Cradle Of Filth have fired guitarist Marek ‘Ashok’ Smerda with speedy impact.
Dani Filth has hit again after Cradle of Filth’s guitarist give up
Smerda posted a message on-line on Tuesday (26.08.25) confirming his plans to exit the group as soon as their stay exhibits are full after his spouse – the band’s keyboardist Zoe Marie Federoff – additionally give up this week with the musician claiming they did not wish to proceed working “excessive” stress jobs for “comparatively low pay”.
Nonetheless, shortly after the announcement the band’s frontman Dani Filth posted a message declaring Smerda had now been sacked with speedy impact. The assertion – posted on the band’s Instagram web page – learn: “It’s with a grave coronary heart that Cradle Of Filth formally announce the firing of guitarist Marek ‘Ashok’ Smerda from the band, efficient instantly.
“Regardless of all makes an attempt to illegally defame and derail the band, Cradle Of Filth WILL NOT cancel any of our South American exhibits, although followers should bear with us being a band with just one guitarist stay, that’s in fact till Ashok’s momentary alternative is flown out to affix the tour in a number of days time.
“Thanks in your understanding on this horrible matter, we’re all in a state of shock over proceedings and can share our facet to those unlucky occasions sooner or later.
“Please, respect our determination to half with Ashok now quite than on the finish of the tour and keep away from hypothesis as extra readability on the scenario shall be supplied.
“The remainder of the band are cool, even when shocked, and accusations towards administration, who work very carefully with me and the band are fully unjust and unfounded.
“Endurance is a advantage and the reality will all the time out … “
The assertion was posted shortly after the guitarist shared his personal message on Instagram, which learn: “Pricey followers and associates, I ask you to please respect my spouse and myself on this transitional interval.
“I’m certainly leaving Cradle of Filth on the finish of this present tour, and the explanations behind this are conclusions my spouse and I got here collectively at lengthy earlier than this week.
“We merely don’t really feel like Cradle can present for our future, and actually hinders it. Amongst different causes it’s a number of work for comparatively low pay, the stress is sort of excessive, and we haven’t felt for some time like this band truly prioritizing/caring about members.
“It has been years of unprofessional habits from individuals above us that led to our determination.”
He went on to disclose he desires all of his “compositions” faraway from the band’s upcoming releases – together with their new collaboration with pop star Ed Sheeran.
Smerda added: “I’ve additionally requested all compositions of mine faraway from upcoming releases together with Ed Sheeran collab. This music looks like silly clown antics for me at this level anyhow – first it was charity single for youths, then for revenue single, then on subsequent album, and now who is aware of and I simply don’t wish to be concerned anymore, no disrespect to Ed Sheeran.
“And in the meantime so many “good” Web brains making an attempt to take a position on private affairs between me and Zoe- simply cease this, please. We are attempting to start out new chapter.
“And I’m going to complete this tour sturdy! For the followers and for my associates on this band and crew! It’s my final trip with Cradle and I’m proud to offer it my finest … “