Name: Daniel Firth

Birthday: 23/05/86

Place of residence: Glasgow, Scotland

Hobbies: Apart from all things musical, I also enjoy reading, writing, football, indoor rock-climbing and hill-walking.

Musical background: I had been playing electric guitar for about ten years before I picked up the bass and found it was well-suited to my style. I began playing in a local Misfits tribute band, devoting a good chunk of my free time to the instrument, before being offered to play for Scottish death metal band Man Must Die. After a recording session with MMD at Scott Atkins’ Grindstone Studios I became known to Cradle and got involved with them on ‘The Manticore and Other Horrors’.

Equipment: Schecter Hellraiser-5, Fender USA Jazz-V, Overwater Custom J-Bass, Sansamp Bass Driver, Wharfedale Pro S-1500 power amp, Marshall 8x10

Idols in Music: Steve Harris, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Bruce Dickinson, Chuck Schuldiner, Jeff Buckley, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, Devin Townsend, Freddie Mercury, Tony Iommi, Toby Driver, Trey Azagthoth, Paul Masvidal

Best CoF show so far: Playing Wacken in 2012 was an incredible experience for me. Being only my second show with the band, I was still finding my feet, but it was great to play for so many people. I was buzzing for ages afterwards!

Fave CoF songs to perform: Born in a Burial Gown, Summer Dying Fast, Funeral in Carpathia

How do you kill time on tour: I read a lot, do some writing and often explore the local surroundings, especially if there’s a nice hill or forest nearby.

Strangest experience on tour: Probably passing out during a border crossing, hung-over, whilst trying to get through with no passport, then being revived with toast. There have already been a lot of strange experiences during my short time on tour so far though!

Place you would like to visit, but haven't: Japan, The Faroe Islands, New Zealand

Your fave bands: Iron Maiden, Death, Rush, Cynic, Lykathea Aflame, Devin Townsend, Sodom, Kreator, Slayer, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Jeff Buckley, Judas Priest, Manilla Road, Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Idlewild, Immolation, Napalm Death, Carcass, Queen, Running Wild, Sepultura, Savatage, Boards of Canada, Nick Drake, Rage, Maudlin of the Well

Fave food/drink: Cheese, steak, mince and clapshot, tea, ale, whiskey

Favourite authors: Iain (M.) Banks, Wilbur Smith, Isaac Asimov, Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur C. Clarke

Eleven favourite albums:

Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

Jeff Buckley – Grace

Cynic – Focus

Lykathea Aflame – Elvenefris

Slayer – Reign in Blood

Idlewild – 100 Broken Windows

Death – Human

Strapping Young Lad - City

Suffocation - Human Waste

Dream Theater – Images and Words

Judas Priest - Painkiller

Message to the fans: Thanks for welcoming me into the fold, I hope to do you all proud. See you on tour!

If you'd like to keep updated on all my musical endeavours, check out the page below.

Daniel Firth's Music Facebook page