EPK – Graveshadow – The Uncertain Hour (2022) (M-Theory Audio)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“It’s hard to put into words exactly how thrilled we are to be putting out ‘The Uncertain Hour’, our third full-length release. Through all the challenges of putting together a new lineup and jumping immediately into the fire of writing and recording, I don’t think we could have asked for a better group. It’s amazing to see that despite the new faces, the music still followed the natural evolutionary path the band was on. I feel we came out of this stronger, and the music definitely reflects it. Musically we wanted to achieve a massive wall of sound for this record. We took extra care when tracking guitars and composing the orchestral arrangements to work together to take the listener away and into the stories the lyrics are telling. With the lyrics, we tried to capture the emotion of the stories, at times mournful and others full of rage or optimism. Harmony and melody were our focus, to create a soundscape that is dynamic, engaging and powerful. I think everyone will be excited from the first note to the closing chorus!” – William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar – Graveshadow
For fans of Sirenia, Insomnium, Beast in Black, Amaranthe, Nightwish
Album Title: The Uncertain Hour
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Label: M-Theory Audio
Distribution: Sony/The Orchard
Facebook.com/Graveshadow – Twitter.com/graveshadowband – YouTube – Instagram.com/graveshadow
Graveshadow.bandcamp.com – Apple Music – Spotify
“If I were to write a one-word review for ‘Ambition’s Price’ (the album), it would simply be “wow”. The power, the energy, the vocal range, and the sheer infectiousness oozing from every minute of the albums fifty-minute length is just outstanding.” – Metal Gods TV
‘Ambition’s Price’ chosen as one of the top albums of 2018 by The Metal Sucks Podcast
“Graveshadow is a band born from universal metal and lyrical themes we all know and love. There’s really not a bad moment on the album. – This Noise Beneath The Snow
“Their Nocturnal Resurrection debut contains all sorts of Euro castle-storming flair, sounding wholly un-American (which is fine), while in the process, establishing these four dudes and two ladies as a band who is better than meets the eye.” – Dead Rhetoric
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: The Uncertain Hour
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Label: M-Theory Audio
Distribution: Sony/The Orchard
Track Listing:
1. Soldier of 34 (6:04)
2. Gwynnbleidd (4:18)
3. Sea of Apparitions (3:55)
4. The Swordsman (5:28)
5. Vengeance of Envy (3:57)
6. A Beautiful End (4:54)
7. The Betrayer (4:12)
8. Shadow Battles (4:19)
9. The Two Lived (6:45)
10. Damsel’s Finesse (7:05)
Album Length: 51:04
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Graveshadow
• All songs written by: Aaron Robitsch, William Lloyd Walker, Rachl Raxx Quinn
• Produced by: Graveshadow and Justin Aufdemkampe
• Mixed by: Justin Aufdemkampe
• Mastered by: Alberto de Icaza
• Album Artwork by: Roman Ismailov
• Member of ASCAP
Album and Live Band Line Up:
William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar
Rachl Raxx Quinn – Lead Vocals
Aaron Robitsch – Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Harsh Vocals, Orchestrations
Luci Rae – Bass
Bones Padilla – Drums
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The album as a whole explained by William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar – Graveshadow
Musically we wanted to achieve a massive wall of sound for this record. We took extra care when tracking guitars and composing the orchestral arrangements to work together to take the listener away and into the stories the lyrics are telling. With the lyrics, we tried to capture the emotion of the stories, at times mournful and others full of rage or optimism. Harmony and melody were our focus, to create a soundscape that is dynamic, engaging, and powerful. (Answered by William Lloyd Walker)
Track by track explained by William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar – Graveshadow
Gwynnbleidd
A straightforward, driven power metal song with lyrics weaving a tale of destiny and its inevitability. Also, living one’s life authentically is the only option.
Soldier of 34
A mournfully melodic track whose lyrics explore the hopelessness many feel in the face of losing a loved one. Processing those emotions but resolving in the final chorus with a desire to push forward.
Sea of Apparitions
A rhythm and harmony-heavy track that kicks off like a kick in the teeth. Delving into the importance of tackling challenges head-on instead of cowering before them and how the bonds of those closest to you are the most important resource.
The Swordsman
A crushingly heavy assault against the backdrop of soaring orchestral arrangements whose lyrics showcase that there is reason within chaos and that a life free from worry is not always the respite that it seems.
Vengeance of Envy
A balanced rock/metal assault whose lyrics delve into the concepts of loss of identity in pursuit of vengeance and the hate that can come along with it. Moreover how love and warmth can temper hate, becoming stronger than vengeance under the guile of justice.
A Beautiful End
A riff-heavy powerhouse that explores the duality of self and that even in death, there is beauty.
The Betrayer
A melodic powerhouse with harmonic accents and soaring orchestrations. Lyrically it explores betrayal, loss of family, and the will to carry on.
Shadow Battles
A rhythm and harmony-heavy track exploring the concepts of living in your father’s shadow and the desire to break toxic cycles in order to seize control of one’s own life. That family is sometimes the ones you choose, rather than the bloodline you were born into.
The Two Lived
A slow-moving, doom-heavy track with mournful orchestral arrangements. Exploring the concepts of duality and co-dependence. Underlying themes that violence is never the solution and that war must be avoided at all costs.
Damsel’s Finesse
A symphonic, groove-oriented track meant to sweep the listener away into a tale of pain, suffering, regret, and how facing adversity can lead to personal growth previously unimaginable.
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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Aaron (Lead/Rhythm Guitar and Harsh Vocals) is something of a machine, he is always coming up with new song ideas. What’s even better is that usually, he’s pitching something that’s near-complete, sans vocals. It’s great because it means we end up with a plethora of material to work through and are able to sort out what we feel are the strongest and best tracks for the record.
2. Bringing in Rachl was a no-brainer from the beginning. As soon as I ( William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar) heard her audition tapes, after listening for about 30 seconds I stopped the track and called Aaron. I told him to do whatever was necessary to get her on board. The dynamics and sheer power in her voice were exactly what we needed going into this next record and album cycle. Not only that but she’s one of the most amazing people you could meet and work with. She’s kind and caring but has no problem voicing her opinion when she doesn’t agree with something. We couldn’t have asked for a better comrade in arms to get this train rolling again.
3. I (William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar) think one of the best shows we ever did was opening for Tarja Turunen in Juarez, Mexico. Shows are their own beast and there are always challenges, but that night everything that could have gone wrong did. Issues with soundcheck, gear getting to the venue and a delayed start saw our set whittled down from 45 minutes to 15 minutes. We couldn’t check our orchestrations, so we had to run with songs that had no orchestral breaks, which was only a handful. We went out there and left it all on the stage that night, one hand tied behind our backs. The standing ovation and the RUSH of people to the merch booth after was one the greatest highs I’ve ever experienced. We can’t wait to get back and connect with our fans south of the border and beyond again!
4. It’s been mentioned in reviews before, but we draw a lot of lyrical inspiration from books/shows/video games/movies that touched our hearts in one way or another. We like to pick characters or stories whose experiences/message applies to a variety of life experiences. Not only that, it’s almost like a love letter to the universes that helped us get through some of the most difficult challenges in our lives. Sometimes there isn’t always a friend or family member who can relate to what you’re going through, and a good book or video game offers an escape to process and heal. ‘The Betrayer’ for example is about Maeiv Shadowsong from the Warcraft universe, a character who watches her closest comrades slaughtered by her people’s greatest enemy. The burden she carries of avenging her comrades, brother and people in the face of betrayal is one that sounds grandiose, but can be applied to everyday experiences. Her story was one that helped me process feelings of loss and betrayal when my life was falling apart around me. Being able to connect with a character who abandons everything to pursue what she knows to be right was fuel to keep putting one foot in front of the other and push for a better life for myself. Sometimes it helps to contextualize our own feelings against the backdrop of a character who is facing insurmountable odds, but comes out victorious. It can be incredibly empowering.
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Left to Right: Bones Padilla – Drums, Luci Rae – Bass, Rachl Raxx Quinn – Lead Vocals, William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Aaron Robitsh – Lead/Rhythm Guitar and Harsh Vocals
Photo Credit – Rob Watkins – Watkins Media
Graveshadow is a 2016 “Sammie” winning (Sacramento News & Review) symphonic metal band from Sacramento, CA. Graveshadow was originally conceived in the winter of 2012 by rhythm guitarist, William Lloyd Walker. The current line-up features Walker along with vocalist Rachl Raxx Quinn, lead guitarist Aaron Robitsch, drummer Bones Padilla, and bassist Luci Rae.
After putting out two records in their debut ‘Nocturnal Resurrection’ (Mausoleum Records) and sophomore effort ‘Ambition’s Price’ (M-Theory Audio) the group has been praised for their genre-blending and mold-breaking approach to symphonic metal. Extensive touring through 2017 until the end of 2018 with the likes of Anvil, Unleash the Archers, Night Demon, Sirenia, Arkona, and more, the group forged a solid foothold before personal matter led to the exit of many of its original members. Galvanized with a new lineup, Graveshadow is preparing for the release of their third record ‘The Uncertain Hour’ via M-Theory Audio in 2022 and is ready to step back onto the scene.
The Graveshadow sound is defined by crushing guitars, beautiful keyboard melodies, thundering bass, and earth-shattering drums. Powerful operatic vocals shift into unearthly growls to create a rich and dynamic atmosphere that is ripe for storytelling. Whether it is a tale of personal struggle or of fantastical creatures, the listener is sure to find themselves immersed in a world apart.
Album and Live Band Line Up:
William Lloyd Walker – Rhythm/Lead Guitar
Rachl Raxx Quinn – Lead Vocals
Aaron Robitsch – Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Harsh Vocals, Orchestrations
Luci Rae – Bass
Bones Padilla – Drums
Discography:
2022 – The Uncertain Hour
2018 – Ambition’s Price
2015 – Nocturnal Resurrection
2014 – Graveshadow – EP
2013 – Blood and Fire – Single
Shared Stage with:
Children of Bodom, Apocalyptica, Unleash the Archers, Night Demon, Sirenia, Arkona, Threat Signal, Anvil, Tarja Turunen, Angra, Wednesday 13, Doyle, Sanctuary, Iced Earth, John 5, Exmortus, Warbringer
Tours and Festivals:
2018: Sirenia/Threat Signal (tour)
2018: Headline Tour
2017: Sirenia/Arkona (tour)
2017: Anvil/Night Demon (tour)
2016: Anvil/Unleash the Archers (tour)
Artists Endorsements: ESP
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