English extreme metal band Cradle of Filth has found itself embroiled in more legal battles.
This comes after former keyboardist/backing singer Zoë M. Federoff and her husband and guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda both exited the band in August, describing management as “dishonest” and “manipulative” and claiming low pay.
Now, the couple are among a group of former members who are suing lead singer Dani Filth and the band in federal court in Arizona, charging they haven’t been compensated for the use of their names and likelinesses on merchandize.
The suit, which surfaced on Reddit and was later reported by The PRP, names Filth and associated companies, as well as the band’s manager, The Oracle Management — a company headed by Coal Chamber/DevilDriver vocalist Bradley “Dez” Fafara and his wife Anahstasia Fafara.
It was filed Sept. 30 and recently amended Nov. 20.
The allegations include copyright infringement, misappropriation of likeness, defamation, and unjust enrichment. They were made by five former band members and a sixth person who performed in Cradle of Filth music videos.
Beyond Federoff and Smerda, those suing include guitarist Paul Allender, who played with the band from 1992 to 1995 and 1999 to 2014; guitarist Richard Shaw, a member from 2014 and 2022; keyboardist Lindsay Matheson, a member from 2013 to 2020; and Sasha Baxter (aka Sasha Massacre), who appeared in videos for the songs “To Live Deliciously” and “Malignant Perfection.”
In the suit, the former band members claim they never signed an agreement allowing the band or the associated businesses to use them in merchandizing and that they were not adequately compensated. They are seeking monetary damages.
Dani Filth and the companies mentioned in the lawsuit have yet to make a public statement.