Cradle Of Filth backing vocalist / keyboardist Lindsay Schoolcraft has posted a message to the fans via her official blog page here.

"A lot of fans have been asking me lately why I never have a bad thing to say about any of the past female singers of Cradle of Filth in conversation, and/or why when I’m asked to sign something that doesn’t have my face on it I always draw hearts around their faces instead. Well, here is your answer and it’s pretty simple:

I respect them.

They left a legacy that helped form the band’s history and sound. They have inspired others to be singers and gave me a spot in the band (if we never had female voices on the recordings I wouldn’t be here). They have taught me so much through their work left behind, challenging me and pushing me to grow and be better through all their different singing styles. I even know some of them personally, and consider some friends.

You see, women are stronger when they come together in mutual respect. It saddens me to think what background these fans who have these questions come from, possibly thinking their is always some 'cat fight' going on and that women in the industry don’t like one another. I don’t have anything bad to say about any of them because that is what people who are insecure with themselves do. You see, these sort of actions are from those who feel threatened by others due to their internal lack of confidence. Yes, I get scared and nervous at times, but never to the point where I feel I have to put down someone else’s worth to justify my own worth.

Each woman who has graced Cradle over the years has been chosen by the band and left their own unique mark on the band’s vocal history. No one is better or worse. We were/are all different and had something to offer. I see the beauty and equality in that.

And I’m not a hater. It’s not in my bones or in my heart and spirit. Sure, I’m feisty and sharp tongued, but in good fun and at my core I love people and all creatures. So please stop asking me why I don’t talk shit. Please stop digging for me to say something mean. You won’t find that here."

Cradle Of Filth have released a music video for the track "Blackest Magick In Practice" (streaming below). The clip was directed by Sam Scott-Hunter and the song is taken from the groups latest tome of horror and romance, Hammer Of The Witches.

Comments the director: "There’s dark madness in this video. “Blackest Magick In Practice” is a deeply tragic tale of lost love. It’s the grief stricken insanity of trying to bring back that loved one from the dead; desperately trying to hold onto that person who’s gone, even if that leads down a dark and gruesome path. I don’t want to give it all away, but I will say that the hardest part of the production was getting hold of a human ear.

"I wanted to convey the power of the band too, in amongst the romance, madness and magick. Behind the imagery of the lyrics is a great and powerful metal band of amazing musicians, and I hope people can feel the intensity of the band when they watch this. It is intense viewing. There should be a bit of madness in the video, because there’s madness in this song."

Cradle Of Filth will return to North America in 2016 with the Inquisitional Torture tour. Joining them will be Ne Obliviscaris and Butcher Babies as support. Tickets are now available at Ticketmaster.

Tour dates:

January
26 - Philadelphia, PA - Theater Of The Living Arts
27 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues
28 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
29 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz
31 - Charlotte, NC - Filmore Charlotte

February
1 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade - Heaven
2 - Orlando, FL - Venue 578
3 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theater
9 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theater
10 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
11 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
12 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theater
14 - Eaglewood, CO - Gothic Theater
15 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
17 - Los Angeles, CA - Avalon
18 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
20 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades
21 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
23 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox
29 - Ringle, WI - Q and Z Expo Center

March
1 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
2 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart’s
3 - Cleveland, OH - House Of Blues
5 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew’s Hall
6 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theater
7 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theater
8 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

Cradle Of Filth's latest album, Hammer Of The Witches, was brought to fruition in Britain's Witch County, in darkest rural Suffolk at the reputedly haunted Grindstone Studios. The album's title is named after the Malleus Maleficarum, a medieval document of guidelines regarding the persecution and torture of witches - but Cradle Of Filth’s title version is more retributory: It's the Hammer Of The Witches; the hammer is in the witches' hands and it's payback time.

Unquestionably one of the greatest and most influential British metal bands of all time, Cradle Of Filth have cast a commanding and macabre shadow across the metal scene for nearly a quarter of a century. Armed with their trademark, cross-pollinated assault that taps into myriad strands of sonic extremity and morbid opulence they have steadily conquered the entire world, unleashing a malevolent slew of classic albums along the way. From the raw and rambunctious savagery of their 1994 debut The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh to the wickedly monstrous, technicolor bombast of 2012's The Manticore & Other Horrors, the Cradle ethos and aesthetic has had a huge impact on the evolution of metal, the band's insatiable appetite for performing live and frontman Dani Filth's unerring charisma and sense of occasion ensuring that they have established a powerful and enduring connection with Hell-bound acolytes everywhere.

Tour trailer: