CRADLE OF FILTH Frontman DANI FILTH Sued By Five Former Bandmates

When Cradle Of Filth keyboardist and backing vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff — who joined the band in 2022 — announced her departure earlier this year, followed shortly afterward by the firing of her husband, guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda, over contractual disputes, social media quickly ignited. Both sides posted lengthy, detailed accounts of what they believed had transpired.

Now, as Abby Jones of Stereogum reports, the dispute is heading to court. On October 1, Federoff revealed the legal complaint she and Ashok filed against Cradle Of Filth and their management company, Oracle. As of this month, the complaint has been amended to include several additional plaintiffs: former COF guitarists Richard Shaw and Paul Allender, former keyboardist/backing vocalist Lindsay Matheson (a.k.a. Lindsay Schoolcraft), and Sasha Baxter (a.k.a. Sasha Massacre), a model who appeared in the band’s videos.

The lawsuit alleges unpaid royalties and the unauthorized use and ongoing commercial exploitation of the plaintiffs’ likenesses on band merchandise. It further claims that several former members were never compensated for studio time on Cradle Of Filth’s last three studio albums — 2017’s Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay, 2021’s Existence Is Futile, and 2025’s The Screaming of the Valkyries. Baxter asserts she was never paid for her appearances in two music videos or for merchandise featuring her image, while Matheson alleges the band continued to use sigils she created without approval or compensation.

The suit also accuses lead vocalist Dani Filth of defamation for publicly stating that Federoff consumed alcohol while pregnant, suggesting that her subsequent miscarriage was caused by alcohol use.

The plaintiffs are requesting a court order requiring the band to cease producing and selling any merchandise featuring their likenesses, and to destroy any existing stock. They are also seeking findings of copyright infringement, defamation, and unjust enrichment, along with compensatory and punitive damages and coverage of attorney’s fees.

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Tags:  cradle of filth, dani filth   

Kenny Fisher    December 01, 2025