For anyone needing a hit of good news, I have something for you. Metal and matrimony have come together in Tucson, Arizona. Cradle of Filth guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda and keyboardist/vocalist Zoë M Federoff officially became Mr. and Mrs. Smerda. The two said “I do” on January 10 surrounded by family, friends, and, of course, the dark lord of goth himself, Dani Filth.
Filth wasted no time celebrating the couple on Instagram, posting snapshots from the day and keeping his caption as peak Filth as possible. “We had an absolutely wonderful day yesterday celebrating Ashok and Zoë’s marriage amidst a plethora of family and friends,” he wrote. “The reception and party were fantastic—today calls for comfort food and a whopping big band-aid.”
The newlyweds shared their own updates online, with Ashok writing, “A new chapter of our life has begun.” Zoë, meanwhile, let the photos do most of the talking—gothic romance on full display. But if you’re wondering if this love story started backstage, think again.
Last year, Zoë set the record straight after their engagement announcement sparked whispers. “We didn’t know each other before I joined Cradle of Filth,” she clarified. “Our engagement has nothing to do with my place in the band.” Translation: It wasn’t a case of nepotism—it was a killer combo of love and riffs.
The wedding comes just as Cradle of Filth gears up to drop their new album, The Screaming of the Valkyries, in April. While the world is still waiting for that long-teased Ed Sheeran collab, Filth confirmed it won’t be on the album. “We don’t want it overshadowing the record,” he explained. “But it’s fucking fantastic. Only a handful of people have heard it—my mum hasn’t even heard it.” Ed Sheeran x Cradle of Filth? We’re not ready, but we’re definitely intrigued.
The day wasn’t just a personal milestone for Ashok and Zoë—it felt like a reminder of the humanity beneath the black metal. Fans flooded the couple’s posts with congratulations, calling it “true love for the dark-hearted” and “a match made in metal heaven.”
With a wedding behind them and new music ahead, the couple’s kicking off 2025 with momentum. Whether it’s head-banging or happily ever after, Cradle of Filth is proving they can do it all.
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