CRADLE OF FILTH, those purveyors of symphonic black metal (or whatever Dani Filth is calling it these days), graced Montevideo, Uruguay with their presence on August 26th. This momentous occasion marked their first concert post-Ashok-geddon, just hours after the Czech-born axe-slinger dramatically announced his exit. Fan-filmed video, bless their souls, is available below for your viewing displeasure. Prepare for shaky cams and questionable audio quality! 🤘
Šmerda, who apparently endured a decade with CRADLE OF FILTH (someone get this man a medal 🏅), was ceremoniously yeeted from the band by none other than Dani Filth himself. The reason? Ashok dared to suggest on social media that being in CRADLE OF FILTH was, gasp, “a lot of work for relatively low pay.” Oh, the audacity! He also whined about stress and a lack of band camaraderie. Maybe he should have joined a polka band instead? 🤷
But wait, there’s more! Ashok, in a fit of artistic pique, demanded his contributions be “removed” from all of CRADLE OF FILTH‘s “upcoming releases,” including that highly anticipated (or not) collaboration with pop sensation Ed Sheeran. Apparently, Ashok found the song to be “foolish clown antics.” Pot calling the kettle black, much?🤡 “No disrespect to Ed Sheeran,” he added, probably while rolling his eyes so hard he could see his brain.
Speaking of drama queens, Ashok‘s departure came a mere two days after his wife, Zoë M. Federoff, peaced out mid-tour. Federoff, who served as CRADLE OF FILTH‘s female vocalist and keyboardist for a whole three years (talk about dedication!), cited “personal reasons.” Translation: things got awkward. She also denied rumors that marital strife was the cause. Sure, Jan. 👀
In a joint statement that probably took longer to write than their actual time in the band, Šmerda and Federoff accused CRADLE‘s management of being “dishonest” and “manipulative.” They even went so far as to warn future members to “read the contract.” You don’t say! Who would have thought contracts are important? 🙄
The couple, who got engaged in 2024 and tied the knot in January (because why not add more drama to the mix?), are clearly living their best lives… by airing their dirty laundry on social media. 🧺
Dani, never one to be outdone in the drama department, responded to Ashok‘s statement by announcing his immediate dismissal. He insisted that CRADLE OF FILTH would not cancel any shows, despite Ashok‘s “attempts to illegally defame and derail the band.” Illegally? Really, Dani? Get a grip. He then added that fans would have to “bear with us being a band with only one guitarist live.” Oh, the horror!😱 A temporary replacement is supposedly being flown out, because apparently guitarists grow on trees. 🌳
Dani, in his infinite wisdom, asked for understanding during this “horrible matter.” He also implored fans to “avoid speculation” while simultaneously promising to share his side of the story “in due course.” Translation: get ready for a lengthy, self-serving rant. He also defended the band’s management, calling the accusations “completely unjust and unfounded.” Of course, he did. 🙄
CRADLE OF FILTH‘s Uruguayan concert saw Dani joined by the usual suspects: Martin “Marthus” Škaroupka on drums, Daniel Firth on bass, Donny Burbage on guitar, and Kelsey Peters on keyboards and backing vocals. Because apparently one guitarist is enough… for now. 🤷
Who will temporarily fill Šmerda‘s pointy boots remains a mystery. But one thing is certain: the CRADLE OF FILTH drama train keeps chugging along! 🚂
Born in Brno, Czech Republic, Šmerda apparently had the misfortune of joining CRADLE OF FILTH in 2014. Since then, he’s toured the world and contributed to such groundbreaking albums as “Hammer Of The Witches”, “Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness Of Decay”, “Existence Is Futile” and “The Screaming Of The Valkyries”. You know, the classics. 😉
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
