Five Former Cradle Of Filth Members File Lawsuit Against Dani Filth & Associated Companies

The not-so-fun times continue for extreme metal outfit Cradle Of Filth, with six former members filing a lawsuit against frontman Dani Filth, the band, and their associated companies.

In August, keyboardist and vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff left the band mid-tour. Initially, she was sparse on details, but as time went on, she publicly made accusations of mistreatment by the band’s management, The Oracle Management, which is led by Coal Chamber vocalist Bradley “Dez” Fafara and his wife Anahstasia Fafara.

Federoff’s husband, guitarist Marek “Ashok” Smerda, initially stayed in the band. However, he began making accusations and was fired by Dani Filth just days after Federoff’s departure.

The pair continued to share allegations against the band and its management on social media, including claims of a “threatening” work environment and low wages.

Following a social media-led back-and-forth between the couple and Dani Filth, it appears that Federoff and Ashok have joined forces with other former members of the band to launch a lawsuit. The suit first appeared on Reddit, was initially reported by The PRP, and can be viewed on Jotta Cloud.

A lawsuit has been filed against Dani Filth, the band’s associated companies, and The Oracle Management. Initially filed in Arizona in late September, the suit was amended last week (20 November).

Plaintiffs include Federoff and Ashok, plus additional former members of Cradle Of Filth, such as guitarist Paul Allender (1992-1995, 1999-2014), keyboardist/vocalist Lindsay Matheson (aka Lindsay Schoolcraft), who was in the band from 2013 to 2020, and guitarist Richard Shaw (2014-2022), as well as Sasha Baxter (aka Sasha Massacre), a model who appeared in the band’s To Live Deliciously and Malignant Perfection music videos.

Defendants named in the suit are vocalist Dani Filth (aka Daniel Lloyd Davey), The Oracle Management, Cradle Of Filth Touring Limited, and Cradle Of Filth LLP. Together, the plaintiffs have levelled allegations of copyright infringement, misappropriation of likeness, defamation, unjust enrichment, and unpaid royalties.

The former band members allege that they never signed an agreement regarding the use of their names, likenesses, or images on the band’s merchandise and claim they were unfairly compensated for their likenesses appearing on Cradle Of Filth merchandise.

The plaintiffs seek to hold the defendants liable for alleged misappropriation of likeness, destruction or loss of audio equipment, unjust enrichment, and compensatory damages for reputational harm, emotional distress, loss of income, and business opportunities. They also request a jury trial and punitive damages.

Representatives for Cradle Of Filth haven’t yet commented on the lawsuit.