Cradle of Filth Members Exit Band Over “Unprofessional Behavior” And “Foolish” Ed Sheeran Collaboration

Two members of Cradle of Filth, keyboardist Zoë M. Federoff and guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, have abruptly left the band amid their South American tour, citing “unprofessional behavior,” low pay, and dissatisfaction with an Ed Sheeran collaboration. Federoff announced her departure earlier this week due to “personal reasons,” and the band revealed on Tuesday (August 26) that they have fired her husband Šmerda, who had been a member of the English metal band since 2014. “I have asked all compositions of mine removed from upcoming releases including Ed Sheeran collab,” Šmerda wrote on Instagram, while explaining, “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.” Cradle of Filth affirmed that their tour would continue with a temporary replacement for Šmerda and a new keyboardist already joining the band. (Rolling Stone)