Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, the guitarist of CRADLE OF FILTH, is set to tie the knot with the band’s female vocalist and keyboardist, Zoë M. Federoff
Federoff, aged 31, who joined CRADLE OF FILTH in 2022, joyfully shared the news of her engagement to the 48-year-old Šmerda on her verified Instagram account.
Zoë wrote: “Happy New Year from a Šmerda and a future Šmerda-2024 will be the last year the name ‘Zoë Federoff‘ exists.
“Forever isn’t long enough.
“#HappyNewYear #AreWeThereYet”.
Federoff later added in a separate post: “First of all, thank you all so much for your warm wishes and congratulations. Secondly, I truly wish I didn’t feel the need to completely clear this up but there’s a lot of strange rumors and stories floating around so, take note: I never knew Ashok before I joined COF. He had nothing to do with me coming on board. I have already written some material for the next COF album so clearly our engagement has nothing to do with my continued stay in this band.
“We have no plans to leave COF as we truly enjoy working together, not to mention working with several of our closest friends. Dani has been the greatest and most supportive leader possible when it comes to our engagement.
“We remain happily committed to his team in COF.
“Now please- stop speculating and spreading rumors and let’s celebrate all the good things happening this year!”
Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Zoë M. Federoff, an American vocalist and songwriter, pursued her formal training in classical vocals at the University Of Findlay in Ohio. Her musical journey includes studying under NIGHTWISH vocalist Floor Jansen.
She launched her first two albums in 2013 and 2017 with the gothic/power metal band INSATIA. Seeking a broader musical horizon, she co-founded the international symphonic metal band CATALYST CRIME in 2017, alongside XANDRIA drummer Gerit Lamm. The lineup featured notable musicians such as Jonah Weingarten of PYRAMAZE, Canadian guitarist Kaelen Sarakinis, American guitarist Chena Roxx, and her unexpected addition, her father Matt Federoff, on bass. Zoe attributes her passion for metal and live performances to her father, considering their professional collaboration as one of the pinnacle achievements of her career.
Beyond her own musical ventures, Zoë has lent her vocals to bands like ATROCITY and THE VIVALDI METAL PROJECT. She has also contributed to writing and editing lyrics for various bands, including SERENITY and CONFIDENTIAL. In her free time, she indulges in hiking, collecting books, and actively engages in political campaign work. Zoe is also an ardent supporter of public education, having served as a classroom teacher and student mentor.
Hailing from Brno, Czech Republic, Šmerda has been the guitarist for CRADLE OF FILTH since early 2014, when he received an invitation to join the band on a European tour. Over the years, he transitioned into a full-time member, contributing to the success of CRADLE OF FILTH‘s albums, including “Hammer Of The Witches,” “Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness Of Decay,” and “Existence Is Futile,” all of which received critical acclaim from both critics and fans.
With over two decades of experience, Ashok has honed his skills through studio sessions and live performances with various bands such as ROOT, EQUIRHODONT, INNER FEAR, and TITANIC. His musical journey has allowed him to develop a distinctive playing style, tone, and songwriting prowess.
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