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.
Altar Of Madness
Shadow Keep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To ask a favour... a favour
I need your raison-d'ªtre
To create the vision... arrest my decision
A life for a life
Flesh for blood - Flesh for blood
I feel the shame spreading in your veins
All is so confused, you thought you were immune
Come closer to the altar I promise
It won't endeavour to devour you
Don't turn away, don't hold your breath
Your mission... repel the repulsion
A life for a lie
Slay the goat - Slay the goat
As you watch blood stains stretching along the drain
The Being seems amused of your misfortune
The altar of madness has become a part of you
A pit of darkness for all humanity in you
The elder of madness wants you to share his views
A world of sadness... His world of sadness
As you watch blood stains running along the drain
The Being seems amused of your misfortune
The altar of madness has become a part of you
A pit of darkness for all humanity in you
The elder of madness wants you to share his views
A world of sadness obscure the sky above you
The lyrics to Shadow Keep's song "Altar of Madness" depict a dark and disturbing scene in which the singer is being asked to make a sacrifice in exchange for a vision. The singer is being led to an altar, which they are warned not to turn away from, and are told that they must slay a goat in order to gain the favor they seek. The lyrics are infused with vivid and unsettling imagery that highlights the gruesome nature of the sacrifice and the sense of shame and confusion that the singer is experiencing.
The lyrics also suggest that there is some kind of malevolent supernatural force at work, as evidenced by the line "The Being seems amused of your misfortune". The singer is being drawn into the world of the "elder of madness", and the darkness and sadness that pervades it is slowly taking hold of them.
Overall, the song paints a bleak and terrifying picture of a descent into madness and despair, and highlights the destructive power of obsession and the dangers of exploring the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you realise you've come to me
Are you aware that you have sought me out?
To ask a favour... a favour
To request something from me... something specific
I need your raison-d'ªtre
I require your reason for being
To create the vision... arrest my decision
To bring forth the image in my mind... to solidify my choice
A life for a life
One existence traded for another
Flesh for blood - Flesh for blood
Physical material for vital fluid
I feel the shame spreading in your veins
I sense the embarrassment flowing through you
All is so confused, you thought you were immune
Everything is jumbled, you believed you were invincible
Come closer to the altar I promise
Approach the place of worship, I assure you
It won't endeavour to devour you
It will not attempt to consume you
Don't turn away, don't hold your breath
Do not look away, do not stop breathing
Your mission... repel the repulsion
Your objective... to push back against the disgust
A life for a lie
One existence surrendered for a falsehood
Slay the goat - Slay the goat
Kill the animal - Kill the animal
As you watch blood stains stretching along the drain
While you observe the blood marks extending through the drainage
The Being seems amused of your misfortune
The entity appears entertained by your misfortune
The altar of madness has become a part of you
The place of worship for insanity is now a component of yourself
A pit of darkness for all humanity in you
A cavern of obscurity for all of mankind exists within you
The elder of madness wants you to share his views
The leader of dementia desires for you to embrace his perspectives
A world of sadness... His world of sadness
A realm of sorrow... The leader's world of sorrow
A world of sadness obscure the sky above you
A world of sorrow obscures the sky overhead
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.