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.
Inner Sanctum
Shadow Keep Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The paradox of your loneliness awaits for a sign
And the shadows of pain in circle around you
The ritual has begun
They seem so far away but unconscious and willingness
Have merged and become one and left you in this state
It's rather late to wonder if it was what you want
The endless gate is open now... waiting for you
Inner Sanctum will be your new home
Relieved from the weight of the world
Inner Sanctum a peace of mind
Where you'll live free away from sorrow
Are you sure you're alive
In full control of your intentional psycho-suicide
Be a shadow of pain by you, because of you
For the matter's not theirs to decide
They seem so far away but unconscious and willingness
Have merged and become one and left you in this state
It's rather late to wonder if it was what you want
The endless gate is open now... waiting for you
Inner Sanctum will be your new home
Relieved from the weight of the world
Inner Sanctum a peace of mind
Where you'll live free away from sorrow
Who keep us away from the truth and in the darkness manipulate
The innocents that we are materialising their own game
The privilege, the wonder wrapping around the masquerade
Shatter the gate and what's behind... appears to you
Inner Sanctum will be your new home
Relieved from the weight of the world
Inner Sanctum a peace of mind
Where you'll live free away from sorrow
The song "Inner Sanctum" by Shadow Keep is a reflection on the inner turmoil and isolation that people often experience. The song opens with the lyrics "In the depth of your mind, the paradox of your loneliness awaits for a sign," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer describes the pain and loneliness that surround them, and they feel trapped in a ritual of suffering. The lyrics suggest that the individual has merged with their pain and has become one with it.
As the song continues, the singer speaks of the endless gate opening up and waiting for them, suggesting a sort of escape from their pain. They describe this place as the "Inner Sanctum," a home where they will find peace of mind and be free from sorrow. The singer speaks of being unsure if they are alive and in control of their own destiny, and questions who is keeping them away from the truth.
Overall, the song speaks to the struggles of the human condition and the search for inner peace and happiness. The lyrics suggest that this peace can be found within oneself, but it takes a conscious effort to shatter the gate that keeps one in the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
In the depth of your mind
Your subconscious holds the key to unlocking your deepest emotions
The paradox of your loneliness awaits for a sign
Your internal struggle with feeling alone is waiting for a decisive moment
And the shadows of pain in circle around you
The trauma and suffering that you endure surround you on all sides
The ritual has begun
The process of spiritual transformation has started
They seem so far away but unconscious and willingness
You feel disconnected from your desires and impulses, but they are still influencing you
Have merged and become one and left you in this state
Your subconscious and conscious mind have fused together, altering your state of being
It's rather late to wonder if it was what you want
You have reached a point where questioning your desires is pointless
The endless gate is open now... waiting for you
The path to spiritual enlightenment is accessible, and you must take action
Inner Sanctum will be your new home
A place of peace and sanctuary will be your new reality
Relieved from the weight of the world
You will no longer feel burdened by the stresses of life
Inner Sanctum a peace of mind
Your mind will be at ease, free from anxiety and worry
Where you'll live free away from sorrow
You will be free from the emotional pain and distress that once plagued you
Are you sure you're alive
You question the meaning of your existence
In full control of your intentional psycho-suicide
You are aware of the mental and emotional harm that you are causing yourself
Be a shadow of pain by you, because of you
Your pain will follow you because of the actions you have taken
For the matter's not theirs to decide
You are the only one who can determine the course of your life and the outcomes that follow
Who keep us away from the truth and in the darkness manipulate
People or forces may conceal the truth from us and use deceit to control us
The innocents that we are materialising their own game
Despite being naive or innocent, we create and shape our own reality
The privilege, the wonder wrapping around the masquerade
The mystery and illusion of life can be alluring, but it can also be misleading
Shatter the gate and what's behind... appears to you
By breaking down internal barriers, you will uncover new truths and insights
Contributed by Christopher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.