The issues the band promoted through their lyrics included animal rights, anarchism, environmentalism, anti war, vegetarianism, veganism, antiglobalisation, feminism, and the negative effects of organised religion.

Icons of Filth started life as Mock Death in Cardiff in 1979, with Aitch (Mark Wilson) on drums, Daffy on guitar, Socket (Tony Watts) on bass and Fran and Tina sharing vocal duties.

Atomic Filth formed shortly afterwards with Socket, Daffy and Aitch from Mock Death and Stig (Andrew Sewell) on vocals.

The band played two benefit gigs for Stig's children in London and Los Angeles, after which they decided to disband indefinitely.

After a concert arranged to mark the anniversary of Stig's passing in 2014, the band members decided to reform.