Music from Shadows Fall's early days can be compared to metal legends such as Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden as their songs relied heavily on the start-stop tempo changes made famous by the aforementioned bands. The band also had a lot of death metal influences at the time. They began touring the New England area and eventually were able to obtain open slots for acclaimed metal bands such as Fear Factory and Cannibal Corpse. In 1997, the band released its first full length album, Somber Eyes to the Sky, on Matt Bachand's own Lifeless Records. This however, would be the only album the band would record with Labonte. He was replaced by current vocalist Brian Fair in 1998.
The band signed with the prominent underground metal record label, Century Media in 1999. Early during the following year, Shadows Fall released Of One Blood. Their sound was a still mixture of thrash, death metal, and hardcore with a little more hard rock influence thrown in due to the entry of the Brian Fair. Shadows Fall released their critically acclaimed album The Art of Balance in the year 2002 after going through another lineup change, this time replacing drummer David Germain with present drummer Jason Bittner.
The band really broke through when it acquired a slot on Ozzfest's second stage in 2003. The band's fanbase grew largely while touring the famed metal festival. As a result of the enlarged fanbase, their next effort, The War Within, released in 2004 broke in at #20 on the Billboard Top 200 and went on to sell over 300,000 copies. The band released a collection on B-sides, covers, and reworked tracks entitled Fallout from the War in 2006.
Shadows Fall, now more than a decade old as a band, signed to Atlantic Records and released their major label debut, Threads of Life, in 2007. The album, an all-out thrasher with beautiful acoustic passages littered here and there, erased any doubts that this band would fall by the way side under major label pressure.
The band released it's sixth full length album, titled Retribution on September 15, 2009 on the the band's own label, Everblack Industries through Warner Bros. The band continues with it's melodic thrash influenced attack here, again utilizing vocals from multiple members and the harmonized leads along with thrashy rhythm guitar work.
Shadows Fall released their seventh full length album, titled Fire From The Sky on May 15, 2012 through Razor & Tie. The Fire From The Sky Songfacts states that though not a concept record, a doomsday theme does link the songs together. The band moved in a bit heavier direction for this album when compared to their most recent work.
December
Shadows Fall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simplified in face and stature
Blessing in the storming
Sweetness of a subtle feature
Alone and safe inside
Without worry, with out knowing who's
Been cast aside
Twisted down, escape to rest
I will writhe in my December
These crafted understandings
Smother citadel defending
They'll miss a motive is cast together
The comfort, effort in the end
Alone and safe inside
Without worry
Who's been kept alive
Without knowing
I will writhe in my December
Learned, learned I love the air here
And I learned, learned I love the roar in my ears
I satiate this urge of mine, I substitute the urge to hide
Alone, alone and safe inside
The song "December" by Shadows Fall is a complex piece that speaks of the feeling of loneliness in the midst of chaos. The lyrics talk about being alone and safe inside, without the worry of the outside world. The first stanza speaks about the dark and stormy morning and how the simplicity of one's face and stature can be a blessing amidst the chaos. The sweet subtleness of one's character can be a source of comfort in the midst of the storm.
The second stanza speaks about how the crafted understandings can smother and defend one's citadel, but they miss the motive of being cast together. The comfort and effort in the end are what matter the most, even if it means being alone and safe inside without knowing who's been kept alive. The final stanza speaks of learning to love the air and the roar in one's ears, to satiate the urge inside and substitute the urge to hide.
Overall, the song speaks of finding solace in oneself amidst the chaos of the world. This song is an example of the depth and complexity that can be found in metal music. The lyrics are open to interpretation and can mean different things to different people, making it a powerful piece of art.
Line by Line Meaning
In the darkened shroud of morning
The beginning of the day is dreary and gloomy
Simplified in face and stature
People put on a facade and hide their true selves
Blessing in the storming
There can be beauty found in chaos or difficulty
Sweetness of a subtle feature
Simple things can bring joy and happiness
Alone and safe inside
Sometimes it's easier to be alone than around others who may cause harm
Without worry, with out knowing who's/Been cast aside
Not being aware of those around you who are struggling or overlooked
Twisted down, escape to rest
Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to escape for a while
I will writhe in my December
I will endure and struggle through this tough time
These crafted understandings
Perceptions that have been created rather than naturally occurring
Smother citadel defending
Suppressing one's natural defenses or instincts
They'll miss a motive is cast together
Others may not understand the true reasons behind someone's actions
The comfort, effort in the end
Taking the easy route will not have the same outcome as putting in the effort
Who's been kept alive/Without knowing
Not being aware of the struggles or triumphs of those around us
Learned, learned I love the air here
Discovering the appreciation for the present moment
And I learned, learned I love the roar in my ears
Finding beauty in the chaos and noise of life
I satiate this urge of mine, I substitute the urge to hide
Instead of hiding or avoiding, finding healthy ways to cope with urges or desires
Alone, alone and safe inside
Finding safety and solace in being alone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FRO SOSA, LEWIS A MARTINEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind