In one of the most gloriously metal things to happen in New England since someone screamed “SLAYERRR” at Dunkin’ Donuts, the city of Springfield, Massachusetts has officially declared July 18th as “Shadows Fall Day.” That’s right — the same city that gave us basketball and the Merriam-Webster dictionary now honors its own heavy metal hometown heroes.
During last night’s show at the MassMutual Center — where Shadows Fall opened for Lamb of God — Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stepped up to the mic (well, probably not literally, but you get the idea) and proclaimed Friday, July 18th as a day for the ages. Cue hair whips and synchronized windmilling.
The band — Brian Fair, Jonathan Donais, Matt Bachand, Paul Romanko, and Jason Bittner — were on hand to accept the honor. Let’s be real, it’s about time. These guys were pioneers of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal in the early 2000s and helped shape an era of neck pain and circle pits.
This ceremonial metal love-fest comes just months after Shadows Fall dropped “Souls Devoured,” a new track described by the band as a metallic anthem — the kind they’ve been crafting with a blend of melody, aggression, and thoughtful chaos for decades.
“You’re in for galloping solos, three-tiered vocals, massive melodies, and thoughtful lyrics,” the band promises. So basically, everything we’ve ever wanted.
So, What’s It About?
According to frontman Brian Fair, the lyrics dive straight into end-times territory — a world overrun by demons and disasters. Picture Mad Max with blast beats.
“It’s about fighting for survival as the planet crumbles around you and you realize the only way to survive it is to fight fire with fire,” Fair explains. So yes, it’s metaphorical. But also, totally not. Because as Fair puts it: “Facing pure evil by becoming that evil yourself. You know, heavy metal type shit.”
He also shares that “Souls Devoured” let him step outside his usual personal or philosophical writing and tap into a darker, more cinematic world of destruction, doom, and deliciously evil riffs. Or in other words: perfect Shadows Fall material.
Still Got It
The band signed with MNRK Heavy at the end of 2024 and also released “In the Grey,” a song that reintroduced them with equal parts nostalgia and sonic evolution. Don’t call it a comeback — okay, maybe do — but this latest run proves Shadows Fall hasn’t lost a step, just added a few more BPM.
Fair sums it up best: “It’s a song that captures what I believe is the true essence of Shadows Fall by bringing in elements of our past but with a clear eye towards the future.” A little groove, a little black metal, a dash of Pantera swagger, and a shot of melodic death — you know, just your average Tuesday in the writing room.
So next time you’re in Springfield, don’t forget to throw the horns on July 18. It’s officially Shadows Fall Day. The mayor said so.
