Shadows Fall
Encyclopedia
Shadows Fall is an American heavy metal
band from Springfield
, Massachusetts
, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from Eastern philosophy and some references to the Rastafari culture. Although the band has experienced several line-up changes, for most of its recording career Shadows Fall has been composed of Brian Fair
(vocals), Jonathan Donais (lead guitar), Matt Bachand
(guitar), Paul Romanko (bass
), and Jason Bittner
(drums
).
Shadows Fall have released six studio albums, two compilation albums, and two DVDs. The band's first album featured Philip Labonte
on vocals, although he was soon replaced by Fair. Shadows Fall's first two studio albums featured David Germain
playing drums, but in 2002 Bittner joined the band full time. In February 2008, the band was a Grammy Award
nominee in the category Best Metal Performance for the song "Redemption" off the album Threads of Life. They're currently in the studio to release an album in 2012 and are running live streams online to show what they're up to backstage.
with the help of Adam Dutkiewicz
. Donais and Bachand recruited vocalist Philip Labonte
, and bassist Paul Romanko to complete Shadows Fall's original line-up. The band released their debut EP, To Ashes, with Dutkiewicz playing as a session drummer. After the release of the demo Dutkiewicz left to form Killswitch Engage
. David Germain
joined the band as drummer, to fill the empty position. Shadows Fall toured the New England area opening for artists such as Fear Factory
and Cannibal Corpse
. The newly formed band recorded its first studio album Somber Eyes to the Sky
, on November 30, 1997 through Bachand's recording label, Lifeless Records. The band's name, according to Bachand, comes from the title of a comic book published in the early 1990s.
In 1998, Labonte was asked to leave the band due to personal and artistic differences. He later formed the band All That Remains
. The band looked for a replacement vocalist and found Brian Fair
at an Overcast concert. After a US Summer tour with Shai Hulud
, Overcast disbanded and the band asked Fair if he would like to join Shadows Fall. While on tour Shadows Fall was signed to Century Media Records
. The band recorded its second studio album Of One Blood with Fair on vocals in 2000, the release included re-recorded songs from Somber Eyes to the Sky. In 2001, David Germain decided to leave the band due to alcoholism, and was replaced by former Stigmata drummer Jason Bittner
.
bands, Shadows Fall decided to change its style to find its own sound. Inspired by more thrash
, hard rock
and power ballad influences, the band recorded its third studio album, titled The Art of Balance
. Released on September 17, 2002, the album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard
Top Independent albums chart. Shadows Fall released three music videos to promote the album; "Thoughts Without Words", "Destroyer of Senses", and "The Idiot Box". The Art of Balance featured a cover
of the Pink Floyd
song "Welcome to the Machine
". Andy Hinds of Allmusic stated the album is "a modern heavy metal album that is both brutal and highly musical, traditional yet forward-thinking", but criticized the placement of "Welcome to the Machine", stating the song "is stylishly well-executed, but seems a tad out of place nonetheless." Shadows Fall supported The Art of Balance by touring on Ozzfest
in 2003.
on September 21, 2004. It was the first release to enter the Billboard 200
for the band at number 20, and peaked at number one on the Top Independent albums chart. In promotion for the album, Shadows Fall released four music videos over the course of one year; "The Power of I and I", "What Drives the Weak", "Inspiration on Demand", and "Enlightened By the Cold". The song "What Drives the Weak" received a Grammy Award
nomination for Best Metal Performance
in 2006, however the award went to Slipknot
for the song "Before I Forget". "The Light That Blinds" was featured in the video game Guitar Hero II
. Wade Kergan of Allmusic praised the album stating the band has "grown beyond the confines of the metal-loving hardcore crowd anyway, with more in common now with the classic thrash of Metallica
than the metal-tinged hardcore of Coalesce". As of 2008, the album has sold almost 300,000 copies in the United States.
Shadows Fall released its first DVD The Art of Touring
in November 2005. The DVD included a live concert, backstage footage, and six music videos. The band released its final CD on Century Media Records, titled Fallout from the War
on June 13, 2006. Released as a compilation album
, it debuted at number 83 on the Billboard 200. Fallout from the War included tracks recorded for The War Within that did not make it on to the album, b-sides, re-recordings, and cover songs. David Jeffries of Allmusic claimed the album is "a great informal introduction to the ferocious and melodic witches' brew Shadows Fall always seems to nail."
to distribute the band's albums in the United States, and a deal with Roadrunner Records
for international distribution. The band released its fifth studio album Threads of Life on April 3, 2007. "Redemption", the first single from the CD was released on February 20, 2007 through iTunes
with an accompanying music video. "Redemption" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal performance; the award ceremony as held on February 10, 2008. Slayer's "Eyes of the Insane" won the award. Thom Jurek of Allmusic stated Shadows Fall has "lost none of the fire, attack or attitude" on Threads of Life. Jurek also said the album featured "killer guitar breaks, big fat chugging riffs, power-slam skin work, cattle prod bass, and cool little hooks and melodic touches on top of those bludgeoning riffs make Threads of Life a major label debut of merit, and a metal record worthy of celebrating." Keith Bergman of Blabbermouth.net
stated "Threads of Life is slick as hell."
Shadows Fall toured in support of Threads of Life, including making appearances at the Jägermeister tour
with Stone Sour
and Lacuna Coil
, the Operation Annihilation tour with Static-X
, 3 Inches of Blood
, and Divine Heresy
, and the Black Crusade tour with Trivium
, Machine Head
, Dragonforce
, and Arch Enemy
. The band was a part of the Soundwave tour in Australia and in Asia in February 2008, along with Killswitch Engage
, As I Lay Dying
, and Bleeding Through
.
, which was created in conjunction with Warner Music Group's ILG, Ferret Music and ChannelZERO Entertainment. It is being released in the UK via Spinefarm Records
. The album was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris. Drummer Jason Bittner recently stated about the band's new material, "The songs are a little more on the darker, angry side... lots of heaviness, lots of crazy guitar, and LOTS of room for me to have some fun. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be the best performance of my career, so far, and I owe that to my guys for bringing me incredible riffs to write killer drum parts to." As of the fall of 2009 the band was appearing on the 'Shock & Raw' tour of North America with 2Cents
, Otep
& Five Finger Death Punch
. After a South American tour, Shadows Fall will be playing on the Jägermeister Stage in the 2010 Rockstar Mayhem Festival in July and August 2010. The band is also scheduled to support Lamb of God
on their Australian tour in December 2009 Shadows Fall is pleased to announce their first and only New York City performance this year, taking place at Santos Party House on December 18, 2010.
Shadows Fall released a live CD/DVD, Madness in Manila: Shadows Fall Live in The Philippines 2009
, on October 26. They are currently in the studio to release an album in 2012.
Former members
Session members
}
|-
| 2004
|The War Within
| style="text-align:center;"| 20
|-
| 2007
|Threads of Life
| style="text-align:center;"| 46
|-
| 2009
|Retribution
| style="text-align:center;"| 35
|-
| 2012
| TBA
|}
Compilation albums
Video albums
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from Eastern philosophy and some references to the Rastafari culture. Although the band has experienced several line-up changes, for most of its recording career Shadows Fall has been composed of Brian Fair
Brian Fair
Brian Fair is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Shadows Fall. He graduated from Milford High School in 1993 and went on to study literature at Boston University.-History:...
(vocals), Jonathan Donais (lead guitar), Matt Bachand
Matt Bachand
Matt Bachand is an American guitarist born on April 29, 1977. He has very strong death metal and thrash metal influences and he is also backing vocalist for the heavy metal band Shadows Fall. He is known for his deep growls or death growl which is often heard in death metal genre...
(guitar), Paul Romanko (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), and Jason Bittner
Jason Bittner
Jason Bittner is the drummer for the American metal band Shadows Fall. He has won numerous awards including Modern Drummer Readers poll for #1 Up and Coming Drummer of 2004, and in 2005, #1 Best Recorded Performance for the Shadows Fall album The War Within, #1 Metal drummer #2 Clinician DRUM!...
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
).
Shadows Fall have released six studio albums, two compilation albums, and two DVDs. The band's first album featured Philip Labonte
Philip Labonte
Philip Steven Labonte is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as the lead singer of the American metalcore band All That Remains and formerly of Shadows Fall.-History:...
on vocals, although he was soon replaced by Fair. Shadows Fall's first two studio albums featured David Germain
David Germain
David Germain is a drummer who has played in several bands including Shadows Fall and Jaya the Cat. He was born in the United States, but is currently living in the Netherlands.- Biography :...
playing drums, but in 2002 Bittner joined the band full time. In February 2008, the band was a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominee in the category Best Metal Performance for the song "Redemption" off the album Threads of Life. They're currently in the studio to release an album in 2012 and are running live streams online to show what they're up to backstage.
Formation, Somber Eyes to the Sky, and Of One Blood (1995–2000)
Shadows Fall formed in 1995 by guitarists Jonathan Donais and Matt BachandMatt Bachand
Matt Bachand is an American guitarist born on April 29, 1977. He has very strong death metal and thrash metal influences and he is also backing vocalist for the heavy metal band Shadows Fall. He is known for his deep growls or death growl which is often heard in death metal genre...
with the help of Adam Dutkiewicz
Adam Dutkiewicz
Adam Jonathan Dutkiewicz is an American musician, recording engineer and music producer, best known as a guitarist and backup vocalist from Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage.-Biography:...
. Donais and Bachand recruited vocalist Philip Labonte
Philip Labonte
Philip Steven Labonte is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as the lead singer of the American metalcore band All That Remains and formerly of Shadows Fall.-History:...
, and bassist Paul Romanko to complete Shadows Fall's original line-up. The band released their debut EP, To Ashes, with Dutkiewicz playing as a session drummer. After the release of the demo Dutkiewicz left to form Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
. David Germain
David Germain
David Germain is a drummer who has played in several bands including Shadows Fall and Jaya the Cat. He was born in the United States, but is currently living in the Netherlands.- Biography :...
joined the band as drummer, to fill the empty position. Shadows Fall toured the New England area opening for artists such as Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
and Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
. The newly formed band recorded its first studio album Somber Eyes to the Sky
Somber Eyes to the Sky
Somber Eyes to the Sky is the debut studio album by Shadows Fall, released in 1998 on Matt Bachand's own label Lifeless Records. This was the band's only release with lead singer Philip Labonte .-Track listing:-Personnel:Shadows Fall...
, on November 30, 1997 through Bachand's recording label, Lifeless Records. The band's name, according to Bachand, comes from the title of a comic book published in the early 1990s.
In 1998, Labonte was asked to leave the band due to personal and artistic differences. He later formed the band All That Remains
All That Remains (band)
All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, which formed in 1998. They have released five studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and have sold nearly 800,000 records...
. The band looked for a replacement vocalist and found Brian Fair
Brian Fair
Brian Fair is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Shadows Fall. He graduated from Milford High School in 1993 and went on to study literature at Boston University.-History:...
at an Overcast concert. After a US Summer tour with Shai Hulud
Shai Hulud (band)
Shai Hulud is an American hardcore punk band with progressive metal influences, originally formed in Pompano Beach, Florida, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, New York....
, Overcast disbanded and the band asked Fair if he would like to join Shadows Fall. While on tour Shadows Fall was signed to Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
. The band recorded its second studio album Of One Blood with Fair on vocals in 2000, the release included re-recorded songs from Somber Eyes to the Sky. In 2001, David Germain decided to leave the band due to alcoholism, and was replaced by former Stigmata drummer Jason Bittner
Jason Bittner
Jason Bittner is the drummer for the American metal band Shadows Fall. He has won numerous awards including Modern Drummer Readers poll for #1 Up and Coming Drummer of 2004, and in 2005, #1 Best Recorded Performance for the Shadows Fall album The War Within, #1 Metal drummer #2 Clinician DRUM!...
.
The Art of Balance (2001–2003)
Due to repeated comparisons with Gothenburg melodic death metalMelodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
bands, Shadows Fall decided to change its style to find its own sound. Inspired by more thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and power ballad influences, the band recorded its third studio album, titled The Art of Balance
The Art of Balance
-Personnel:Shadows Fall*Brian Fair – vocals*Jonathan Donais – lead guitar, vocals*Matt Bachand – guitar, vocals*Paul Romanko – bass*Jason Bittner – drumsAdditional performers*Jim Weeks – drums on "Welcome to the Machine"...
. Released on September 17, 2002, the album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Top Independent albums chart. Shadows Fall released three music videos to promote the album; "Thoughts Without Words", "Destroyer of Senses", and "The Idiot Box". The Art of Balance featured a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
song "Welcome to the Machine
Welcome to the Machine
"Welcome to the Machine" is the second song on Pink Floyd's 1975 album Wish You Were Here. It is notable for its use of heavily processed synthesizers and guitars, as well as a wide and varied range of tape effects.-Theme:...
". Andy Hinds of Allmusic stated the album is "a modern heavy metal album that is both brutal and highly musical, traditional yet forward-thinking", but criticized the placement of "Welcome to the Machine", stating the song "is stylishly well-executed, but seems a tad out of place nonetheless." Shadows Fall supported The Art of Balance by touring on Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
in 2003.
The War Within (2004–2006)
Shadows Fall released its fourth studio album The War WithinThe War Within (album)
This article is about the album. For other uses, see 'The War Within .-Limited edition bonus DVD:#"Stepping Outside the Circle" #"Of One Blood"...
on September 21, 2004. It was the first release to enter the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
for the band at number 20, and peaked at number one on the Top Independent albums chart. In promotion for the album, Shadows Fall released four music videos over the course of one year; "The Power of I and I", "What Drives the Weak", "Inspiration on Demand", and "Enlightened By the Cold". The song "What Drives the Weak" received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination for Best Metal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance was an award presented at the Grammy Awards to recording artists for works containing quality performances in the heavy metal music genre...
in 2006, however the award went to Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
for the song "Before I Forget". "The Light That Blinds" was featured in the video game Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II
Guitar Hero II is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by RedOctane. It is the second installment in the Guitar Hero series and is the sequel to Guitar Hero...
. Wade Kergan of Allmusic praised the album stating the band has "grown beyond the confines of the metal-loving hardcore crowd anyway, with more in common now with the classic thrash of Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
than the metal-tinged hardcore of Coalesce". As of 2008, the album has sold almost 300,000 copies in the United States.
Shadows Fall released its first DVD The Art of Touring
The Art of Touring
The Art of Touring is the first DVD released by the American, metal band Shadows Fall. It was released in 2005 through Century Media Records. The DVD features live concert, backstage, and behind-the-scenes footage shot throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan from 2002 to 2004...
in November 2005. The DVD included a live concert, backstage footage, and six music videos. The band released its final CD on Century Media Records, titled Fallout from the War
Fallout from the War
-Personnel:Shadows Fall*Brian Fair – vocals*Jonathan Donais – lead guitar, vocals*Matt Bachand – guitar, vocals*Paul Romanko – bass*Jason Bittner – drumsAdditional performer*Jason McMaster – guest vocals on "Teasn', Pleasn'"Production...
on June 13, 2006. Released as a compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, it debuted at number 83 on the Billboard 200. Fallout from the War included tracks recorded for The War Within that did not make it on to the album, b-sides, re-recordings, and cover songs. David Jeffries of Allmusic claimed the album is "a great informal introduction to the ferocious and melodic witches' brew Shadows Fall always seems to nail."
Threads of Life (2007–2008)
Shadows Fall signed a deal with Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
to distribute the band's albums in the United States, and a deal with Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
for international distribution. The band released its fifth studio album Threads of Life on April 3, 2007. "Redemption", the first single from the CD was released on February 20, 2007 through iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
with an accompanying music video. "Redemption" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal performance; the award ceremony as held on February 10, 2008. Slayer's "Eyes of the Insane" won the award. Thom Jurek of Allmusic stated Shadows Fall has "lost none of the fire, attack or attitude" on Threads of Life. Jurek also said the album featured "killer guitar breaks, big fat chugging riffs, power-slam skin work, cattle prod bass, and cool little hooks and melodic touches on top of those bludgeoning riffs make Threads of Life a major label debut of merit, and a metal record worthy of celebrating." Keith Bergman of Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
stated "Threads of Life is slick as hell."
Shadows Fall toured in support of Threads of Life, including making appearances at the Jägermeister tour
Jägermeister Music Tour
The Jägermeister Music Tour is a hard rock, hardcore punk, and heavy metal music tour that has been held twice a year in the United States since 2002. It is owned by the American importer of Jägermeister, Sidney Frank Importing.-History:...
with Stone Sour
Stone Sour
Stone Sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Since 2006, the group has been composed of Corey Taylor , Jim Root , Josh Rand, , Shawn Economaki and Roy Mayorga . Original drummer Joel Ekman left the group in 2006...
and Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil
Lacuna Coil is an Italian gothic metal band from Milan. Formed in 1994, the group has had two name changes since being previously known as Sleep of Right and Ethereal and was inspired by the combination of gothic imagery and music...
, the Operation Annihilation tour with Static-X
Static-X
Static-X is an American industrial metal band from Los Angeles, California. They were formed in 1994. They are signed to Warner Bros. Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Cult of Static, which was released on March 17, 2009....
, 3 Inches of Blood
3 Inches of Blood
3 Inches of Blood is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2000 in Vancouver, British Columbia, currently consisting of Cam Pipes, Justin Hagberg, Shane Clark, and Ash Pearson...
, and Divine Heresy
Divine Heresy
Divine Heresy is an American metal band formed by founder of Fear Factory, guitarist Dino Cazares and Devolved, drummer John Sankey. Although the band's origins trace back to 2002, Divine Heresy was officially formed in 2006...
, and the Black Crusade tour with Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
, Dragonforce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
, and Arch Enemy
Arch Enemy (band)
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup, from Halmstad, formed in 1996. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist to name a few. It was founded by Carcass guitarist Michael Amott along with Johan...
. The band was a part of the Soundwave tour in Australia and in Asia in February 2008, along with Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
, As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying (band)
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh...
, and Bleeding Through
Bleeding Through
Bleeding Through is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. Formed in 1999, the band blends influences stemming from modern hardcore punk, symphonic black metal, and melodic death metal...
.
Retribution (2009 onward)
Shadows Fall released their sixth album, Retribution, on September 15, 2009, through the band's own label, Everblack IndustriesEverblack Industries
Everblack Industries is the record imprint created by American heavy metal band Shadows Fall in conjunction with Warner Music Group's ILG, Ferret Music and ChannelZERO Entertainment. The label's first release was Shadows Fall's album Retribution on September 15, 2009....
, which was created in conjunction with Warner Music Group's ILG, Ferret Music and ChannelZERO Entertainment. It is being released in the UK via Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
. The album was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris. Drummer Jason Bittner recently stated about the band's new material, "The songs are a little more on the darker, angry side... lots of heaviness, lots of crazy guitar, and LOTS of room for me to have some fun. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be the best performance of my career, so far, and I owe that to my guys for bringing me incredible riffs to write killer drum parts to." As of the fall of 2009 the band was appearing on the 'Shock & Raw' tour of North America with 2Cents
2Cents
2Cents is a metal band from Malibu, California, known for their energetic live performances andextensive touring history.- History :2Cents was formed by brothers, Adam and Dave O’Rourke who shared a mutual love of metal bands like Pantera and Slayer as well as Southern California punk bands such as...
, Otep
Otep
Otep is an American heavy metal band formed in 2000 in Los Angeles, California by Otep Shamaya.-History:Otep originally was a four-piece nu metal band that began in Los Angeles, California in early 2000...
& Five Finger Death Punch
Five Finger Death Punch
Five Finger Death Punch is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2005, the group's name is derived from classic oriental martial arts cinema. The band originally consisted of vocalist Ivan Moody, guitarist Zoltan Bathory, guitarist Caleb Bingham, bassist Matt Snell,...
. After a South American tour, Shadows Fall will be playing on the Jägermeister Stage in the 2010 Rockstar Mayhem Festival in July and August 2010. The band is also scheduled to support Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
on their Australian tour in December 2009 Shadows Fall is pleased to announce their first and only New York City performance this year, taking place at Santos Party House on December 18, 2010.
Shadows Fall released a live CD/DVD, Madness in Manila: Shadows Fall Live in The Philippines 2009
Madness in Manila
Madness in Manila: Shadows Fall Live in The Philippines 2009 is the second concert DVD by American thrash metal band Shadows Fall and was released on October 26, 2010 via Everblack Industries/Ferret Music...
, on October 26. They are currently in the studio to release an album in 2012.
Band members
Current members- Brian FairBrian FairBrian Fair is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Shadows Fall. He graduated from Milford High School in 1993 and went on to study literature at Boston University.-History:...
– lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(2000–present) - Matt BachandMatt BachandMatt Bachand is an American guitarist born on April 29, 1977. He has very strong death metal and thrash metal influences and he is also backing vocalist for the heavy metal band Shadows Fall. He is known for his deep growls or death growl which is often heard in death metal genre...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, backing vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1995–present) - Jonathan Donais- lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1995–present) - Paul Romanko – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1995–present) - Jason BittnerJason BittnerJason Bittner is the drummer for the American metal band Shadows Fall. He has won numerous awards including Modern Drummer Readers poll for #1 Up and Coming Drummer of 2004, and in 2005, #1 Best Recorded Performance for the Shadows Fall album The War Within, #1 Metal drummer #2 Clinician DRUM!...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2002–present)
Former members
- Philip LabontePhilip LabontePhilip Steven Labonte is an American musician from Massachusetts, best known as the lead singer of the American metalcore band All That Remains and formerly of Shadows Fall.-History:...
– lead vocals (1995–2000) - David GermainDavid GermainDavid Germain is a drummer who has played in several bands including Shadows Fall and Jaya the Cat. He was born in the United States, but is currently living in the Netherlands.- Biography :...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1995–2001)
Session members
- Adam DutkiewiczAdam DutkiewiczAdam Jonathan Dutkiewicz is an American musician, recording engineer and music producer, best known as a guitarist and backup vocalist from Massachusetts metalcore band Killswitch Engage.-Biography:...
-drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1996) - Derek KerswillDerek KerswillDerek Kerswill is an American musician best known for his drumming in the bands Unearth, Seemless, Kingdom of Sorrow, and multiple fill-ins/studio projects.-Biography:Derek has been playing drums since the age of 9...
-drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2001–2002)
Albums
Studio albums| Year | Album | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Somber Eyes to the Sky Somber Eyes to the Sky Somber Eyes to the Sky is the debut studio album by Shadows Fall, released in 1998 on Matt Bachand's own label Lifeless Records. This was the band's only release with lead singer Philip Labonte .-Track listing:-Personnel:Shadows Fall... |
– |
| 2000 | Of One Blood | – |
| 2002 | The Art of Balance The Art of Balance -Personnel:Shadows Fall*Brian Fair – vocals*Jonathan Donais – lead guitar, vocals*Matt Bachand – guitar, vocals*Paul Romanko – bass*Jason Bittner – drumsAdditional performers*Jim Weeks – drums on "Welcome to the Machine"... |
|-
| 2004
|The War Within
The War Within (album)
This article is about the album. For other uses, see 'The War Within .-Limited edition bonus DVD:#"Stepping Outside the Circle" #"Of One Blood"...
| style="text-align:center;"| 20
|-
| 2007
|Threads of Life
| style="text-align:center;"| 46
|-
| 2009
|Retribution
| style="text-align:center;"| 35
|-
| 2012
| TBA
|}
- A The Art of Balance debuted at #15 on the Top Independent Albums.
Compilation albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Fear Will Drag You Down Fear Will Drag You Down Fear Will Drag You Down is a compilation album by Shadows Fall, consisting of remastered versions of their 2000 album Of One Blood and their 2001 Japanese EP Deadworld. It was released in Europe and Australia.... |
| 2006 | Fallout From the War Fallout from the War -Personnel:Shadows Fall*Brian Fair – vocals*Jonathan Donais – lead guitar, vocals*Matt Bachand – guitar, vocals*Paul Romanko – bass*Jason Bittner – drumsAdditional performer*Jason McMaster – guest vocals on "Teasn', Pleasn'"Production... |
| 2007 | Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits -Personnel:* Brian Fair – Vocals* Jonathan Donais – Lead Guitar* Matthew Bachand – Rhythm Guitar* Paul Romanko – Bass* David Germain – Drums * Derek Kerswill - Drums * Jason Bittner – Drums... |
Video albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2005 | The Art of Touring The Art of Touring The Art of Touring is the first DVD released by the American, metal band Shadows Fall. It was released in 2005 through Century Media Records. The DVD features live concert, backstage, and behind-the-scenes footage shot throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan from 2002 to 2004... |
| 2010 | Madness in Manila Madness in Manila Madness in Manila: Shadows Fall Live in The Philippines 2009 is the second concert DVD by American thrash metal band Shadows Fall and was released on October 26, 2010 via Everblack Industries/Ferret Music... |
Singles
| Year | Title | US Main. |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "What Drives the Weak" | 38 | The War Within |
| 2005 | "Inspiration on Demand" | 33 | |
| "Enlightened by the Cold" | — | ||
| 2007 | "Redemption Redemption (Shadows Fall song) Redemption is lead single off album Threads of Life from american heavy metal band Shadows Fall. The song has a thrash melodic with heavy riffs and after released, it is considered one of the band's best songs. The song made its premiere on Sirius Radio's Hard Attack station on February 16, 2007... " |
37 | Threads of Life |
| "Another Hero Lost" | 40 | ||
| 2009 | "Still I Rise" | — | Retribution |
| "King of Nothing" | — | ||
| 2010 | "Bark at the Moon Bark at the Moon (song) "Bark at the Moon" is a metal song by Ozzy Osbourne. It is the opening track on his 1983 album Bark at the Moon. The song was composed by Jake E. Lee and Bob Daisley; lyrics were written solely by Osbourne. "Bark at the Moon" is a metal song by Ozzy Osbourne. It is the opening track on his 1983... " |
— |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Thoughts Without Words" | |
| "Destroyer of Senses" | ||
| "The Idiot Box" | ||
| 2004 | "The Power of I and I" | Dale Resteghini Dale Resteghini Dale Anthony Resteghini better known as Rage is a renowned music video director. He is also a film director and music producer... |
| "What Drives the Weak" | Zach Merck | |
| "Inspiration on Demand" | ||
| 2005 | "Enlightened by the Cold" | Zach Merck |
| 2006 | "In Effigy" | |
| 2007 | "Redemption" | |
| "Another Hero Lost" | ||
| "Burning the Lives" | ||
| "Forevermore" | ||
| 2009 | "Still I Rise" | Zack Merck |
| 2010 | "Bark at the Moon" | David Brodsky |
Nominations
- Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Metal Performance – "What Drives the Weak" (2006) - Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance – "Redemption" (2008)