CRADLE OF FILTH’s Ashok Departs, Zoe Marie Federoff Speaks Out On “Abusive” Band Environment

The lineup of Cradle Of Filth has unraveled further this week, as guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda has confirmed that he will also be parting ways with the band. His departure follows the abrupt mid-tour exit of his wife, keyboardist/vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff, who bowed out just days into the band’s ongoing Latin American run.

Federoff shocked fans on August 24th when she announced that “for personal reasons” she could no longer continue the tour—or remain with the band at all. Shortly afterward, frontman Dani Filth responded to her statement on social media, calling it a “strange turn of events” while assuring fans the tour would continue with a replacement.

Now, both Federoff and Šmerda have spoken out in greater detail, accusing Filth and his management team of fostering what they describe as a toxic and exploitative environment.

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In a lengthy statement, Federoff alleged that band management engaged in financial manipulation and threats, while Dani Filth “hid” behind them instead of standing up for his bandmates. She claimed that the atmosphere was “threatening and abusive” and that members were kept in poverty wages while being pressured into exclusivity. Federoff also revealed that the toll of the situation led her to miscarry during a previous tour.

Šmerda has now confirmed his own exit, which will take place at the conclusion of the band’s current Latin American tour on September 9th in Guatemala City. While he intends to finish the run for the sake of fans and crew, he echoed many of his wife’s criticisms in his own message:

“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.”

He went on to reveal that he has requested the removal of his compositions from upcoming releases, including the much-discussed Ed Sheeran collaboration:

“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.”

Šmerda also called for fans to stop speculating about his personal life with Federoff, adding:

“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 [a] 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.”

Both Federoff and Šmerda had been with Cradle Of Filth since 2022 and married earlier this year. Their joint departure marks yet another shakeup in the band’s frequently shifting lineup, leaving Dani Filth and the remaining members to carry forward amid mounting scrutiny from fans and ex-members alike.

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