Stuart anstis passes away, aged 48

British guitarist Stuart Anstis, best known for his work with Gothic Black Metal pioneers Cradle of Filth, passed away on the 21st of August at the age of 48.

Stuart joined Cradle of Filth in 1995, writing and performing guitar on their two landmark albums, "Dusk and Her Embrace" (1996) and "Cruelty and the Beast" (1998), in addition to the EPs "V Empire" (1996) and "From the Cradle to Enslave" (1999).

The sad news was first shared by former Cradle of Filth guitarist Richard Shaw, who joined the band in 2014, via a short post on his Instagram:

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

Cradle of Filth founder Dani Filth also commented:

It is with a deeply saddened heart that I have heard of the passing of my former guitarist Stuart Anstis at 48. Stuart - despite our eventual differences - was an amazingly talented guitarist who brought a real sense of magic 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.

"Vempire", "Dusk… and Her Embrace" (though written mostly by former members, Stuart played all the guitars on this album), "Cruelty and the Beast" and "From the Cradle to Enslave" would have been completely different creatures if it were not for the depth of his astute and deliciously dark musicianship.

It truly is with a heavy sense of loss that we (and extreme music in general) bid farewell to Stuart.

May sombre flights of ravens wing you to your grave mate.

Taken from the "Dusk and Her Embrace" booklet.

After parting ways with Cradle of Filth in 1999, Stuart went on to form the band Bastardsun with legendary American vocalist David Wayne of Metal Church fame. Among his other musical endeavours were Aphelion, an electronic music project, and Ninepence, his latest band.

No immediate cause of death has been revealed so far.

Stuart (center) with his most recent band, Ninepence.