Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

THE TRUTH ABOUT: Marek ashok smerda - The Untold Story

“Our lawyer called it the most psychopathic contract a session musician could ever be handed”: Six former Cradle of Filth members file lawsuit against Dani Filth and the band’s management

The lawsuit comes after two members quit the band in August amid allegations of poor pay and “psychopathic” contracts

Guitar World · Dec 1, 2025

Former Cradle of Filth members file lawsuit against Dani Filth after period or turmoil

Complicated Cradle of Filth falling out is exposed in legal papers

Metal Hammer · Nov 29, 2025

“The most psychopathic contract a session musician could ever be handed”: Cradle of Filth guitarist Ashok fired mid-tour, days after keyboardist wife Zoë Marie Federoff quits citing low pay and “toxic” atmosphere

Frontman Dani Filth says accusations “unfounded” and fired Marek 'Ashok' Šmerda after Ashok echoed wife's complaints, slammed Ed Sheeran collab and said he was leaving at the end of the tour

MusicRadar · Aug 27, 2025

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

“It is madness to keep people locked in poverty for the ego of one person”: Cradle of Filth members quit over alleged poor pay and “psychopathic” contract – and push back on release of Ed Sheeran collab

Cradle of Filth have issued a statement in response, saying that guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda has been fired

Guitar World · Aug 27, 2025

Cradle Of Filth guitarist fired following vicious statement days after keyboardist wife’s departure

Marek “Ashok” Šmerda has been let go after strongly criticising the band’s business practices, with singer Dani Filth calling the guitarist’s words defamatory

Metal Hammer · Aug 27, 2025

“You’ve gotta be able to learn the songs by ear – especially with Cradle of Filth. The tabs online are terrible”: Cradle Of Filth’s Donny Burbage and Marek ‘Ashok’ Šmerda on their theatrical metal roles – and what modern players miss about Marshalls

The hands that rock the Cradle reveal the guitar tonesbehind their theatrical metal mayhem and find modern guitars are weak and false

Guitar World · May 21, 2025

"Marriage is f*cking metal." Cradle of Filth members Marek Šmerda and Zoë Federoff married in Arizona

Cradle of Filth guitarist and keyboardist tied the knot in Tucson, Arizona

Metal Hammer · Jan 13, 2025

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Coverage From

People

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

Topics

Places

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.