In a not so unexpected turn of events, Cradle Of Filth have fired their guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda. The band’s vocalist Dani Filth announced the decision on social media this afternoon (August 26th,) stating:
“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“
Ashok had held that role in the band from 2014 up until now. Ashok‘s decision to exit the band followed that of his wife Zoe Marie Federoff, who until this past weekend, handled the keyboards and backing vocal duties for the British extreme gothic metal band.
Federoff quit the band mid-tour on Sunday, August 24th, with Ashok announcing he would be following her out the door at the end of the band’s Latin American tour, which is set to conclude on September 09th.
While Federoff was vague and diplomatic in her initial exit statement, Ashok‘s announcement this morning was much more confrontational. Speaking through his Instagram, Ashok in part stated of he and his wife’s exit:
“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“
Since then, Federoff threw some more fuel on the fire, putting out a second statement, in which she accused Dani Filth and the band’s management of fostering a “threatening”, “abusive” atmosphere that “exploits us for very low wages.” As part of her post, she also shared a contract she claims she and her husband rejected for their services in the band.
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