Devastating news from the Black Metal world. Stuart Anstis, a former guitarist of CRADLE OF FILTH, passed away at the age of 48 on August 21st, 2022. As of now, there’s no word on his cause of death.

The news was broken by another ex-CRADLE OF FILTH member, guitarist Richard Shaw, who send his condolences in an Instagram post:

“Rest in peace, Stuart. It was an honor performing your music. Thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.”

Anstis played in CRADLE OF FILTH from 1995 to 1999. During his brief time within the group, the artist wrote and recorded several of the band’s most iconic albums, including 1998’s “Cruelty And The Beast” and 1996’s “Dusk And Her Embrace”. He also contributed to CRADLE OF FILTH releases “V Empire, or Dark Faerytales In Phallustein” (1996) and “From The Cradle to Enslave”(1999).

Following his departure from CRADLE OF FILTH, he formed the band BASTARDSUN, which dispersed in 2005 after the act’s frontman David Wayne sadly passed away from injuries sustained from a car crash. Stuart was last active in the band NINEPENCE provided vocals and guitars.

Stuart also created electronic music, releasing “Aphelion I-IV” in 2001. Anstis’s other musical credits include mastering work for several bands, including EMBRACE BY DARK, RIFFMASTER GENERAL, MOURNING BELOVETH, SCAVENGER, SCALD and SERMON OF HYPOCRICY.

Rest in peace Stuart …