Six Former Cradle Of Filth Members File Lawsuit Against Dani Filth
Legendary British band Cradle Of Filth is at the center of a high-profile legal scandal. Six former members have filed a collective lawsuit against frontman Dani Filth, as well as the associated companies — Cradle Of Filth Touring Limited and Cradle Of Filth LLP. The lawsuit also mentions the band’s management — The Oracle Management.
The initial lawsuit was filed in September 2025 and was updated in November. The main complaints of the former members concern unpaid royalties, unauthorized use of their images and names in merchandise and music videos, as well as damage to personal property.
The plaintiffs include Zoe Marie Federoff, the band’s keyboardist, and her husband Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, a former guitarist. They are joined by former guitarists Paul Allender and Richard Shaw, keyboardist and vocalist Lindsay Matheson (aka Lindsay Schoolcraft), and Sasha Baxter, who appeared in music videos and performances. The combined tenure of these members spans decades of Cradle Of Filth history, making the lawsuit particularly significant.
The lawsuit lists several key claims. The main one is the unauthorized use of the members’ names and images for merchandise sales, including t-shirts, posters, and vinyl records. The plaintiffs claim they never signed agreements allowing such use and have not received any compensation.
Additionally, the former members are seeking royalties and fees for recordings and live performances they participated in. Lindsay Matheson states that the band used her visual symbols and artwork without permission. Sasha Baxter complains about the commercial exploitation of music videos in which she appeared without payment. The lawsuit also mentions damaged equipment and refusal to provide financial documents.
Federoff and Šmerda explained their departure in August 2025 due to low pay, high stress, and a feeling that their contributions were not valued. Šmerda specifically noted that after Cradle Of Filth collaborated with pop star Ed Sheeran, the atmosphere in the band became tense and the future of the group uncertain.
As of now, there has been no official response from Dani Filth or the band’s management. Previously, the frontman claimed that the contracts were only drafts and signed in haste, and that the allegations were unfounded. He also stated that he wished his former colleagues “all the best.”
This legal dispute, involving several former musicians, covers multiple types of rights: copyright, related rights, image rights, and royalties. Experts note that the case could set a precedent in the music industry, especially for bands with frequent lineup changes, and highlight the importance of legal regulation of relationships between musicians and management, even in genres like extreme metal.
🔥 Stay tuned — this case promises to be one of the biggest scandals in the metal world in 2025.
