Two members of the metal band Cradle of Filth have left the band, despite the fact that their tour is in full swing.
Keyboardist Zoë M. Federoff quit for ‘personal reasons’ a few days ago, telling fans that she ‘deeply regretted’ that she couldn’t be able to continue with the tour.
Now the metal group has announced that they have fired her husband and guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, despite his reassurance to fans that he would continue with the band’s South American tour, which continued, as scheduled, on Tuesday in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Dani Filth announced via the band’s Instagram page: ‘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.’
The post called the incident a ‘horrible matter’, adding that they were in a ‘state of shock’ but the rest of the band ‘is cool, if taken aback.’
Dani added: ‘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.’
Before being fired, Šmerda announced that he would be leaving the band after the tour, detailing the number of reasons that he and his wife felt the band wasn’t working for them.
‘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 added that he has also ‘no disrespect’ to Ed Sheeran, but did not want to be included in a collaboration with him any longer.
‘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.
He added that it was nothing to do with his marriage to his fellow bandmate: ‘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.’
Zoe and Šmerda also released a follow-up joint statement accusing management of being ‘dishonest’and ‘manipulative’ and sharing images of their alleged contracts on social media. The band denied any management wrongdoing.
The band was formed in Suffolk in 1991 and has had various members over the years.
At present, there are five members of the band, and there have been 27 former members, including the late Jon Kennedy and Stuart Anstis.
The band’s original members consisted of vocalist Dani Filth, guitarist Paul Ryan, keyboardist Ben Ryan (Paul’s brother), bassist John Pritchard and drummer Darren Gardner.
The group is best known for their hits: Her Ghost in the Fog, Beneath the Howling Stars and Cruelty Brought Thee Orchid.
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