Six former members of the heavy metal band Cradle of Filth have filed a lawsuit against frontman Dani Filth. This legal action is taking place in Arizona and centers around allegations of misconduct and other financial grievances.
Key Players in the Lawsuit
The suit is mainly led by Zoe Federoff, the former keyboard player, and guitarist Mark ‘Ashok’ Smerda. Both musicians left the band at the end of summer, citing various issues such as:
- Unprofessional behavior
- Low compensation
- High stress levels
Joining them in the lawsuit are:
- Paul Allender – guitarist (1992-1995, 1999-2014)
- Richard Shaw – guitarist (2014-2022)
- Lindsay Mattheson – former keyboard player
- Sasha Massacre – appeared in music videos for “To Live Deliciously” and “Malignant Perfection”
Allegations and Claims
The former band members are alleging several serious violations, including:
- Copyright infringement of their likenesses in merchandise
- Defamation
- Unpaid royalties from live performances
- Unauthorized use of their intellectual property
Dani Filth’s Response
Dani Filth, whose real name is Daniel Lloyd Davey, remains the only original member of Cradle of Filth. Although he has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, he previously addressed claims from Federoff and Smerda. In September, he denied accusations of theft and exploitation via Instagram, stating:
“These allegations are false and damaging. We maintain clear records that show otherwise…”
He expressed a desire to resolve disputes without public drama and offered conciliatory words to the departing members:
“Despite everything, I do wish you well. We shared great times together.”
The Departure of Federoff and Smerda
Federoff and Smerda, a married couple, announced their departure from Cradle of Filth via Instagram in August. They expressed concerns that the band could not support their future. Their exit highlights ongoing frustrations within the band regarding:
- Workload versus compensation
- Professionalism in band dynamics
- Emotional and financial stress
Smerda specifically requested that all his compositions be removed from upcoming releases, including potential collaborations with noted artist Ed Sheeran.
