The UK drag scene has a delectable field of all kinds of artists, offering a rich selection of styles beyond the campy tradition we are known for. Think of it as a giant pick n mix of incredible artists to choose from—lucky us! Among the many performers out there, one artist stands out as a jack of all trades. Behind the cloak of mystery is a realm of costume making, endless cultural references that speak to their wheelhouse, and continues to inspire the fantastic ghoul that is Cadaverous Black.
Someone who is a visionary and not only attuned with their love for not only horror but also knows how to truly elevate it into a bone-chilling experience. Their work is a testament to their craft, a true artist, one that knows their direction and what an audience should experience in person. How many artists do you know that think of bringing scent into the mix, as mentioned previously, an artist that knows themselves enough to cultivate every step of their creative direction?
From hauntingly precise makeup to self-directed horror performances, Cadaverous Blacks’ YouTube channel is a must-follow for those brave enough to witness the eerie firsthand. Beyond their art, they also champion the support of all alternative drag artists in the community and support platforms such as Cryptid Queers, who uplift all forms of drag—something that is still overlooked, even in 2025. To see someone like Cadaverous Black be so dedicated and passionate is truly inspiring, so don’t be afraid of them; tread carefully, embrace the darkness, and dive into the magically disgusting world of Cadaverous Black..
Kirsty Bright: Let’s start from the beginning; your look is frightfully stunning in the best way possible! Where do you get your inspiration from? Would it be fair to say horror was a starting point?
Cadaverous Black: Thank you, my dear! Ever since I can remember, I have always been attracted to the darkness and the theatrical. The first encounter was Walt Disney’s Fantasia. The scene towards the end of the movie where they depict a demon from ancient Slavic folklore conducting a black mass. The scene was set to the epic Night On Bald Mountain, the orchestral masterpiece by Mussorgsky. I had this on VHS and would just sit in front of the TV entranced for hours on end, rewinding to the point that the tape ended up wearing out. My hairs stood on end, and the pure feelings of darkness it evoked were truly the catalyst for what would become Cadaverous Black.
Old classic horror would certainly be an inspiration, in particular Lon Chaney senior. My makeup was never inspired by drag artists or drag culture; my makeup style is, if anything, inspired by the master of a thousand faces, with the eye bags being Phantom of the Opera. The face and contour style, however, is something I created based on my own face structure. I’m not painting on what isn’t there; I’m enhancing what lies beneath.
KB: Was there a particular piece of horror media that had a huge impact on you growing up?
CB: As I had previously mentioned, that specific portion of Fantasia is thee ultimate piece of horror media that forged me, but the works of Clive Barker have certainly made a huge impact. I personally think he has tethers to the truly magical dark realms beyond our world. But to hone in on one movie in particular, it would be Hellraiser. The cenobites are very Cadaverous, it’s the magic mixed with the filth mixed with the macabre that is what I love about them. They are ancient, and as they say, they are explorers in the further regions of experience; it’s terrifying and fascinating.
KB: Your drag blends alt-rock and horror seamlessly—how did you develop this aesthetic?
CB: I really found my voice, so to speak, fronting a rock and metal covers band, so I’m no stranger to being Monster of Rock, Maiden, Metallica, Type O, you name it. I would add theatrics to the live performance and make it my own, so with that as my background, alt rock had to be a part of what would eventually be the Cadaverous live show. All the tracks featured are tied into the show’s through line, era by era; there is a rich backstory to the origin of Cadaverous. You’re taken on a journey from the night he was born into darkness up until the present. One day the complete story of Cadaverous will be immortalised in a book or even in film; just watch this space.
KB: If you had to choose a horror movie villain that best represents your drag style, who would it be?
CB: If we can mix it up a bit, I would say a mixture of Pinhead the Hell Priest, Maleficent, Freddy, and Haggis the witch from Pumpkinhead.
KB: Were you always drawn to alternative fashion and music, or did your style evolve over time?
CB: Cadaverous is a feeling, and whatever media he manifests in, it’s all about it feeling right. I’m guided by a power within; there is something that guides me, so looking at fashion and music, I would say music-wise I’m more inspired by movie scores and soundtracks, and for fashion, more period fashion. Cadaverous is ancient and has walked this filthy earth for millennia, so by existing throughout time and having the ability to inhabit the mortal carcasses of people of nobility or power magic or mayhem, he has run the gamut of looks throughout time. He is spectral and undead, so I would also say, to harken back to Fantasia, that the ghouls and creatures that fly through the night in the animation are a subliminal reference when it comes to me creating my looks. And yes, I do create all my looks myself. Costumes, set pieces and props, themes, and storylines. I feel it has to come directly from me, from my hands; then it’s as authentic as possible.
KB: When it comes to creating your looks, what’s your process? Do you take inspiration from any particular artists in music, film, or fashion?
CB: As I have mentioned, period fashion is part and parcel of what and who Cadaverous is, and I’m definitely inspired by the spectral and ghoul-like nature of A Night On Bald Mountain, but as a child and even up to now, I have been obsessed with classic witches. Cadaverous is very witch-like, and so I’m sure you can see that inspiration heavily in my work, as all of the books I read were tales of witches, ghouls, vampires, and goblins. I really feel like I have my own style, and there really is a signature Cadaverous Black blueprint. Natural fibres and lots of texture and filth. Ageing is a huge part when it comes to my costumes. When you see my looks, the details you pick up on coalesce into making one complete thought-out monster. Where he’s been, what he has been through, and what he’s been up to are all evident.
I sew, sculpt, cast, finish, and hand-dye and distress all my looks. I loved costume kits when I was a child, and one day I would love to bring out a Cadaverous costume kit for all those kids and big kids that love Halloween. After all, when your Cadaverous Black every day is Halloween.
KB: We can’t talk about horror, filth, and glam without mentioning the iconic Boulet Brothers. Do you think they have been a staple in helping bring more visibility to the alt-drag scene over the years?
CB: It’s huge. Yes from me they have blazed a trail and continue to do so, they have created an amazing space for Monster/Horror drag artists to show the world what they are creating and doing and put it this way when I first heard about Dragula back in 2015 I was sat in the hard rock in LA and a friend told me about it, from that moment I knew that it had finally happened, we as a community had that stage to look up to, so much diversity and difference in all the competitors cast, and the fact that the Boulets are so heavily involved in there own show, really is something special. They have the experience, the brains, and the know-how to cultivate and generate a space for difference and inclusivity. I followed the Boulets back when they used to throw Queen Kong. I remember watching what they used to get up to back in a time when I hadn’t quite found my voice, and the Boulets gave me hope.
KB: This might be a little bit of a generic question, but would you ever consider competing on Dragula, or are you content with them shifting the spotlight away from mainstream drag?
CB: Who knows what the future holds, but I think if we are to move forward into even more artistic and magical territory, then the world needs a monster like me!
KB: What is the UK drag scene like? For those who are looking for a different kind of drag, what is the scene like, and who are the performers we should be focusing on?
CB: So personally, I do perform in queer establishments and at drag events and club-like shows, but I have seemed to pervade the UK horror scene more. I’ve been bringing Monster drag to a different space for a while now and blazing my own trail. Conventions and horror-related events are currently more the space I inhabit in this time and moment in my career. I have performed on the main stage at the UK’s biggest horror convention three years running now, and to be the first and only Monster drag artist to have ever graced that stage is an honour. At this event, or the horror cons in particular, you find all walks of life, and I am showcasing queer horror monster drag art for all to see.
I get the comment a lot at these events “I didn’t know what Monster Drag was, I didn’t know that Drag could be like this” so I would say that I’m converting and spreading my plague to the peasants of this 21st century quite well. I think it’s better to come together than it is to divide, but in these times more than ever we need to be looking out for our trans artists and artists of colour. I would like to give a shout-out to my friends at Cryptid Queers based in Sheffield; the show and space they have created is very inclusive, and I support that. Let’s not divide; let’s just conquer all!
KB: For those who want to explore drag but feel like they don’t fit into the traditional scene, what advice would you give them?
CB: This may sound short and maybe not so sweet, but honestly, if no one is doing it, just do it! If you can’t find the space, create the space. All this goes deeper for me, and throughout my whole career thus far, it all goes back to an innate feeling of, this is meant to be. I was very close to death as an infant; my lung collapsed, and I fought. I really believe that I’m meant to bring magic to people in this world and I’m following that inner voice so belief is the magic word in this equation. I moved into a not necessarily queer space and have created a community through that brave leap, and it’s paid off, so I hope you ghouls out there can find some hope in my words.
KB: The performances you put on are on another level of production, balancing horror and suspense while keeping the audience on their toes. What has been the most memorable performance of your career?
CB: Thank you for the compliment. I will preface this by letting everyone know that I don’t have management, I don’t have the most money, and this whole vision is grassroots and comes out of my own pocket, so there are many sacrifices I’ve had to make to make this a reality. The last time I went on a holiday was eight years ago, so things aren’t always as they may seem behind the scenes, but back to the question. It would definitely be For The Love Of Horror Convention 2022. The first year I brought Cadaverous to Europe’s largest horror convention at The BEC in Manchester. I’m the first monster drag artist to perform on the main stage at this event, and when my intro kicked in and I was pushed out in my coffin and the scent of Cadaverous filled the air of the arena, I could hear and feel the anticipation and the bass of the sound system. It felt like the apocalypse in the best way.
To those who have never experienced it, being trapped in the confined darkness of a coffin as the sound of the main stage subs shakes your soul loose, well, I’ll say it’s haunting AF. As I opened the coffin lid, I was hit by the roar of the crowd, and in that moment I knew that what I was doing had really landed, so I’m excited for all the baby monsters out there who have a great career ahead of them.
KB: Your YouTube channel features incredibly intense and creative performances. How do you maintain that level of creativity? Do you ever struggle with creative blocks?
CB: Thank you for the compliment yet again! And the answer is yes, as we all do as artists, we are flesh and bone, and we have moments where we maybe don’t feel as powerful as we usually do, but my go-to is to listen to movie soundtracks and film scores, also where I live in the countryside in the northwest of England that inspired me a lot. My house is surrounded by forest, and with that landscape and my imagination, that’s where my ideas are born. Also, if you don’t already know, I’m the self-proclaimed Original Olfactory Nightmare Monster Drag Artist, as I like to say.
For those of you that don’t know what Olfactory means, it’s our sense of smell. When you come to a Cadaverous Black show, you will definitely see and hear my art, but you will also be able to smell it. I have a plethora of custom Cadaverous Black scents that have been created especially to bring the audience even closer to my world. For those of you who have already met me in person, you will attest that I reek of death. My library of Olfactory nightmares keeps growing, so those of you out there who are dying to see me live and want the most authentic Cadaverous experience, make sure you’re positioned in at least the front three rows of the audience, and when the time comes for the show to begin, the lights will cut to black, and slowly you’ll be at the mercy of my malevolent Miasma. Fans know me for this, and it has and will always be a fundamental part of the Cadaverous Black brand. So get ready to be Plagued bitches!
KB: Some of your videos have the production values of mini horror films. For those new to your work, which performance best captures your character?
CB: I would definitely say my aftermovie from the FTLOH convention 2024. There is a good summary of the different numbers I perform in there, and you can definitely see the character, the diversity, and the different aspects of the show. Just not the smell; you’ll have to come to a live show to experience that.
KB: Do you see social media as a powerful tool to showcase your drag, or do you find it is more of a challenge to balance artistic authenticity while constantly trying to outsmart an algorithm?
CB: It is a powerful tool to create but also to destroy. As a tool for marketing, it’s great for people who want to have their work or themselves publicly displayed, but for all the mortals out there that post their lives online and then get the backlash and the negativity. It’s almost like social media has become a must for everyone now as it lies in the palm of our hands. If you’re a regular person and someone put you up for an audition to be catapulted to fame, I don’t think people would jump for it. The reality of being well-known online opens you up to a whole host of problems and put-downs, so yes, it’s a tool for marketing, business, and performance artists, but it’s unhealthy to live your life based on the standards of what is considered the standard online. If I’m honest, my socials have always just been a gallery for me, a place to engage with fans and connect.
I don’t fight the algorithm; I just do me. I’m all about a live experience and the in-person magic. I’m old school, and I’m from the dark ages; don’t forget, so all this modern technology is a blur to me. I’m more Magic and Alchemy than data and downloads.
KB: You sometimes perform at Cryptid Queers, a collective that puts on monster drag shows with casts that celebrate creativity in their looks and performances. For those unfamiliar, what makes them so unique?
CB: Ah, Cryptid Queers. I love what they have created. They provide a space for inclusivity, and I think it’s great. The creator of CO is doing wonders for our community; they are setting up workshops for folks who want to start doing drag and cultivating their own unique character. This is super special, and I think it’s a great opportunity for those out there that need a good start or don’t know where to start.
KB: Looking ahead to this year, what are you most excited about? Any big plans in store?
CB: I can reveal as an exclusive that I’m starring in an independent horror flick called Go To Hell. I’ll be playing the Monster, of course, so keep an eye gouged out for that, and on the live show front, keep your eyes peeled back for upcoming dates and appearances on my socials. The main place to find me is my Instagram, so hit follow and get plagued. But truly, who knows what the future holds? I have big plans, and I’m ready to spread my tentacles of death across the land once more. The Black Death has returned from the dark medieval lands of old to spread his plague. Are you my next victim?
Be sure to follow Cadaverous: here
