A completely unexpected mid-tour shake up took place in the Cradle of Filth camp, as keyboardist/vocalist Zoe Marie Federoff announced via social media that she was quitting the band.
The announcement took place yesterday, during which she said she simply couldn’t continue moving forward.
“It is with deep regret I share that for personal reasons I am unable to continue this tour and continue in general with Cradle of Filth.
Please respect my privacy and my family’s privacy. I will answer no further questions. Be kind to my successor. I wish her and my now former bandmates well.
At least, like Roy Khan said over a decade ago, God was there after all.
Yours,
Zoe“
Federoff had been holding down vocals and keyboards for the band since 2022, but the band became a more important part of her life after she fell in love with and married guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda back in January 2024.
With most of the tour still ahead of the band, frontman Dani Filth wished Federoff well before announcing that her vocal replacement would be Kelsey Peters, who was working as a member of the band’s crew.
“Hello Filthlings,
A strange turn of events have manifested out here on tour for CRADLE OF FILTH in South America.
Our keyboardist/backing singer Zoe Smerda has chosen to leave the band mid-tour, effective immediately.
We, of course, wish her all the best for the future and we as a band will continue onward and upward as always with a replacement singer here in Kelsey Peters, one of the very talented CREWDLE members.
In life, one cannot always foresee what the future holds for us, but we will remain ever-professional and continue on with ‘The Screaming Of The Americas’ concerts for our fans without allowing any of this to sully our onward trajectory.
So, our South and Central American brethren, we will see you at the next spat of relentless shows.
The shows have already been incredible in Brazil and we are just so exceptionally appreciative of your massive and passionate attendance, my friends and fiends alike.
Long live the FILTH!
Dani Filth, Buenos Aires, Argentina.”