 He started his professional playing career in 2002.A guitarist in the British extreme metal band Cradle of Filth from 2003 until 2005, McIlroy played on the "Nymphetamine" album and special edition, as well as appearing on the "Mannequin" and "Peace Through Superior Firepower" DVDs.He originally auditioned for the position in late 2002, and toured extensively for the "Damnation and a Day" and "Nymphetamine" albums, as well as appearances at the 2003 Ozzfest and Viva La Bam (2005), before leaving to pursue academia and work on other projects, his own band Chaosanct, as well as becoming part of the Order of Apollyon and English goth rock band NFD.