The line-up on The Rockfield Files includes three out of four members that were at the original 1980s sessions: vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Captain Sensible and bassist Paul Gray.

[11][14] The Rockfield Files is produced by Tom Dalgety, who has previously worked with, among others, Killing Joke, Pixies, Ghost, and Royal Blood.

"The Spider and the Fly" was originally demoed by Gray in 1996 and intended for the Damned just after he had briefly rejoined the band the same year.

[21] Classic Rock wrote, "With a sparkiness that was at times lacking on their previous album, The Rockfield Files is an excellent addition to the catalogue of a band who should have gone to pot about 30 years ago but are still full of vitality.

He wrote, "Bolstered by an intriguing 1960s psychedelic feel throughout the proceeds, the EP showcases some of the strongest Damned material in years."

[23] Rewind It Magazine wrote, ""Keep 'Em Alive" starts off this four track EP promising enough, but ultimately gets lost in its own repetitiveness.

"[7] Louder magazine wrote that it captures the band at "the absolute zenith of their creativity" and called it "one of the finest recordings of their entire career.