Ongoing drama within the Cradle of Filth camp has reached a fever pitch just moments ago, as frontman Dani Filth took to social media to announce the immediate firing of guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda. The news comes hours after the now ousted musician announced his intent to leave the band following their current Latin American tour.
In his initial announcement, Smerda blamed his exit on a number of factors, including things like “relatively low pay,” high stress, and feeling like the band doesn’t prioritize or care about its members. His decision came just one day after his wife and ex-Cradle of Filth keyboardist/vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff announced she decided to immediately leave the band as well. Overall, he complained about what he described as “years of unprofessional behavior”.
Following his announcement, Federoff shared even more detail, describing incidents where she said management was “dishonest, manipulative and [had tried] to take money that belongs to us.” She said management allegedly threatened to fire her after asking where the album advance money for the band’s latest album was. She also blamed Dani Filth for creating an environment that’s allegedly “threatening and abusive and constantly exploits us for very low wages.”
In her post, she shared apparent images of her contract, stating that she and Ashok had planned to leave the band for months now.
Hours later, Filth posted his response, announcing that Smerda was fired effective immediately, calling his allegations an attempt to “illegally defame and derail the band.” He also said the tour would go on without him, albeit with one guitarist instead of two.
His statement is as follows:
“It is with a grave heart that Cradle Of Filth officially announce the firing of guitarist Marek ‘Ashok’ Smerda from the band, effective immediately.
Despite all attempts to illegally defame and derail the band, Cradle Of Filth WILL NOT cancel any of our South American shows, though fans will have to bear with us being a band with only one guitarist live, that is of course until Ashok’s temporary replacement is flown out to join the tour in a few days time.
Thankyou for your understanding in this horrible matter, we are all in a state of shock over proceedings and will share our side to these unfortunate events in due course. Please, respect our decision to part with Ashok now rather than at the end of the tour and avoid speculation as more clarity on the situation will be provided.
The rest of the band are cool, even if taken aback, and accusations toward management, who work very closely with me and the band are completely unjust and unfounded.
Patience is a virtue and the truth will always out.
Thank you once again fellow Filthlings and we look forward to the rest of ‘The Screaming Of The Américas’ tour here in Uruguay and beyond. ????????
Your fiend, Dani”
Something tells me this isn’t the end of what’s going on right now. I’d imagine lawyers could get involved, though only time will tell on that front. Either way, be sure to keep checking with us for more information.
