Former Cradle of Filth drummer Nick Barker has publicly criticized his former bandmates for their lack of support during his ongoing health struggles. He shared his experience in an interview with Into the Necrosphere.
Barker is currently battling kidney failure and facing financial difficulties due to medical treatment. He was asked about the support he has received from musicians he previously worked with during his career.
When questioned about what support he had received from his old friends and former bandmates during this difficult time, Barker revealed the disappointing reality of his situation.
“Zero support from Cradle of Filth. Zero support from Dimmu Borgir. I got some support from the Brujeria guys. and the Lock Up dudes. Chuck from Testament were really was really kind, you know, he and his wife donated to my GoFundMe, which was beautiful. And Gary Holt from Exodus, you know, donated and him and his wife,” Barker said.
The drummer expressed his disappointment with the lack of communication from his most prominent former bands.
“But regarding Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir, it was like nothing. Not even a phone call or like, you know, we’re thinking about you, dude. Nothing. So, you know, it’s a typical reflection of how shallow and fickle the music industry is, you know,” he continued.
Barker reflected on the contrast between his current situation and his successful years with these bands.
“I mean, you know, when I was riding the crest of the wave, you know Cradle of Filth in the late ’90s, we were just huge. It was just taking off. It was getting bigger and bigger, you know, each month, you know, it was like a roller coaster, like a snowball effect. And the same with Dimmu Borgir. My time with them, we just grew grew and grew. And yeah, it’s surprising how you know, everybody forgets you. It is what it is,” Barker said.
Barker’s current health struggles represent a challenging chapter for a drummer whose career has spanned over three decades in the extreme metal scene. His journey in professional music began at a young age. This set the foundation for what would become a legendary career in the genre.
Blabbermouth reported that Barker started playing drums at the age of 13. His professional career began in 1993 at age 20 when he joined Cradle of Filth. This early start in the music industry would lead to collaborations with some of the most influential bands in extreme metal.
The physical demands of his drumming career have taken a significant toll on his health over the years. The Into the Necrosphere interview revealed that Barker has been playing drums for approximately 30 years. He attributes his current health challenges partly to the cumulative physical demands of his drumming career, including herniated discs that have compounded his medical issues.
Throughout his career, Barker has worked as both a session and live drummer for numerous heavyweight metal acts. Encyclopaedia Metallum documented that his extensive discography includes work with Testament, Exodus, Gorgoroth, and Anaal Nathrakh. This showcases his versatility and skill across different subgenres of extreme metal.
His tenure with Cradle of Filth from 1993 to 1999 coincided with the band’s rise to international prominence. His subsequent work with Dimmu Borgir from 1999 onwards helped establish him as one of the most recognizable drummers in the black metal scene. These collaborations not only defined his career but also contributed significantly to the evolution of extreme metal drumming techniques during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
