Stuart Anstis was a British guitarist who played in the influential black metal band Cradle of Filth from 1995 to 1999. He died on August 21, 2022, at the age of 48. His wife, Antoinette Anstis, confirmed his death on Facebook, but did not reveal the cause of his death.
Anstis was known for his technical and melodic guitar style, which contributed to some of Cradle of Filth’s most acclaimed albums, such as V Empire or Dark Faerytales in Phallustein (1996), Dusk and Her Embrace (1996), and Cruelty and the Beast (1998). He also wrote and recorded the EP From the Cradle to Enslave (1999), which was his last release with the band.
Anstis left Cradle of Filth in 1999, citing musical and personal differences with the band’s leader, Dani Filth. He later formed a new band called Bastardsun, which disbanded in 2005 after the death of their singer, David Wayne. Anstis then retired from the music scene and lived a quiet life with his family.
His former bandmates and fans paid tribute to him on social media, remembering him as a talented and creative musician who left a lasting mark on the black metal genre. Dani Filth wrote on his Facebook page: “Stuart -despite our eventual differences was an amazingly talented guitarist who brought a real sense of magick to everything he wrote in Cradle Of Filth. For a long time he and I were bestest of friends living in a small village here in Suffolk and despite that relationship eventually changing, it did nothing to diminish the fan’s appreciation of his creative flair and talent right up to the present day.”
Stuart Anstis was a pioneer and a legend of black metal, who inspired many other guitarists with his unique and innovative style. His death is a tragic loss for the metal community and for his loved ones. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
