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Marek (Ashok) Šmerda (ex-Cradle of Filth, ex-Root, ex-Equirhodont, ex-Titanic) to appear on upcoming Sigurður album

Posted by Hypnotic Dirge Records on Thursday, September 17, 2026 Under: Sigurður
As we’ve alluded to recently, the forthcoming debut album from the Czech-Icelandic black metal project Sigurður features multiple noteworthy guests from the international black metal scene.

Today we begin revealing those guests with none other than legendary Czech guitarist Ashok. Known as an integral member of one of the earliest Czech black metal bands Root (1999-2014), he also served as one of Cradle of Filth’s longest-tenured guitarists (2014-2025). During that period he played a key role in shaping the band’s sound on the series of albums - "Hammer of the Witches", "Cryptoriana", "Existence Is Futile" and "The Screaming of the Valkyries", when Cradle maintained a mostly consistent lineup. Ashok was also a pivotal member of the band Equirhodont and a recent contributor to Titanic among others!

On Sigurður's upcoming record, Ashok contributes the opening guitar solo on the track “Kólga”, which will premiere this Friday.
“Kólga” also prominently features the vocals of Veronika Rovná from the Prague National Theatre. In the days ahead we will share more insight into Veronika’s participation, but for today we let Ashok speak about the collaboration in his own words. Watch here



The debut Sigurður album "Niu lif Einars Hrafns" (Nine Lives of Einarr the Raven) releases November 6 on LP and CD.
Pre-orders go live this Friday!

In : Sigurður 

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