The recent tour for Cradle of Filth has been overshadowed by internal conflict, culminating in the mid-tour departure of two long-time members and public accusations of “unprofessional behavior.” The band has now moved forward, performing its first concert since the dramatic firing of guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, who had been with the group for over a decade.
The controversy began when Ashok‘s wife, former Cradle of Filth keyboardist and vocalist Zoë Marie Federoff, abruptly left the band. Shortly after, Ashok himself publicly announced his intention to depart at the end of the current Latin American tour. In a statement, he cited low pay, high stress, and years of “unprofessional behavior” from the band’s management as his reasons for leaving. He also revealed that he had requested his musical compositions be removed from all future releases, including the much-publicized collaboration with Ed Sheeran.
Following this public announcement, frontman Dani Filth responded by immediately firing the guitarist. In his statement, Dani accused Ashok of attempting to “defame and derail the band,” while assuring fans that the “Screaming of the Américas” tour would continue as planned.
The recent departures follow a series of scathing critiques from Federoff, who described the band’s internal environment as manipulative and dishonest. She claimed that the band’s management kept members on “poverty wages” while pressuring them not to tour with other projects to supplement their income. Federoff further revealed that the stressful environment had even led to her suffering a miscarriage while on tour, which she described as an “abusive and unsustainable” atmosphere.
Despite the highly public controversy, Cradle of Filth played its first show since the dramatic personnel changes in Montevideo, Uruguay. The band performed with a one-guitar lineup, though Dani Filth confirmed a temporary replacement will be joining the tour soon. The band has vowed to continue its tour despite the turmoil, signaling a new and difficult chapter.
Cradle of Filth Setlist for the night was as follows (via Setlist.fm):
- “To Live Deliciously”
- “The Forest Whispers My Name”
- “She Is a Fire”
- “Malignant Perfection”
- “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh”
- “Heartbreak and Seance”
- “Nymphetamine (Fix)”
- “Born in a Burial Gown”
- “White Hellebore”
- “Creatures That Kissed in Cold Mirrors / The Monstrous Sabbat (Summoning the Coven)”
- “Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids”
- “Death Magick for Adepts”
- “Her Ghost in the Fog”
Cradle of Filth Upcoming Live Shows:
Latin America
- August 28 – Teatro Coliseo in Santiago, Chile
- August 29 – Havana Eventos in Concepción, Chile
- August 31 – Centro de Convenciones Teatro Leguia in Cercado De Lima, Peru
- September 2 – Teatro Royal Center in Bogota, Colombia
- September 4 – Latitude 47 in Panamá, Panama
- September 6 – Pepper Disco Club in Zapote, Costa Rica
- September 7 – Municipal Gym Adolfo Pineda in Santa Tecla, El Salvador
- September 9 – Industry Park in Guatemala, Guatemala
Mexico
- September 11 – Magno Center in Ciudad Obregón, Mexico
- September 12 – Pistoleros House Of Show in Chihuahua, Mexico
- September 13 – Centro de Convenciones de Torreón in Torreón, Mexico
- September 14 – Cafe Iguana in Monterrey, Mexico
- September 17 – Foro Independencia in Guadalajara, Mexico
- September 18 – Centro de Convenciones María Dolores in San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- September 19 – Teatro Manuel Doblado in León, Mexico
- September 20 – Foro Arpa in Santiago De Querétaro, Mexico
- September 21 – La guarida del rock in Heroica Puebla De Zaragoza, Mexico
- September 24 – Foro Boca in Boca Del Río, Mexico
- September 26 – Yucatán Siglo XXI Convention Centre in Mérida, Mexico
- September 27 – Teatro Quimera in Metepec, Mexico
- September 28 – CARPA VELODROMO in Ciudad De México, Mexico
Europe
- November 17 – Komplex in Zurich, Switzerland
- November 18 – Backstage in München, Germany
- November 20 – Simm City in Vienna, Austria
- November 21 – Music Club B17 in Poznań, Poland
- November 22 – Šeříkovka in Plzeň-město, Czechia
- November 24 – Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany
- November 25 – Amager Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark
- November 26 – Fryshuset Klubben in Stockholm, Sweden
- November 28 – John Smith Rock Festival in Jyväskylä, Finland
- November 29 – Unholy Winter Fest 2025 in Joensuu, Finland
- December 1 – Pustervik in Göteborg, Sweden
- December 2 – Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, Norway
