It’s approx 11:00am, January 26, 2009- the day of show.  The cell-phone rings.  It’s Paul Allender…
He informs me that they just rolled into town, and He wouldn’t mind getting something to eat.  After a bit of catching up,  we decided for kicks we should go and check out the largest mall in the world “Mall of America”.  Dani – being a huge roller-coaster fanatic – wanted to come along as well.  Our journey would prove interesting and included a lot of “you had to be there moments”, that we’ll cover later in this saga.  I promise the ending is something of EPIC proportions, and will go down in Metal History as one of the “funniest” moments.

Due to shenanigans and debauchery that saw its way into the next morning, the interview slipped away from us and part one needed to be completed later!  This multi-part interview will take many twists, turns , and unexpected directions.  So strap your selves in tight boys and girls, ready or not, here we go!

PAUL ALLENDER “COMES CLEAN” (PUN INTENDED) WITH CHAOS
Chaos: Congrats on the new album “Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder”, SICK title! “Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder” draws deep contrast and noticeable style changes from what’s found in “Thornography”. What brought the band in this direction?

Paul: Personally it was just pure selfish reasons! I wanted to inject more of a violent feel into the new album and I also wanted to play faster live again! I felt that there was nowhere else we could really go after ‘Thornography’, I wanted to bring back the intense feel of darkness, orchestral and the violent nature back into the band.
 
Chaos: One constant is the EPIC presence of none other than DOUG BRADLEY (more affectionately known to fans as the legendary “PINHEAD” from the “Hell Raiser” saga), with quite possibly some of the most bone-chilling narration found on any album. How was his partnership with the band forged?

Paul: We met Doug when we recorded Midian, it was a friend of ours that introduced him to us because there was a section on the album that would be great for pinhead, so we got the real deal which was amazing!

Chaos: Sarah “Jez” was missing from the line this time around, and is now residing in Australia with her “soon to be” husband (Congratulations Sarah!). Is this a permanent hiatus from the band, or is there an expected return?

Paul: Personally I don’t know but good luck to her, rosie is doing an amazing job, she sings so well and it works great. I met Sarah’s soon to be husband and hes really nice, a great guy, so good luck to her.

Chaos: Speaking of Sarah’s absence, Rosie (live keyboards) assumed the female vocal responsibilities on this tour and was very impressive to say the least. It wasn’t until after the show when I was complementing her skills, that the real shock took hold. “I’ve taken only 5 vocal lessons just before the tour started.” I had to pick my jaw up from the floor. What type of reaction did you and the other band members have after her first rehearsal?

Paul: We knew she could sing in the first place so it wasnt much of a shock at all. I know when we asked her she panicked lol, but I said to her “just calm down and give it a go”, she did and it sounds amazing!!
 
Chaos: On numerous different occasions you have stated that in regards to playing guitar,…..you don’t know what your doing half the time. Is it difficult, and how do you remain humble?

Paul: I don’t know what I’m doing!! lol, I spent about two years with my head in text books on music theory etc… after that I realized that all that had done was make guitar playing a chore and it put handcuffs on me. Now I have forgotten all that I had learned, and play what I think sounds good. I don’t know scales, theory or whatever it takes to be a musical boff!! lol I’m not interested in that, …..music comes from the soul and thats the way it has to be.

Chaos: It is known that you are heavily involved in practicing martial arts.(we both know I could still take you… haha) Do you ever worry that it might fuck up your hands, and as a result you may not be able to play?

Paul: I do worry about that (and yes you could take me you animal!! lol) but you have to know what your doing so you don’t screw yourself up. Just before I go on tour or I go into a studio I will just do Kata’s and stuff, but if I have some time off I work out when I’m going to be away, so if I do hurt myself iIcan calculate to healing time.

Chaos: “Dusk and Her Embrace” is your favorite song to perform live. Which is your least favorite, and why?

Paul: Nymphetamine because its such a lul in the set, when your used to playing fast it’s a real come down!!
 
Chaos: Do you have a favorite venue to decimate?

Paul:Not really because most of the venues are already shot to bits anyhow!! lol
 
Chaos: At times Cradle shows can get pretty rough. I remember the first COF show I attended. It was in Calgary, AB. It took place in a huge hall that was ridiculously packed. I was 3-4 rows deep in the pit, and as soon as you guys hit the stage, all hell broke loose. Approximately 200-300 people went down due to the crowd response shifting. To give the readers an idea of how brutal this show was , one could not walk out of the hall with out stepping on eyeglasses. The floor was paved with smashed spectacles! Have you ever looked out to the crowd and been genuinely concerned that the situation may elevate to the point of no return?

Paul: Yes I have, theres been a couple of times I’ve very nearly suggested stopping the show. Sometimes it just gets insane and seeing people getting smashed from where I’m standing is like “damn that must have hurt”. On this tour there was a kid that broke his leg and he was stretched out right in front of me!!

Chaos: It is undeniable that COF are known to provide flawless live performances. How much pre-tour rehearsal/practice is involved in committing to this staple?

Paul: Lol…. rehearsal….whats that!!! When we have a tour coming up we usually get together for about 3 days to a week to get the set up to scratch. Theres no point getting together before hand because if were not on-form now then we will never be, I think its called being professional!! lol 

Chaos: Besides COF, you are also a practicing artist. What are your artistic influences and aspirations?

Paul: I don’t have any influence or inspirations, I just do it. I start with a blank canvas and just do it and make it up as I go along. 90% of the time I step back and look at what I’ve done and say “F*** where did that come from, thats so cool” lol
 
Chaos: COF recently launched a new networking website (www.cradleoffilth.com) that enables fans to connect and interact with the band members and other fans. Is it like a dark Myspace or Facebook? Tell us a little about it.

Paul: Well you can go to our site and check out what were up to, but you have to set up a profile to be able to talk to us. Its really cool, I was so happy with it when I first saw it, it works so well.
 
Chaos: What’s your advice for young bands chasing a career in Metal?

Paul:Never give up, stay true to yourself and play and write what you think sounds good, not what other people want to hear.
 
Chaos: You were going to be kind enough to provide me with some COF guitar picks to give away for a contest on www.metalhammer.co.uk, …..but some DOUCHEBAG stole most of the tour guitar picks. On the off chance that the Jackass in question is reading this, is there anything you would like to say?

Paul: GIVE ME BACK MY PICS YOU FUCK WIT!!!!
 
Chaos: After completion of the current tour, are there plans for more touring in support of “Godspeed On The Devil’s Thunder”, or should fans expect a new album to follow shortly?

Paul:Well there is going to be a second leg of the european tour coming up very soon, also were going to come back to the states and the end of the year so I really cant wait for that!! When I get back from the states im going to start writing the next album, I’m totally fired up and I need to record, the new material will be alot faster, alot nastier and so much darker…AARRGGHH I REALLY CANT WAIT! … Ok heres a few questions for YOU Chaos: 1) What got you into Cradle in the first place? why Cradle? and what do you like about us? be honest now!! 2) Whats your fav album from us and why?

…TO BE CONTINUED…