They are also veterans of festivals across Europe and America – including Bloodstock in the UK.
Now they’re back with powerful new frontman Matt Oakman – and ready to rip it up.
Shadow Keep were formed in 1999 by guitarists Chris Allen and Nikki Robson. That October, with vocalist Rogue M, they recorded a six-track EP at Thin Ice Studios, produced by Threshold guitarist Karl Groom. Their opus Dark Tower became the opener on a German mag’s CD for unsigned bands – and gained them a record deal with Limb Music Productions in June 2000. Two albums, Corruption Within and A Chaos Theory, followed to huge acclaim. The band soon gained support slots with Ronnie James Dio, Halford, Symphony X, Dream Evil plus Flotsam And Jetsam. These major shows led to appearances at festivals in the UK, America, Germany and Holland. Their touring had one benefit – the arrival of Texas bassist Stony Grantham. But other line-up changes held things up. Undeterred, ShadowKeep started work on third album The Hourglass Effect – again with Karl Groom at Thin Ice. The sessions produced some of Chris and Nikki’s most creative songwriting.
A Distant Paradox
Shadow Keep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comprehend all the forces by which Nature is animated,
Nothing would be uncertain and the future, like the past,
Would be present to its eyes" Marquis de Laplace
Seasons cycle, in full circle
A subtle kiss of frost
Burns my lips, a numb of cold
Distress - We're doomed
No shelter No sanctuary
Our lifes depend on a Chaos Theory
Destress - Resume
To a normal day sequence
Your feeble life depends on a Chaos Theory
The lyrics in Shadow Keep's song "A Distant Paradox" seem to be contemplating the idea of a higher intelligence that could understand all the forces of nature. The quote from the Marquis de Laplace at the beginning suggests that if such an intelligence existed, nothing would be uncertain and the future would be just as visible as the past. However, the rest of the lyrics seem to suggest that humans are not blessed with this kind of understanding and that we are at the mercy of the chaotic forces of nature.
The chorus repeats the phrase "No shelter, no sanctuary, our lives depend on a Chaos Theory" which seems to indicate that we are vulnerable to the unpredictable and often destructive forces of nature. The verse continues with the image of the cyclical seasons coming full circle and a "subtle kiss of frost" which could potentially be fatal. The line "Hibernation - maybe forever" could be interpreted as a metaphor for death.
The second half of the song has a more hopeful tone, as it encourages listeners to "destress" and resume a normal day sequence. However, the line "Your feeble life depends on a Chaos Theory" seems to suggest that this is easier said than done and that we are still at the mercy of the unpredictable forces of nature.
Overall, the lyrics of "A Distant Paradox" seem to be exploring the idea of our vulnerability to the forces of nature and our inability to fully comprehend or control them.
Line by Line Meaning
Seasons cycle, in full circle
Time never stands still, but moves in a never-ending cycle.
A subtle kiss of frost
Winter has arrived imperceptibly.
Burns my lips, a numb of cold
The cold weather has a physical effect on the body.
Hibernation - maybe forever
The end of life is like a long sleep without the possibility of waking up.
Distress - We're doomed
We are in trouble and there seems to be no way out.
No shelter No sanctuary
There is no protection or refuge for us.
Our lifes depend on a Chaos Theory
Our existence is subject to the laws of chance and unpredictability.
Destress - Resume
To cope with the situation, we must return to our regular routine of life.
To a normal day sequence
The daily repetition of our activities is a way of coping with stress.
Your feeble life depends on a Chaos Theory
Our existence, although frail and vulnerable, is still part of the complex web of events that shape the universe.
Contributed by Mateo D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.