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== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}
Shadows Fall bass player Ed Lanouette talks about joining the band and current your tour
http://omnes.tv/unsigned/episode63/


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 05:28, 30 November 2012

Shadows Fall
OriginSpringfield, Massachusetts, United States
GenresThrash metal, heavy metal, melodic death metal (early)
Years active1995–present
LabelsCentury Media, Atlantic, Roadrunner, Everblack, Ferret, Spinefarm, Razor & Tie
MembersBrian Fair
Jonathan Donais
Matt Bachand
Paul Romanko
Jason Bittner
Past membersPhilip Labonte
David Germain
Adam Dutkiewicz
Derek Kerswill
Websitewww.shadowsfall.com

Shadows Fall is an American metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from some references to the Rastafari culture.[1] 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 seven 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. In late 2011, the band entered the studio to begin recording their latest studio album. The album, Fire From the Sky, was released on May 15, 2012, and is the first to be produced by Adam Dutkiewicz since the band's first studio release. They draw a diversity of influences in their music including thrash metal, melodic death metal, hardcore punk, glam metal, and hard rock.

History

Formation and Somber Eyes to the Sky (1995–1997)

Shadows Fall was formed in 1995 by guitarists Jonathan Donais and Matt Bachand, then good friends from the local music scene.[2] Bachand had previously been a founding member of a death metal band and Donais a member of the metalcore band Aftershock. By 1996 the band had found a complete lineup with the addition of Damien McPherson (vocals), Mark Laliberte (bass), and David Germain (drums). Also in 1996, Adam Dutkiewicz performed live drums to fill in for Germain.[3] By late 1996, the band recorded and released a demo titled Mourning a Dead World, of which only about 200 copies were produced.[2] McPherson decided to leave the band, and was replaced by Philip Labonte in 1997. Around the same time, bass guitarist Paul Romanko, formally of the hardcore band Pushbutton Warfare, was recruited as a permanent replacement for Laliberte, who had originally joined on a temporary basis.[2][4] Now with a more solid lineup, the band released its first EP, To Ashes, with Dutkiewicz playing as a session drummer. The band's name, according to Bachand, comes from the title of a comic book published in the early 1990s.[5]

Shadows Fall toured the New England area opening for artists such as Fear Factory and Cannibal Corpse.[6] On November 30, 1997, the band released its first studio album Somber Eyes to the Sky, through Bachand's recording label, Lifeless Records.

Of One Blood (1998–2000)

In 1998, Labonte was asked to leave the band due to personal and artistic differences.[7] He had ideas for a side project while a member of the band, and went on to form All That Remains.[8][9] The band looked for a replacement vocalist and eventually recruited Brian Fair of the pioneering metalcore band Overcast.[10] The band had been friends with Fair for years.[2] After a US Summer tour with Shai Hulud, Overcast disbanded and the band asked Fair if he would like to join Shadows Fall.[6] 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, and 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 and Burning Human drummer Jason Bittner.[6][11]

The Art of Balance (2001–2003)

Due to repeated comparisons with Gothenburg melodic death metal bands, Shadows Fall decided to change its style to find its own sound.[12] Inspired by more thrash, hard rock and power ballad influences, the band recorded its third studio album, titled The Art of Balance.[13] Released on September 17, 2002, the album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart.[14] Shadows Fall released three music videos to promote the album; "Thoughts Without Words", "Destroyer of Senses", and "The Idiot Box".[15] 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."[16] Shadows Fall supported The Art of Balance by touring on Ozzfest in 2003.[17]

The War Within (2004–2006)

Shadows Fall released its fourth studio album The War Within 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.[14] 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".[15] 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".[18] "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".[19] As of 2008, the album has sold almost 300,000 copies in the United States.[20]

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.[21] 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."[22]

Threads of Life (2007–2008)

Shadows Fall signed a deal with Atlantic Records to distribute the band's albums in the United States, and a deal with Roadrunner Records for international distribution.[5] 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.[23] "Redemption" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal performance; the award ceremony as held on February 10, 2008.[24] 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."[25] Keith Bergman of Blabbermouth.net stated "Threads of Life is slick as hell."[26]

Shadows Fall toured in support of Threads of Life, including making appearances at the Jägermeister tour with Stone Sour and Lacuna Coil,[27] the Operation Annihilation tour with Static-X, 3 Inches of Blood, and Divine Heresy,[28] and the Black Crusade tour with Trivium, Machine Head, Dragonforce, and Arch Enemy.[29] 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.[30]

Retribution (2009–2011)

Shadows Fall released their sixth album, Retribution, on September 15, 2009, through the band's own label, Everblack Industries, 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[31] 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 with direct support from Thy Will Be Done.[32]

Shadows Fall released a live CD/DVD, Madness in Manila: Shadows Fall Live in The Philippines 2009, on October 26.[33]

Fire From the Sky (2012)

In late 2011, Shadows Fall entered the studio to begin recording their seventh studio album. While in the studio, they held live video streams to discuss the progress of the album and answer questions from fans. This album is the first to be produced by Adam Dutkiewicz since the band's original studio release, Somber Eyes to the Sky. Fire From the Sky was released on May 15, 2012 through Razor & Tie.

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Studio albums
Year Album Billboard 200
1997 Somber Eyes to the Sky –
2000 Of One Blood –
2002 The Art of Balance 15[A]
2004 The War Within 20
2007 Threads of Life 46
2009 Retribution 35
2012 Fire From the Sky 38
  • A^ The Art of Balance debuted at No. 15 on the Top Independent Albums.
Compilation albums
Year Album
2002 Fear Will Drag You Down
2006 Fallout from the War
2007 Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits
Video albums
Year Album
2005 The Art of Touring
2010 Madness in Manila

Singles

Year Title US
Main.
[34] 		Album
2004 "What Drives the Weak" 38 The War Within
2005 "Inspiration on Demand" 33
"Enlightened by the Cold" —
2007 "Redemption" 37 Threads of Life
"Another Hero Lost" 40
2009 "Still I Rise" — Retribution
"King of Nothing" —
2010 "Bark at the Moon" —
2012 "The Unknown" — Fire from the Sky

Music videos

Year Title Director
2002 "Thoughts Without Words"[35]
"Destroyer of Senses"[36]
"The Idiot Box"[37]
2004 "The Power of I and I"[38] Dale Resteghini[39]
"What Drives the Weak"[40] Zach Merck[41]
"Inspiration on Demand"[42]
2005 "Enlightened by the Cold"[43] Zach Merck[44][45][46]
2006 "In Effigy"[47]
2007 "Redemption"[48]
"Another Hero Lost"[49]
"Burning the Lives"[50]
"Forevermore"[51]
2009 "Still I Rise"[52] Zack Merck[53]
2010 "Bark at the Moon"[54] David Brodsky
2012 "The Unknown"

Awards and nominations

Nominations

References

  1. ^ Sean Claes. "Turning It Up As Shadows Fall". Retrieved 22/02/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "Shadows Fall Interview". metalupdate.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Killswitch Engage: Adam Dutkiewicz". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  4. ^ "Shadows Fall 'The rebel becomes the next oppressor'". Hardtimes.ca. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Epstien, Daniel Robert. "Shadows Fall interview". Ugo.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  6. ^ a b c Huey, Steve. "Shadows Fall biography – Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  7. ^ "Phil Labonte of All That Remains Tells the Truth: 'Shadows Fall Asked Me to Leave'". Buzznet. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  8. ^ "Shadows Fall Profile". About.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  9. ^ "Phil Labonte - All That Remains, Shadows Fall". metalfanatix.com. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  10. ^ "Shadows Fall/Overcast Vocalist Brian Fair: The Metalsucks Interview". MetalSucks. Retrieved on May 10, 2012.
  11. ^ Jaya the Cat Official Website David Germain bio "I wasn’t happy and started drinking way to much which effected my playing, so eventually we all decided it was time for me to go."
  12. ^ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 2001-06-09. Retrieved 2011-10-06. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  13. ^ Sciarretto, Amy. "Shadows Fall Biography". shadowsfall.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2003. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Shadows Fall – Artist Chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  15. ^ a b "Shadows Fall – Artist videography". Mvdbase.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  16. ^ Huey, Steve. "(The Art of Balance)". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  17. ^ "Ozzfest alumni". Ozzfest.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  18. ^ a b "48th Grammy Awards – 2006". Rockonthenet.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  19. ^ Kergan, Wade. "(The War Within)". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  20. ^ "Shadows Fall biography – Atlantic Records". Atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05. [dead link]
  21. ^ Chad Bower. "Shadows Fall – The Art Of Touring DVD". Heavymetal.about.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  22. ^ Jeffries, David. "(Fallout from the War)". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  23. ^ "Hear Shadows Fall's Single, "Redemption," Online". Metal underground.com. 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  24. ^ a b "Rock And Metal Featured In 2008 Grammy Nominations". Metalunderground.com. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  25. ^ Jurek, Thom. "(Threads of Life)". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  26. ^ Bergman, Keith. "CD reviews – Threads of Life". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  27. ^ "Stone Sour to Headline Spring Jagermeister Tour". Metalunderground.com. 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  28. ^ "Operation Annihilation tour". Operationannihilationtour.com. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  29. ^ "Shadows Fall Added To 'Black Crusade' European Tour With Machine Head, Trivium". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  30. ^ "Soundwave '08". MTV. Retrieved 2008-01-05. [dead link]
  31. ^ "Shadows Fall Begin Recording New Album". Metal Hammer. Future. February 4, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  32. ^ "Shadows Fall Announces New York City Show - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  33. ^ arashinc (2010-06-27). "Shadows Fall To Release Live DVD In August". Tunelab.com. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  34. ^ Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks
  35. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Thoughts Without Words" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  36. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Destroyer Of Senses" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  37. ^ "Shadows Fall - "The Idiot Box" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  38. ^ "Shadows Fall - "The Power Of I and I" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  39. ^ "Shadows Fall - "The Power Of I and I" Music Video Director". viddug.com. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  40. ^ "Shadows Fall - "What Drives The Weak" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  41. ^ "Shadows Fall - "What Drives The Weak" Music Video Director". viddug.com. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  42. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Inspiration On Demand" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  43. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Enlightened By The Cold" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  44. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Enlightened By The Cold" Music Video Director". viddug.com. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  45. ^ "Shadows Fall - "In Effigy" Music Video Director". viddug.com. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  46. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Redemption" Music Video Director". sortmusic.com. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  47. ^ "Shadows Fall - "In Effigy" Music Video". Century Media. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  48. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Redemption" Music Video". Atlantic Records. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  49. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Another Hero Lost" Music Video". Atlantic Records. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  50. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Burning The Lives" Music Video". Atlantic Records. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  51. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Forevermore" Music Video". Atlantic Records. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  52. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Still I Rise" Music Video". Everblack Industries. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  53. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Still I Rise" Music Video Director". metalvideo.com. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  54. ^ "Shadows Fall - "Bark At The Moon" Music Video". Hollywood Records. Retrieved 08-01-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

Shadows Fall bass player Ed Lanouette talks about joining the band and current your tour http://omnes.tv/unsigned/episode63/

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