Why was Marek Ashok Smerda fired from Cradle of Filth? Guitarist mocks the band's Ed Sheeran collaboration

Cradle of Filth guitarist Marek Ashok Smerda was fired from the band mid-tour after he and his wife Zoe Marie Federoff made statements about the band reportedly offering low pay.

Smerda, in an August 26 Facebook post, addressed his departure from the band, stating:

"I ask you to please respect my wife and myself in this transitional period. 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."

He added,

"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 sttress is quite high, and we haven't felt for a while like this band actually prioritizing/caring about members."

While commenting on the Ed Sheeran collaboration, Marek said,

"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.”

What has Cradle of Filth said about Marek Ashok Smerda's accusations?

Following Marek Ashok Smerda's mismanagement and low pay accusations against Cradle of Filth in a Facebook post, band member Dani Filth, in an Instagram statement, mentioned that the group was in a "state of shock".

Dani, while announcing Marek's exit, said,

"It is with a grave heart that Cradle of Filth officially announce the firing of guitarist Marek Ashok Smerda from the band, effective immediately."

The statement continued,

"Despite all attempts to illegally defame and derail the band, Cradle of Filth WILL NOT cancel any of our South American shows"

Dani requested the fans to bear with the band being with only one guitarist live and assured that Ashok's temporary replacement will be flown out to join the tour in "a few days time."

Dani, while commenting on the rest of the band members, said,

"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."

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Following Smerda and Federoff's individual statements, the two issued another joint statement in which they called the band's management "dishonest" and "manipulating" and warned future members to "read the contract".

They also alleged that the management "tries to take money that belongs to us" and that there is no contract between session musicians and Dani.

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