Dani Filth Opens Up About The Recent Drama With Cradle Of Filth
This story keeps getting messier. Following the departure of guitarist Ashok and his wife, keyboardist Zoë M. Federoff, frontman Dani Filth has opened up about the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Cradle of Filth.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Filth details the issues he faced with the couple, which include heavy drinking, unhinged texts to management, shouting matches, and poor communication about contract negotiations.
“I don’t believe in tit-for-tat or slander, but I do want to clarify the following points:
1. Firstly the contract in question:
This is not a contract that was ever expected to be signed as is, but was the initial framework to build from. I will expand on this further, but I do see that one of the main reasons we are having this situation is because of miscommunication regarding the nature of the contract and what was expected of the parties receiving it.
2. No one in the band is prohibited from working with other groups and substituting their income. We currently schedule tours for about 40% of the year with the rest of the year being available for other commitments. Many of my bandmates have other projects, as can be seen on their own social media pages. WE DO NOT prohibit our musicians from work commitments with other bands, we only ask to plan sufficiently, weaving schedules together as far in advance as the situation allows.
3. I’m sad to see that Zoe is picking facts to fit an agenda but am willing to share the full story including the description of events of the first three days of the South American tour, to show a more balanced picture so that people can make their judgements based on the wider context.
During those first days, heavy drinking, escalating arguments, and repeated public disputes created a very disruptive atmosphere for everyone involved. I personally witnessed heated exchanges between Zoe and Ashok that included both verbal and physical abuse, culminating in a public display in front of the hotel and fans who had gathered for last minute autographs in Sao Paolo. This was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of abusive behavior that strained the entire team.”
He continues: “4. It is important to me that the artists around me feel like their inputs are seen and valued. I do think that for the most part this is the case, as some of the remaining members have been with me for over 10 years. We are however always looking to improve, so I will take what is happening now as an opportunity to have a better dialogue in the band, crafting a more elaborate contract that makes everyone feel comfortable and protected in the future.
5. Addressing the management:
Dez and Anahstasia of The Oracle Management have been nothing short of wonderful. Caring and understanding, relinquishing commissions to make tours work and working closely with the band to deliver us some amazing opportunities, thinking above and outside the proverbial box.
Having failed to fit in the band, Zoe is now attempting to slander and lie about as much as possible to garner dislike for me and our management. Isn’t it easy to accuse without proof in this day and age when everybody is a such a well-versed online critic? I can only begin to imagine what else I will be accused of as she seeks to destroy this band and business.
Dez is very honest, transparent and truthful and doesn’t get paid until I allow the accountant to pay him. This means everything goes through my accountant and then said accountant sifts through all the financial numbers to see what can and cannot be afforded. Dez never handles any of the moneys coming in.”
Filth goes on to discuss the contract that the former band members questioned in detail. Read Filth’s full statement below.
