Shadows Fall Announce Hiatus, Plan North American Farewell Tour

August 25th, 2014

Kevin Blumeyer

After nearly two decades together, Massachusetts metal band Shadows Fall have announced their plans to take a hiatus from extensive touring. Alongside the likes of Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God, Shadows Fall was at the forefront of the “New Wave of American Heavy Metal” movement that dominated the scene in the early 2000s.

Shads was one of the biggest bands of my adolescence, and while I can’t say I didn’t see this one coming, that doesn’t make it any less upsetting.

The band’s peak came with 2004’s The War Within, which has sold more than 300,000 copies and earned the band a mainstage slot at Ozzfest 2005. Things have since cooled down for the band, and with founding guitarist Jon Donais formally joining thrash legends Anthrax a year ago, touring has become increasingly difficult. The band’s upcoming ‘Hell on Earth Tour’ alongside Unearth, The Acacia Strain, War of Ages and Pay No Respect will be their last run through Europe, while the band promises a “final” North American tour at some point over the next year. Read the full statement from the band below:

“The band has been touring non-stop for over a decade and has decided that it’s time to “take a hiatus” from future extensive touring. In addition to this upcoming European run, Shadows Fall are planning a final North American tour and will possibly visit a few other territories some time over the next year. We will post details once everything is locked in. There are many factors that are behind this difficult decision that the band has been dealing with for some time now. In a nutshell it comes down to families, member availability, and finances.

Further impacting our decision is the fact that we have two members with young children. Plain and simple, they want to be with their families to watch their kids grow. Touring full time in a band these days has never been more difficult financially. When you have to ensure the future comfort of your family, difficult decisions have to be made. Another reason is the fact that our lead guitarist (Jon Donais) is now in Anthrax, which makes it hard for us to do any extensive touring with our full lineup.

Due to his obligations with Anthrax, he will not be able to join us on this European tour. Felipe Roa will once again fill Jon’s position and we are thankful to him for joining us on this run. Also returning for this tour is original bassist Paul Romanko who has sat out from touring for the last two years to raise his son. This has been a real hard decision for all of us to make but we feel at this time this is the right thing to do. We don’t hate each other, we’re not bitter, we in fact still have a really great time together, but the ride has slowed down and it’s time for the next chapters in our lives, whatever that may be.

We can’t thank the fans that have supported Shadows Fall since the beginning enough. Without you, none of this would have been possible. For the past decade and a half, we have been able to create the music we have always wanted to hear and share it with music fans everywhere. That being said, you still may see us at a festival or two over the next few years…if they ask, we will come! In the meantime please check out the dates for the last European go around and we will see you out there!”

Hell on Earth Tour Dates:

08/29 Frankfurt, GER – Beachrock Helenesee
08/30 Munster, GER – Sputnikhalle
08/31 Rotterdam, NET – Da Baroeg
09/01 Koln, GER – Underground
09/03 Derby, UK – Hairy Dog
09/04 London, UK – Underworld
09/05 Liege, BEL – CCC
09/06 Oberbach, GER – Pell Mell Festival
09/07 Paris, FRA – Trabeno
09/08 Winterthur, SWI – Salzhaus
09/09 Ingolstadt, Weststadthalle
09/10 Prague, CZE – Futurum
09/11 Graz, AUT – Explosiv
09/12 Brixen, ITA – Club Max
09/13 Linz, AUT – Posthof
09/14 Aschaffenburg, GER – Colos-Saal