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ShadowPlay
Genre: Metal, Rock
Region: Perth, WA
Members: Alitia Atkins - Vocals Duane Bonney - Drums/Vocals Linus Chen - Guitars Uwe Harnisch - Bass Guy Lillico - Keyboards
Sounds Like: Evanescence, lacuna coil, Within Temptation
Influences: Dream Theater, Within Temptation, Symphony X
Artist Website: www.theshadowplay.com

Discover the progressive blend of haunting vocal melodies, powerful rhythms, stirring choral and orchestral arrangements and evocative lyrics that is ShadowPlay.

ShadowPlay's arduous history has finally culminated in their debut full-length release, a dark yet inspiring soundscape for those who believe music is about imparting meaning to its listeners. You decide whether it was worth the wait!

Formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2000, the band underwent significant changes in 2002: the departure of rhythm guitarist Con Ongarezos, the addition of lead vocalist Alitia, and a name change from "Modus Vivendi" to "ShadowPlay".

The name change was more than cosmetic - it was the band reinventing itself: Between 2000 and 2002, Modus Vivendi regularly showcased their brand of Dream Theater / Queensryche inspired progressive metal to audiences across Perth. With ShadowPlay, the band wanted to broaden their musical horizon to incorporate female vocals, strong vocal melodies, harmonies and electronica.

In November 2002, ShadowPlay began writing and recording their debut album in Perth, Western Australia. The album was scheduled to be completed before the band relocated to Manchester, England in July 2003. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, the band left for Manchester without a finished product. Recording only resumed in September 2003, when their instruments arrived from Australia.

Their time in Manchester proved to be a testing one. Living together is not easy at the best of times. The stress of leaving home to settle in a foreign land where they knew no one only made it harder. The band broke up after only 9 months, but not before winning a few fans with their performances at legendary Manchester venues like Night and Day Cafe, Dry Bar and Jabez Clegg.

Duane, Guy and Linus continued to perform as ShadowPlay, with Michelle Adamson, and later with Fiona Creaby, on vocals. They were never able to find a suitable replacement for Uwe.

Meanwhile, Alitia and Uwe returned to Australia in 2004. It felt inappropriate to release an album featuring their performances, but with the band photo featuring Fiona. In an attempt to overcome this infelicity, the band decided to delay the album release so that new material could be written for Fiona to be featured on it. Unfortunately this proved more difficult than they had anticipated.

Although Fiona had a phenomenal voice, it differed greatly from Alitia's. Featuring two lead vocalists on the same album was not ideal, but with Alitia's departure, they felt that they had no alternative.

In 2005, the recording process was brought to a premature end as Duane had to return to Australia. To make matters worse, they did not have a vocalist to finish the recording as Fiona resided in England. The album release had to be delayed indefinitely.

In retrospect, Duane's return to Australia was a blessing in disguise. Just when they were on the verge of giving up, Alitia and Uwe, agreed to record the new songs for the album and rejoin ShadowPlay.

2006 saw the band working on the album with renewed vigour. This involved continuously sending new and updated material back and forth between Australia and England, where Linus currently lives. This was a necessary, but extremely tedious and time-consuming process.

Their debut release is the culmination of five years of dedication, determination and hard work. It has seen the band journey through an incredible range of emotions and personal experiences, strengthen friendships and overcome the tyranny of distance. The one thing that has kept them going all that time is the Music, their love for it and the desire to share it with the rest of the world. They now welcome you to enjoy it.

ShadowPlay's Debut Album is out now and available at the link below.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/gothicshadowplay

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reviews

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The Awakening
rating:  5/5
Wow! Another fine track from these guys! The band's unique progressive influences come forth in this song.. Fantastic!!




The Awakening
rating:  5/5
This sounds sweet as, easily as good as any of the European and American goth bands out there, if not then BETTER!!! Love the keyboard bits, love the...




The Awakening
rating:  5/5
This is one of my favourite tracks on the ShadowPlay album. Not only because my boy is the singer :o) but also because it somehow sucks you in and ke...




The Awakening
rating:  5/5
This is progressive rock at its finest. Stunning musicianship. The male / female vocals work extremely well together in this track.



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This project is supported by the Australia Council, the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body, through its Music Board Section.