2007 Update: These guys released their debut on Atlantic Records, called Threads of Life earlier in 2007.  These guys have been touring non stop and will continue through the end of this year.  I know they came to Philly twice this year, and I couldn’t go either time.  L  Matt has a signature guitar and Paul has a signature bass, exclusively at Sam Ash stores.  Jason is in a side band called Burning Human, and their myspace is http://www.myspace.com/burninghuman4.  These guys preformed a secret Myspace show back in the summer. They have a free show coming up on October 20 at the Van’s Skate Park at Festival Bay Mall in Orlando FL.   Jon has just been added to ESP guitar family.

2006 Update: What have these guys not done in the past year? New album coming out on Century Media, last album with their stay with them. Fallout from the War will be released June 13. Recorded at their second home, Planet Z Studios with long time friend Zeus. 11 songs, including 6 new ones, 2 old ones, 1 cover of a Only Living Witness song, 1 cover of a Leeway song, and 1 cover of a Dangerous Toys song. Then, after that is released, they will be releasing shortly after their debut with Atlantic records. Already have some of the songs completed for that album. Small tibits, Brian did the Overcast reunion a few weeks ago at the Metal and Hardcore Fest in MA. Brian also is going to be writing a column for Metal Edge Magazine. Jason their drummer filled in for Charlie on a couple Anthrax shows. Matt has been booking and playing around MA, NY and surrounding area's by himself, doing acoustic shows. Not Shad stuff, all his own, which is great stuff. Released in 2005 was the Art of Touring DVD and soon to be released in 2006 will be volume 2.

2005 Update: SHADOWS FALL have had a triumphant year thus far, as they just completed a highly successful U.S. arena tour alongside Slipknot and Lamb Of God while their critically acclaimed album, The War Within, recently surpassed the 200,000 U.S. SoundScan sales-plateau (in USA only!). Nevertheless, the campaign is only just beginning to heat up for the group as they’re set to perform on the main stage at Ozzfest all throughout this summer, thereby not only becoming the first band of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal genre to achieve that honor, but one of the few in history to make the leap from the second stage to the main stage. Early June, SHADOWS FALL will finally also make their way back to Europe for some shows with Slipknot, some major festival appearances including Download Festival (UK), Rock im Park and Rock am Ring (both Germany), Flippaut Festival (Italy) as well as a special performance at the prestigious Metal Hammer awards in London at the end of their visit.

Interview with Matt Bachand from Shadows Fall by Jenn

How is the new release on Century Media doing so far?
Very well, thanks! As far as I have been told, sales have been exceeding expectations and college radio has been very kind to us so far.
You have been #1 on the CMJ charts for the last couple weeks now knocking out PANTERA. What do you think about that? What other charts are you scoring well on?
I think it's amazing really. Never thought that would happen. Right now we've been #1 on that chart for 4 weeks so it's definitely going strong. We are also 2 weeks running at # 1 on the FMQB charts and a few others are going strong as well.
When was the CD recorded?
We actually began pre-production in July of 1999 so all of this material is already a year old. Recording this one was definitely a long process but it was well worth it.
How did you get in touch with Century Media? Was there any other label interest?
There were some good people helping us shop the new material to labels after Brian joined the band and we recorded some demos. It almost seemed that CM came to us in a way. They definitely had what we were looking for though.
Give us some band history, how long you have been together, how many members you have gone through...
We have been doing this since the beginning of 1996. Jon and myself started writing and arranging material before we found others to fill out the lineup. He had played some tapes of ideas he has for a new band and I liked what I heard. In the past we had a vocalist (Damien) and bassist (Mark) that were there to help us write and record. Dave was also just temporary but he liked what was going on so he decided to stay on full time. Paul and Phil joined about the same time, which was about a month before recording "Somber Eyes to the Sky". Phil left due to "creative differences" in fall 1998 and Brian signed on in December of 98. [Phil is now singing for All that Remains, also based out of MA-Jenn]
When was Somber released? Is it still available? Who repressed it?
Somber was "officially" released on March 9, 1998 on my own label, LIFELESS records. It is still available and most underground catalogs (Relapse, Very, etc) carry it. It was re-released on CD and vinyl in Europe by Genet records from Belgium.
Where did the name Shadow's Fall come from?
It was based on a short comic series from the early 90's of the same name. The themes and art in that series reflected the bands direction at the time.
You are having a lot of tours coming up. How do you think you will fit in with All out War and God Forbid?
I think it will be a great tour! It is a good mix of different styles.
You are also playing with Dismember and Krisiun. How do you think the crowd will react to you?
I think it will be ok although those bands are quite a bit more extreme than we are in terms of music but I'm very much looking forward to it. I love death metal so if all else fails at least I'll get to see some killer bands every night!
What are some of your favorite bands that you played with?
We have played with sooo many great bands but some of the best shows were with some of the more "mainstream" bands like Fear Factory, Sevendust, Anthrax, etc… Also the Vans Warped Tour was GREAT!! It is also good to play with friends though such as shows with Cryptopsy, Skinless, Staind, and sooo many others.
You are President and CEO of Lifeless Records, tell us about that. Do you have a favorite band from the label? Tell us about the distro too.
Well, I think I take on too much at once!!!! Hahaha. But I run the label to help out bands that have a lot of potential but need help with promotion, distro, business, etc.. I can't choose a favorite but the bands that are currently making some noise are Torn Asunder, Catheter, and 6 Thirty 7 [Who is my favorite-Jenn]. Also, other bands/labels merchandise can be ordered through LIFELESS.
You also do Lifeless Zine. How many issues do you have out? What do you like the best about doing the zine?
Only one issue has been released as a preview to the second issue which will be much more elaborate. The best thing about the zine is the good it does for the scene, bringing new bands to new fans, etc.
What are some of your other side projects other than the band, the label, the distro and the zine? What other bands do you play in?
There are a few side projects that I work on in my spare time (which isn't that often). A modern rock band called "Paynes Grey" and another which I can not discuss right now. But all of this takes a back seat to SF so it's hard to get anything done with them. Right now I'm not worried about it.
How long have you been playing guitar?
11 years
What CD's have you been listening to lately?
The new stuff from VADER, BEN FOLDS FIVE, CRACK UP, and STUCK MOJO. Also I've been on a bit of a power metal kick lately (Stratovarius, Hammerfall, Jag Panzer, etc). And of course the classics from GIN BLOSSOMS, BETTER THAN EZRA, MY FRIEND STEVE, and SUFFOCATION.
Anything else?
Thanks to everyone for their support and we'll see you on the road!!!!
http://www.shadowsfall.com/
http://www.myspace.com/shadowsfall
http://lifelessrecords.8k.com/
http://www.centurymedia.com
http://www.atlanticrecords.com/