The storm around Cradle of Filth has raged for more than a week, with leaked group chats, contract disputes, and bitter back and forth posts tearing through the band’s usually theatrical image. Now frontman Dani Filth has attempted to close the book, issuing what he calls his “final statement” on the matter.
The saga kicked off mid-tour when keyboardist Zoë Federoff announced her departure during the band’s South American run. Federoff kept her initial message light, asking fans to be kind to her successor. But soon after, both she and guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda elaborated. Ashok revealed he intended to leave after the tour, requested his compositions be pulled, and then publicly aired grievances with management.
That decision cost him his spot before the run was over. Filth responded by calling their remarks an attempt to “illegally defame and derail the band.” Federoff escalated days later, sharing screenshots of the band’s group chat and labelling the environment “toxic.” She also posted a contract she claimed her lawyer called “the most psychopathic contract a session musician could ever be handed.”
Filth countered with a lengthy post defending the band, dismissing the accusations, and levelling claims of his own. The cycle spiralled further until this week, when he addressed fans once more on Instagram:
“After a long day of reflection on the road, I want to make one final statement about recent events.
First, I’ll acknowledge that in my last message I let fatigue and frustration steer me into sharing more personal detail than was probably necessary. For that, I apologise. The truth of my account remains, but out of respect for everyone involved, I will not be commenting further on personal matters in public.”
Filth denied allegations of theft and exploitation, condemned “trial by social media,” and added that his mother’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis has made the online onslaught harder to bear. He ended by wishing Zoë and Ashok well, while insisting the band would not be defined by “unfounded slander.”
Both ex-members replied. Federoff said their focus remains on “business issues,” adding: “We will probably and unfortunately see you next in court.” Ashok was blunter: “I wish I could see a man when I look at you, Dan, but I don’t. I see excuses.”
