SHADOWPLAY: ShadowPlay

ShadowPlay

ShadowPlay

© 2007 ShadowPlay (9326118001809)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Female Fronted Gothic Rock. Discover the progressive blend of haunting vocal melodies, powerful rhythms, stirring choral and orchestral arrangements and evocative lyrics that is ShadowPlay.

notes

ShadowPlay's arduous history has finally culminated in their debut full-length release, a dark yet inspiring soundscape for those who believe music is about imparting meaning to its listeners. You decide whether it was worth the wait..

Formed in Perth Western Australia in 2000, the band underwent significant changes in 2002: the departure of rhythm guitarist Con Ongarezos, the addition of lead vocalist Alitia, and a name change from "Modus Vivendi" to "ShadowPlay".

The name change was more than cosmetic - it was the band reinventing itself: Between 2000 and 2002, Modus Vivendi regularly showcased their brand of Dream Theater / Queensryche inspired progressive metal to audiences across Perth. With ShadowPlay, the band wanted to broaden their musical horizon to incorporate female vocals, strong vocal melodies, harmonies and electronica.

In November 2002, ShadowPlay began writing and recording their debut album in Perth, Western Australia. The album was scheduled to be completed before the band relocated to Manchester, England in July 2003. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, the band left for Manchester without a finished product. The band played many gigs in Manchester winning fans with their performances at legendary venues like Night and Day Cafe, Dry Bar and Jabez Clegg.

In 2004 the recording process was brought to a premature end. Due to personal reasons Uwe and Alitia returned home to Australia and in early 2005 due to visa restrictions Duane also had to leave the UK.

2006 saw the band working on the album with renewed vigour. This involved continuously sending new and updated material back and forth between Australia and England where Linus currently lives. This was a necessary but extremely tedious and time-consuming process.

Their debut release is the culmination of five years of dedication, determination and hard work. It has seen the band journey through an incredible range of emotions and personal experiences, strengthen friendships and overcome the tyranny of distance. The one thing that has kept them going all that time is the Music, their love for it and the desire to share it with the rest of the world. They now welcome you to enjoy it!

** How did you find out about ShadowPlay? Please let us know! **

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Good Progressive Metal
    author: Daryl Diduch

    This band shows a lot promise to becoming a major player in the progressive metal scene. They have a lot more in common musically with Lacuna Coil and Dream Theater than with Evanescence - they use a lot more variety in styles and tempo changes. My favorite tracks are Faded, Alone, Elegy, and Reveries. Fans of Nightwish, Iron Maiden, and Queensryche will also be attracted to this band. Highly recommended for all progressive metal fans!

  • Shadowplay
    author: Mike Gould

    Metal Hammer listed them as a group to watch so I hunted down their website to check them out. A reference point for their music is Evanescence. However, they have much more variation in their songs than Evanescence ever did and benefit not only from Alitia's vocals but the counterpouint of Duanes. According to the website they went through a lot of trauma to get here, but this album has justified their dedication. Good luck to them.

  • author: Sybil

    A great album! Am lookind forward to the next album. Shadowplay definitely have my full support! The whole music, lyrics and everything, it's just incredible. Keep it up! I just simply love it!!!

  • Mr
    author: Tom Adams

    Spread the word Shadowplay for the world. Came across this band by accident. absolutly fantastic band.Their style and power rival any of the top Gothic bands like Within Temptation / Nightwish / Epica. This is one accident I was more than happy to have. Looking forward to seeing a new album from them. I will spread the word in the UK. TOP MARKS INDEED!

  • Shadowplay is amazing!
    author: Araneus

    Can not get enough of this, must listen it again and again. Just perfect!

  • Shadowplay
    author: Kate McKillion

    I came across this album by chance,I've been a big fan of female fronted bands,especially Within Temptation,Leave's Eyes and Nightwish and Elis and was not disappointed with Alitia's vocals on this album!Amazing,Atmospheric and Astounding to say the least!!! may Shadowplay continue to have many more albums as this calibre,definitely not an album to miss,loved it!!!

  • Shadowplay Rock!
    author: Samantha

    I brought this album after hearing them on myspace and I wasn't disappointed. The music, along with the female and occasional male vocals blend together perfectly. I'm a big fan of the female fronted metal greats - and Shadowplay have made it up there with the likes of Within Temptation and Nightwish. A great, great album!

  • author: Trevor Williams

    I always loved gothic music but this is a bit special. considering its an independant realise it is a definite 'must have' addition to any cpllection. featuring superb and haunting vocals, exqusite guitar work and all round musicianship - it sits well with the more well known and popular female goth rock.

  • shadowplay
    author: frank cosenza

    for an independent release,the debut,self-titled cd from shadowplay totally kills ! hailing from australia, this somewhat gothic-inspired band provide a refreshing breath of air, in that they utilize both female and male vocals. the female vocals remind one of the singer of leaves' eyes.the male vocals bring to mind the vocalist from voyager.the music can be best described as gothic metal,with the emphasis on metal.sometimes,the music veers towards still another australian band,namely vanishing point. one minute haunting and atmospheric,the next driving and catchy.yes,definitely up there with the aus. prog greats. also,the glossy lyric booklet illustrates another minor,but noteworthy component. review by frank cosenza

  • Up there with the Aus Prog greats.
    author: Nicholas Collinson

    Great album, wonderful. I first heard The Awakening on JJJ radio and loved it, unfortunately I missed the band's name when the dj talked about them after the son so it took me a while to find them. But ShadowPlay are awesome, right up there with Aus Prog greats like Eyefear and Vanishing Point, (Also well worth a look if you like these guys)

  • author: Rich D.

    Thanks to this CD I am now a huge fan of Gothic Rock. It conveys such a haunting smoothness that it grabs you and won't let go. Congrats to all and those involved in it's recording... on my Axiom M3ti's the soundstage hovers holographicly with Alitia's vocals up front and personal without sonic fatigue. My highest recommendation.

  • ShadowPlay
    author: Dennis Pewsey
  • Review from Leading Heavy Metal Magazine - BW & BK
    author: BW & BK Magazine

    ShadowPlay take their cue from the band Leaves' Eyes, offering up a semi-gothic soundscape that really hits stride on ‘Alone’. That being said, vocalist Alitia Atkins never belts it out, opting for a more delicate and sensitive approach. Keyboardist Guy Lillico is intrinsic to the lush, flowing harmonies. Drummer Duane Bonney chimes in with lead vocals, stirring the pot even further. (6.5 of of 10) BW & BK Magazine

  • This album rocks...big time!!!
    author: Astronominus

    This CD is amazing. I just ordered based on the demo tracks available on CDBABY...and I more than enjoyed listening to all the tracks. Fantastic début album. Kudos to SHADOWPLAY!!! Keep Rocking.

  • Lyrical and moving
    author: Sherrie

    The music soars and takes you with it.

  • Melodic, powerful and moving
    author: Fiona

    Fantastic album, very powerful, atmospheric and haunting! The writing style is very clever and makes excellent use of Alisha's beautiful voice and the very obvious musical talents of Duane, Linus, Uwe and Guy! Interesting and beautiful keyboards, powerful, technical, creative and emotive gutiars, intricate and rhythmic percussion and hauntingly beautiful vocals...simply fantastic!

  • Melodic, atmospheric, and with an astonishing depth. Highly recommended!
    author: Julia

    I liked Shadowplay's songs the first moment I heard some of them. Music, lyrics and voice was exactly what I was looking for. So I've waited quite a long time for the debut album to appear, and finally it's out. I wasn't disappointed, it was well worth the wait. Melodic, atmospheric, sad, dramatic, and with a depth that is astonishing. Highly recommended!

  • ShadowPlay Demo cd Review
    author: Gigs Unlimited

    Astonishing, amazing, incredible, and fantastic. Just a sample of the words I have for this band. Not quite the best thing since sliced bread, but the loaf is looking mighty nervous. Speaking of looking nervous, Amy Lee had better be warned. Her reign at the top of the female lead rock tree is over. In Alitia Atkins, we have a new queen, and one that is going to rule for a loooooooong time. Unlike Evanescence however, this is a BAND, not a voice with some instruments behind it as the above bands album wants to be at times. Every single member of this band is on top of their game and they really do sound incredible. Everything you could want from an album of the year contender is here in abundance. Soaring choruses, dramatic choral lines, arena spanning guitars, stinking drums, beautiful pianos and THAT voice. One of the discs highlights for me has to be track 6, Unforgiven years. Although It doesn’t feature Ms. Atkins all that much (the majority of the vocals are left to Duane Bonney, I think. But guess what, he’s amazing to) Everything that Shadowplay are about is contained in this 7+ minute monster. Very moody and dramatic verses combine with an almighty chorus to make you glad that music was invented. This is only a demo, and the sound is great, so one can only guess what the finished product is going to sound like. At times achingly beautiful, at others just plain lump-in-the-throat powerful. In the end there is only one conclusion. More essential than oxygen. You need this! Review by Nat Whitham Rating :: 5/5

email

Please log in to email this artist.