Looks like the second half of the married couple within Cradle of Filth is also walking away from Dani Filth and company at the end of the band’s current tour, as guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda announced his impending departure earlier today.
Unlike his wife and ex-Cradle of Filth keyboardist/vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff, who quit the band and announced her immediate departure yesterday, Smerda announced that his tenure with the band will come to an end after the band’s current Latin American tour. Following the band’s show in Guatemala City on September 9, he’ll officially no longer be a part of the gothic metal outfit.
Smerda had the following to say in his announcement:
“Dear fans and friends,
“I ask you to please respect my wife and myself in this transitional period. I am indeed leaving Cradle Of Filth at the end of this current tour, and the reasons behind this are conclusions my wife and I came together at long before this week. We simply do not feel like Cradle can provide for our future, and in fact hinders it. Among other reasons it is a lot of work for relatively low pay, the stress is quite high, and we haven’t felt for a while like this band actually prioritizing/caring about members. It has been years of unprofessional behavior from people above us that led to our decision.
“I have also asked all compositions of mine removed from upcoming releases including Ed Sheeran collab. This song feels like foolish clown antics for me at this point anyways- first it was charity single for kids, then for profit single, then on next album, and now who knows and I just do not want to be involved anymore, no disrespect to Ed Sheeran.
“And meanwhile so many ‘brilliant’ Internet brains trying to speculate on personal affairs between me and Zoe– just stop this, please. We are trying to start new chapter.
“And I am going to finish this tour strong! For the fans and for my friends in this band and crew! It is my last ride with Cradle and I am proud to give it my best. I am sad to not share the stage with my wife these last times but I respect why she left and I am happy our friend Kelsey Peters has been given opportunity to shine.
“This is all I have to say for now. Leave my wife alone. NEVER insult her or her choices in my presence… or else”
Wait a second. Does this mean we’ll never get that Ed Sheeran collaboration?!?! Mother fucker! I mean, do what you think is best for you and your loved ones, man but damn it. We’ve been ragging about that thing for years at this point and to have it possibly never come out… that just sucks. Though if it really went from charity track to profit-seeking to just “foolish clown antics” where the release is constantly kicked down the road, then I get it.
Following Smerda’s announcement, the couple shared even more details about the negative experiences they allegedly had in the band. Both said they wanted to warn future members of any supposed chicanery done by Filth and his team. For starters, apparently the pay was very low for their level of perfomance, stating that they made $150/day and roughly $25,000/year. It’s not clear if they were paid in the U.S. dollars or British pounds.
The full comment is as follows:
“A further statement on the departure of myself and Ashok from Cradle of Filth and a warning to our successors- READ THE CONTRACT.
“We planned this transition out of Cradle of Filth months ago. Management is dishonest, manipulative and tries to take money that belongs to us with no contract between us session musicians and him. When I called them out on this attempted theft of album advance money from Screaming of the Valkyries, they called me “cancer” and “dead horse” and threatened to fire me. The frontman does nothing to stop them and hides behind them while they belittle and steal. We hold the frontman responsible for hiring this management and never advocating for his team, only himself. Other ex members try to tiptoe around this and only blame management management works for the frontman.
“He might not get his hands dirty, but in the end, he directs them. The atmosphere he creates is threatening and abusive and constantly exploits us for very low wages yet also demands exclusivity to Cradle’s schedule.
“We do not make even the bare cost of living, yet we are told not to tour with other bands to supplement income. It is madness to keep people locked in poverty for the ego of one person.
“We attach the contract they attempted to trap all session members in for a 25 percent raise (The first raise in 7 years.) Our lawyer called it the most psychopathic contract a session musician could ever be handed. We did not sign and made a decision to leave this year instead.
“So- we left because we were being used and paid less than the cost of living, the environment is toxic and threatening and the toll this was all taking on our lives and our marriage grew too great. The health toll it took on us also led me to miscarry our first pregnancy on tour. We chose to leave to save ourselves and create a better future for our family. Now that we are out- the sun is shining, our family has hope and we hope every session musician who thinks about joining Cradle reads this contract and talks to a lawyer.
“Good luck to whoever tries to make it work next. And remember- we all know the guy who says “All” his exes are crazy- are you sure ALL of them? Or could the problem be you, 40+ people later?
“Farewell to the fans and our fellow session members and crew. They were the only part of this that remain good memories.”
The couple then posted images of the contract they recevied
Neither Cradle of Filth, nor Dani Filth, have posted anything about Smerda’s impending exit from the band. Once a response comes out, we’ll be sure to report on it.
