Dreadful Shadows

Dreadful Shadows
Dreadful Shadows at Zita Rock festival 2008
Background information
Origin	Berlin, Germany
Genres	Gothic metal, Gothic rock, Darkwave
Years active	1993–2000 2007–present
Labels	Sounds of Delight, Deathwish Office, Oblivion
Associated acts	Zeraphine, Solar Fake
Website	http://dreadful-shadows.de
Members
Sven Friedrich - Vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar André Feller - Guitar Norman Selbig - Guitar Jens Riediger - Bass Ron Thiele - Backing Vocals
Past members
Reiko Jeschke (1993) Stefan Neubauer (1993-1996) Franc Hofer (1993-1996) Sebastian Olive Lange (1996)

Dreadful Shadows is a German Gothic metal band, formed in 1993 in Berlin. Initially part of the Gothic rock and Dark Wave movement, the band had developed considerably by the time of the release of their debut album, incorporating metal elements and modern electronics, causing the band to be considered part of the Gothic metal genre. Dreadful Shadows disbanded in 2000 to work on separate projects.

History

Formation

In 1993, Sven Friedrich, Reiko Jeschke, Franc Hofer, Jens Riediger and Ron Thiele founded Dreadful Shadows in Berlin and recorded their first demo. In the same year, guitarist Reiko was replaced by Stefan Neubauer. The band made some appearances in Germany, England and Denmark. The second demo was published, and was discovered by label Sounds of Delight. In December the band began work on their first full-length album Estrangement, which appeared in April 1994. Dreadful Shadows commenced a European tour (touring with Love Like Blood, Nosferatu and The Eternal Afflict, among others), making a name for themselves in the Netherlands, England and Denmark.

There followed in 1994 and 1995 some sampler contributions, further concerts and a festival (with Christian Death, Armageddon Dildos and The Eternal Afflict at the Zillo festival in December 1994) helping to increase Dreadful Shadows' popularity in Germany. In February 1995, the band went back into the studio to record the Homeless EP, which appeared in June 1995. The cover version of the New Order classic True Faith established itself in some clubs as dance hit. Subsequently, the band appeared with Cyan Kills E.Coli, at the Mise Noire festival in Madrid, along with bands Mephisto Walz and Girls Under Glass.

1995 - 2000

In December 1995 Dreadful Shadows separated from label Sounds of Delight. The band subsequently signed to Deathwish Office, the band-owned label of Love Like Blood. In March 1996, work began on the second LP Buried Again. During the process, the two guitarists Stefan Neubauer and Franc Hofer left Dreadful Shadows due to internal conflicts. Sven Friedrich and Tom Tony took over the guitar parts. In July 1996 André Feller left and a temporary guitarist in Sebastian Oliver Lange (In Extremo) was found. The latter was replaced on a long-term basis by Norman Selbig. The new line-up made an appearance at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen, followed by the album Buried Again and a tour of Germany and Europe (including an appearance at the Sacrosanct festival in London with bands such as Rosetta Stone and Vendemmian in August 1996).

In 1997, Dreadful Shadows moved to the record company Oblivion, releasing the single Burning the Shrouds. Following a support tour with fellow Gothic metal band Paradise Lost, the band's third studio album, Beyond The Maze, was released in February 1998. The promo tour took the band to Beirut/Lebanon. The release of the Tanita Tikaram cover Twist in My Sobriety concluded a successful year. Their qualities as live band were proved in 1999 when the Dreadful Shadows embarked on an extensive European tour.

Dreadful Shadows' last studio album, The Cycle, was released in September 1999. The band embarked on their final tour of Germany in the year 2000. Sven Friedrich and Norman Selbig formed Zeraphine shortly after the split. André and Ron formed 'Coma 51', whilst Jens formed his own label Andromeda Records and also the band 'Thanateros'.

2000 - 2007 (post break up)

During the years that followed, many of the Dreadful Shadows albums were remastered and re-released. First, in 2000 the double CD "Estrangement + Homeless" was released. It featured edited artwork and remixed sound. And later, in 2003, "Buried Again" was re-released with similar treatment and bonus tracks; such as cover versions of David Bowie and Marilyn Manson, and remixed versions of "Dusk" and "Paradize".

Also, in 2001, "Beyond The Maze" and "The Cycle" were repackaged and sold as one double CD by the label Oblivion, but they were not remastered.

2007 Live Shows - solo project

In 2007, several concerts are planned with Dreadful Shadows performing together as a group. The band are keen to stress that this is not a reunion, as nothing new is being performed or recorded. Fans can vote for the songs they want to hear on the band's website.

In related news, Sven Friedrich, the singer of Zeraphine and the Dreadful Shadows, launched his solo project Solar Fake.^[1] Solar Fake is a pure electro project and brings what Friedrich describes as pulsating sequencers, driving beats and sometimes wild and aggressive vocals with intensive melodies and melancholic moments. A debut album is planned to be released in February 2008 via Synthetic Symphony/SPV.

Discography

Albums

• Estrangement (1994)

  1. Resurrection
  2. Over the worst
  3. Dead can wait
  4. Stil alive
  5. Through the mirror
  6. Funeral procession
  7. A sea of tears
  8. Dirge
  9. Her devotion
 10. The release
 11. Estrangement
 12. Dead can wait (acoustic)

• Buried Again (1997 re-released 2003 with bonus tracks)

     1. Providence
     2. Chains
     3. Condemnation
     4. Dusk
     5. Obituary
     6. Everlasting words
     7. Dissolution
     8. Mortal hope
     9. The racking call
    10. Buried again
    11. Dusk
    12. Outside (David Bowie cover version)
    13. Paradize
    14. Coma White (Marilyn Manson cover)

• Beyond The Maze (1998) (Limited edition issued with bonus live CD)

     1. Crusade
     2. Fall
     3. The figures of disguise
     4. Ties of time
     5. Craving
     6. The soil
     7. The drowning sun
     8. Dosolated home
     9. Burning the shrouds
    10. Beyond the maze

• The Cycle (1999)

     1. Prelude
     2. Futility
     3. New day
     4. A better God
     5. Intransigence
     6. Torn being
     7. Courageous
     8. The vortex
     9. Awakening
    10. Vagrants in space
    11. Calling the sun
    12. Exile
    13. The cycle
    14. Twist in My Sobriety (Tanita Tikaram cover)

• Estrangement + Homeless (2000) (combination of previously released album and EP)

Singles and EPs

• "Homeless EP" (1994 - EP)
• "Burning The Shrouds" (1998 - Single)
• "Twist In My Sobriety" (1999 - Single)
• "Futility" (1999 - Single)
• Apology EP (2000 - sold only at shows)

References

1. ^ Solar Fake signs to Synthetic Symphony/SPV