The long and often turbulent history of Cradle of Filth’s lineup has taken another dramatic turn. Known for its frequent member changes with frontman Dani Filth as the sole constant, the band is now in turmoil as two members have abruptly quit in the middle of their South American tour, leveling serious allegations against the band’s frontman and its management. The fallout has been swift, public, and has left even Filth himself reportedly shocked.

A Sudden Exit and Escalating Tensions

The series of events began on Monday when keyboardist and vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff announced her immediate departure from the band, initially without providing a specific reason. Shortly after, her husband, guitarist Marek ‘Ashok’ Smerda, announced that he would also be leaving Cradle of Filth, though he intended to finish the current tour.

However, Smerda made it clear his decision was not personal but was based on severe issues with the band’s leadership. In an Instagram post, he cited “years of unprofessional behavior from people above us” as the catalyst. He also demanded his compositions be removed from all upcoming releases, including the highly anticipated collaboration with Ed Sheeran. “That song feels like a foolish clown posse to me anyway,” Smerda wrote. “First it was a charity single for kids, then a for-profit single, then it was on the next album—and now, who knows? I don’t want to be a part of it anymore.”

Allegations of a Toxic and Abusive Environment

Following Smerda’s post, the situation deteriorated rapidly. Rather than allowing him to complete the tour, Dani Filth fired him. The conflict then exploded online as Federoff released a lengthy joint statement detailing the couple’s grievances, painting a picture of a deeply toxic and exploitative work environment.

“We have been planning this exit from Cradle of Filth for months,” Federoff stated. She accused the band’s management of being “dishonest, manipulative, and trying to take money that belongs to us,” all without a formal contract in place for the session musicians. According to Federoff, when she confronted management about an “attempted theft of the advance” for an album, she was called a “cancer” and a “dead horse” and threatened with dismissal.

The statement placed ultimate responsibility on the frontman. “The frontman does nothing to stop them and hides behind them while they degrade and rob us,” she wrote. “He may not get his hands dirty, but he is ultimately directing them. The atmosphere he creates is threatening and abusive.”

Federoff also revealed devastating personal details, claiming she recently suffered a miscarriage due to the stress of the tour, which was the final catalyst for her immediate departure.

Financial Disputes and a “Psychopathic” Contract

The couple detailed their financial struggles, claiming they were paid well below a living wage—approximately £150 (about $190 USD) per workday, totaling around £25,000 (about $31,500 USD) annually—while the band demanded total exclusivity, preventing them from touring with other artists to supplement their income. “It’s madness to keep people in poverty for one person’s ego,” Federoff wrote.

They also shared a proposed new contract that included a 25% pay raise, which they said was the first offered in seven years. However, they refused to sign it, stating their lawyer described it as “the most psychopathic contract a session musician could ever be given.” Federoff concluded, “So we left because we were being exploited and paid below a living wage, and the work environment is toxic and threatening.”

Dani Filth Responds, Fires Guitarist

Dani Filth responded the same day, expressing his dismay at the public turn of events. “We are all shocked by what is happening and will be presenting our side of the story in due course,” he wrote on Instagram. He defended his decision to terminate Smerda immediately, asking fans to “respect our decision to part ways with Ashok now and not at the end of the tour.”

Filth stood by his team, adding, “The allegations against management, who work very closely with myself and the band, are completely unfair and unfounded.” He ended his statement with a promise of more to come: “Patience is a virtue, and the truth will always come out.”

With the tour continuing with fill-in musicians, fans are left watching a public and bitter dispute unfold, casting a dark shadow over the future of the iconic metal band.