Former Cradle of Filth guitarist Marek ‘Ashok’ Šmerda recently opened up about his new role as bassist for Leaves’ Eyes. He shared his initial hesitations about returning to the stage in a statement posted on Instagram.
The musician revealed his reservations about performing again following his departure from his previous band. He explained how his recent performance helped reignite his passion for music.
“About yesterday – my premiere with Leaves’ Eyes – this time as stepping in bassist,” Šmerda said. “Due to obvious circumstances related to the previous band I was part of I surely have not been in a hurry to get back on stage at all. Maybe this is unexpected confession but I had not missed performing and when such opportunity called – I was not honestly sure stage was still for me.”
The guitarist-turned-bassist went on to describe how his perspective changed after performing with his new bandmates.
“Then I realized that no life role is either good or bad – it is about the people we share and deal with that make it good or bad for us … and yesterday I shared stage with damn great people,” he continued. “That has made all the difference and I found myself remembering why in first place I fell in love with performing music.”
Šmerda concluded his statement by expressing gratitude for the experience and looking ahead to future performances.
“This performance brought back a passion for me I lost and I cannot thank enough to the great people who made it such a great time,” he said. “This is what music should be about, creating something awesome with people you respect and admire. Looking forwards to the next shows!”
Šmerda’s transition to Leaves’ Eyes marks a significant career shift following his turbulent exit from the extreme metal scene.
Ultimate Metal reported that the Czech musician is joining Leaves’ Eyes as a bassist to fill in for Dominik Prykiel during their upcoming European/UK tour. This represents a notable instrument change for Šmerda, who built his reputation as a guitarist over more than a decade in extreme metal.
Born in 1975 in Brno, Czech Republic, Šmerda had established himself as a key creative force during his time with Cradle of Filth. MOOER Audio noted that he joined the British symphonic black metal band in 2014. He contributed to several critically acclaimed albums including Hammer of the Witches (2015), Existence Is Futile (2017), and Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay (2021).
However, his departure from Cradle of Filth was far from amicable. Guitar World revealed that Šmerda and his wife Zoe Marie Federoff left the band over issues including poor pay, high stress, and what they described as unprofessional behavior. The situation escalated when The PRP confirmed that Cradle of Filth fired Šmerda in 2025 after he announced his plans to quit the band.
The musician’s comments about his recent performance with Leaves’ Eyes suggest he has found a more positive environment that has rekindled his passion for live music. His willingness to switch from guitar to bass demonstrates his commitment to moving forward and embracing new musical challenges after the difficulties he experienced with his former band.
