyes. For me to believe in either Satan or god i would need concrete visual proof like having these religious figures in front of me actually talking to me and proving there existence.

XM: The band has gone through a few record labels to date, what are the main things that you feel are necessary in order to stay with a label?
Paul: Respect is a major part for me. I want to feel like the label were on is just as serious as we are about our music and are willing to push us as hard as posse to get our music out to our fans.

XM: The band has been known for having some pretty extreme and controversial merchandise leading to fans actually having to go to court for wearing them in public. Who comes up with the ideas and does the band have total control over the art and video direction that is put out, whether it be album covers, shirts, videos etc.?
Paul: Most of the time its Dani that comes up with the back slogans on shirts and i do the art and design but when it comes to videos etc its usually the director that comes up with the ideas and we just embellish when he has to offer. So yes we do have total control over everything.

XM: I have checked out some of your work on the VOMITORIUM website. Great job! I myself enjoy working with Photoshop and other imaging programs as well, can you briefly explain the process involved in making a piece?
Paul: I usually start off with a photo i have taken and then totally mess around with it, i use a lot of brush i have made and then from this point its all down to what i think looks good, down to the artistic eye if you want to call it that :) lol

XM: Are some of the pieces available for sale on let’s say t-shirts?
Paul: Yes, I have released a shirt with my Cthulhu Rising art on the front, you can get it from here: http://www.ed-stone.com/store/allendervomitorium

XM: Have you ever entertained the thought of creating an animated music video for the band seeing that you have a full graphics/film/DVD authoring suite?
Paul: I authored the last two DVDs myself and did all the menu pages. This time i decided not to do it and did the lay out for the booklet and the box.

XM: I know that you are a martial arts fanatic and have been involved with it since the age of 6, if someone where interested in getting involved at a later age in life what one would you recommend?
Paul: Yes i would, its great to do martial arts, all you need to do is just take everything at your own pace. I remember one Sunday morning while i was training an 80 year old guy came down and wanted to train. We welcomed him and he trained at his own pace, he loved it.

XM: I understand that Wing Chun came to be (well I was once told) because of a lady needing to defend herself from an abusive husband? How much truth is there to that story from what you know?
Paul: Its very true, it was devised by a woman to defend her village from bandits and rapists but this is another legend, there's many different stories out there as to who created the style to confuse enemies.

XM: What is your favourite Bruce Lee movie and who do you think would win a match between Donnie Yen and Jet Li?
Paul: I prefer Jet Li to be honest. One thing i did learn is that Bruce Lee was only taught the first form of Wing Chun and he was disowned and never shown the rest of the style because he took it to films and showed all the secrets on the screen.

XM: What are your views on matches that involve monetary gain to show off a skill such as in Ultimate Fighting Championships and have you ever considered joining a Pride Fighting Championship?
Paul: Personally i think its all crap!! Fighting was never devised to be a monetary gain, true martial arts was a way to defend your family, your land and your life, I hate it so much that this has been turned into a greedy money sport. When i use to teach i did it for free, i refuse to make money out of it.

XM: If you could have been involved in the recording, production or writing of any album which would it be and why?
Paul: Defender of the Faith by Judas priest :) its an amazing album and a major influence in my playing.

XM: When you hear the words X-PLOSIVE METAL what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Paul: Robotic porn :) lol

XM: In not so many words what does the band have planned for the rest of the year? What do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Paul: Well right now I'm writing the new album with Martin, were not doing any shows until after the new album is out around October 2012.

XM: I would like to thank you on behalf of xplosivemetal.com for taking the time to answer a few questions with us. Is there anything else that you would like to mention?
Paul: I just want to say thank you so much to all our fans and there support, we couldn't do this with out you guys!! All of you are amazing!!