Cradle Of Filth are facing another major lineup shake-up as guitarist Marek "Ashok" Šmerda has confirmed that he will leave the band at the end of their current Latin American tour. His announcement comes just days after his wife, Zoë M. Federoff, bowed out mid-tour, stepping away from her role as the band's female vocalist and keyboardist after three years.
In a candid statement shared on social media today (August 26), Ashok explained that he and Federoff had long planned their departure, citing ongoing frustrations within the group.
"Dear fans and friends, I ask you to please respect my wife and myself in this transitional period," he began. "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."
Ashok also revealed he has asked for all his compositions to be removed from upcoming releases, including the band's much-discussed collaboration with Ed Sheeran, which he dismissed as "foolish clown antics."
"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."
Despite the acrimony, Ashok insisted he will finish his tenure with pride: "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."
Ashok also addressed online rumors surrounding his and Federoff's relationship: "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. Leave my wife alone. NEVER insult her or her choices in my presence… or else."
When Federoff first announced her departure, she cited "personal reasons." However, after fan speculation, she later clarified via social media: "A couple clarifying points… Ashok isn't cheating. While the turmoil of being in the band has taken its toll on us, we remain very much certain that we love each other. Please be kind to my husband. He is a good man. We were already planning to leave the band later this year. Certain events have sped that up for me."
Cradle Of Filth frontman Dani Filth also confirmed the shake-up, revealing that the band has already tapped a temporary replacement: "A strange turn of events have manifested out here on tour for Cradle Of Filth in South America. Our keyboardist/backing singer Zoe Smerda has chosen to leave the band mid-tour, effective immediately. We, of course, wish her all the best for the future. And we as a band will continue onward and upward as always, with a replacement singer here in Kelsey Peters, one of the very talented CREWDLE members."
Ashok, who joined Cradle Of Filth in 2014, and Federoff, who came onboard in 2022, have now both exited the group within days of each other (or announced their intention to exit). Their departure raises questions about the band's next era as Dani Filth continues to steer the gothic extreme metal institution forward.
The couple, who married in January 2023 in Federoff's hometown of Tucson, Arizona, are now focusing on their future beyond the band, closing a turbulent chapter with Cradle Of Filth while promising to finish strong for fans on the road.
