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.
Dark Tower
Shadow Keep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looming dark against the sky
Stands a tower of blackest stone
That outlasts time itself
Eyes behold this evil and malevolent monument
For it has claimed so many tortured souls
Wiped out in vain
The will of fate fulfilled its rage
-Dark Tower-
Your kingdom come - An heir is born
We will follow and your force will grow
Fear the eye of the hurricane
Latent power still unseen
Emerging from the sacred throne
That the child king sits upon
That leader rules over this malevolent monument
For his reign has taken a mighty dreadful toll
Forging your chains
The ruins we've made in enemies' land
Women we've raped, tortured, enslaved
-Dark Tower-
Your kingdom come - A crown of thorns
We will follow, destruction will flow
Decayed remains of heroes' grave
Martyrs insane, courageous, brave
-Dark Tower-
Your kingdom come - Your blazon is worn
We will follow the flag of sorrow
(Your kingdom come)
The lyrics of Shadow Keep's "Dark Tower" describe a towering structure made of black stone that stands ominously against the sky in a foreign land. This tower has claimed countless tortured souls and its malevolent nature is undeniable. Despite its evil reputation, a child king rules over it from his sacred throne, wielding immense power that is yet to be fully realized. The chorus ("Dark Tower, your kingdom come") suggests that this structure represents an oppressive regime that seeks to expand its rule and enslave those who stand in its way.
The verse that follows describes the destructive nature of this oppressive regime. The lines "The ruins we've made in enemies' land / Women we've raped, tortured, enslaved" paint a brutal picture of the destruction wrought by this malevolent force. The verse also describes the fallen heroes who have fought against the regime, martyrs who gave their lives in the fight for freedom. Despite their sacrifice, the regime persists, its power growing stronger with each passing day.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dark Tower" paint a bleak picture of a tyrannical regime that seeks to expand its rule at any cost. The tower represents not just a physical structure, but also the oppressive power that the regime wields. The child king is both an ominous symbol of this power and a vulnerable figure caught up in a cycle of violence that is beyond his control.
Line by Line Meaning
Off the shores of another land
In a distant place, not easily reachable
Looming dark against the sky
Appearing large and intimidating against the background
Stands a tower of blackest stone
A tower made of the darkest, hardest stone
That outlasts time itself
The tower is so old that it seems like it will exist forever
Eyes behold this evil and malevolent monument
People see this ominous, hateful structure
For it has claimed so many tortured souls
So many people have been lost or destroyed because of it
Wiped out in vain
Their demise was pointless and unnecessary
The will of fate fulfilled its rage
Destiny resulted in their terrible fate
Ends a decade, a forgotten page
The tragic events become a distant memory and are forgotten
-Dark Tower-
The name of the song
Your kingdom come - An heir is born
A descendant or successor has been born
We will follow and your force will grow
We will support the heir and the power of the tower will increase
Fear the eye of the hurricane
Be afraid of the most powerful and destructive part
Latent power still unseen
A hidden power yet to be discovered or realized
Emerging from the sacred throne
Coming out of the holy seat of power
That the child king sits upon
Where the young ruler has taken his place
That leader rules over this malevolent monument
The king has control over the wicked tower
For his reign has taken a mighty dreadful toll
The terrible impact of his rule has been significant
Forging your chains
Creating a situation where you are inescapably trapped or controlled
The ruins we've made in enemies' land
The destruction we have caused in the territory of our opponents
Women we've raped, tortured, enslaved
The terrible crimes we have committed against women
(Your kingdom come)
Reiteration of the song's title
Your crown of thorns
The symbol of your power is also your burden
A descendant of your own
You have a successor to continue your legacy
We will follow, destruction will flow
We will support you and the destruction caused by the tower will continue
Decayed remains of heroes' grave
The decomposed bodies of past heroic figures
Martyrs insane, courageous, brave
People who have died for their cause, even if it seemed foolish or irrational
Your blazon is worn
Your emblem is displayed or carried
We will follow the flag of sorrow
We will continue to support you, even though it causes grief and pain
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jameshunter3867
... Still my favorite track on the album! 😎🤘
@Zacsondy
I have always LOVED this song. I don't know any details about Rogue leaving, but he was the best part in my opinion.
@albycelle7123
super
@1MasterOfMetal
Killer cut !!!!
@18Brendonn
Esse sujeito canta muito e essa banda é excelente.