• Sometimes to write an introduction for a band is very difficult, because you have to find some words that will move the interest of the readers. Anyway i think the words of  Michael Maier are the most proper to describe the thoughts of SHADOW KEEP's vocalist and the whole interview: "No progress can be made without study and reading of authors, for study removes ignorance and brings human understanding to the true knowledge of everything."

1. GIVE A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF THE BAND AND WHO ARE THE CURRENT BAND
MEMBERS?

• I shall be brief indeed: The band formed in early 1999 around Chris Allen, Nicki Robson and myself. We self-financed our debut later the same year and this lead us to get involved with LMP who released our 1st album 'Corruption within' in September 2000.

• At present, the band features - aside Chris (G), Nicki (G) and myself (V) - Scott Higham, who was Angel Witch drummer before they split up last year. He has been with us for almost a year and truly deserves a big bravo for his work on SK's second album to be released later this year.

• The bass player on our new album is Steve Scott but he will not be touring with us due to other commitments. I believe you spoke to Steve recently regarding PowerQuest, the band he formed in early 2001.

• The band's name was there when I joined in March '99 but since then I had many chat with Chris regarding this subject. It is clear that it bears a good sense of mystisism and hermetism - we do like that.

• I think ShadowKeep's messages are very subttle and reveal their powerful implications through the study of what is implied rather than what is said. Hence the 'Shadow' part of our name: the message exists but has to be thought through...

• The 'Keep' part is a statement that we will stick to our guns, musically speaking, whatever happens in term of trends and marketshares! The genuine passion that we place in our songs is what keeps us from drifting from what we are as human beings. I cannot imagine it being otherwise. ... as far as other bands are concerned, I cannot say. I think it is important for musicians to relate to their name but as a listener I don't ask myself the reasons for a band to choose a name. My favourite band is Pretty Maids... I think if I had had preconceived ideas I probably would have never checked them out, if you see what I mean hahaha.

• yes. The album is entitled 'A Chaos Theory'. All I can say at this stage is check out www.chaosgenesis.com and of course www.shadowkeep.co.uk for infos related to the album in the next few weeks. This is truly a major stepping stone for the band, both musically and lyrically... more mature in all respect!

• ACT is a logical progression from 'Corruption Within', especially compared to the tracks written for the completion of this album, like Meta-Morale. It is both aggressive AND melodic, which I would say (without pretentious afterthought) ShadowKeep had showed already some talent mixing. This album is not fundamentally different yet it is a step beyond its predecessor in all departments: slightly more technical, slightly more progressive, slightly more addictive... all for the better of course.

• I am not a fiction writer. 'Corruption Within' featured a lot of metaphors which sometimes were perceived at their face value. I don't regret it because for me the listener is free to enjoy my lyrics at the level that they feel comfortable with. Thinking otherwise would be elitist and I'm all but elitist... Anyway, the bottom line is I'm not a fiction writer. I write about what is itching me the most: what is a human being and why in the light of his insignificance in the vastness of the things out there can't he take a low profile? e.a. respect his environment, the other species on earth and its own, etc. As a result I write about tolerance and freedom... the "existence ground" as I like to call it...

• ACT is a concept album. It is a mixture of philosophy, theology and post-newtonian scientific arguments:up until recently, sciences (not mentioning religions) were deterministic in the sense that they provided an answer to our inner fears. Not so much an answer but a illusion of security.

• 20th century theories are much more pleasant in my view because they stress the complexity surrounding us. It still make sense to study phenomenons throughout the universe but now we have that essential humble approach that makes us creative on our way to understand our condition. This is what the hindus implied with the meaning of the abhaya: Fear is an illusion. Everything that has been created must be destroyed so why worry?

• The songs on 'Corruption Within' were essentially inspired by difficult moments in my life at the time I wrote them. Some of course are related to the band's life since most of the time my existence revolves around it. The song 'Corruption Within' happened when I lost my innocence... by that I mean the utopic vision that a group of people with the same aim could only go in one direction.

• It was clear to me that the business aspects of the band were interfering with our artistic views but this is not to say that I reject the business position... It is a necessary evil if you want to bring your dreams further. In any case I wrote this song during Xmas 1999 so it is completely unrelated to any partners we were involved with at the time since we were pretty much our own boss back then: I was merely accepting the metamorphosis from the early days to the public days, that's all.

• Marketing requires etiquettes. To that extend I was fairly happy with the promotion surrounding 'Corruption Within' but for me ShadowKeep IS ShadowKeep and nothing else. I believe ACT truly speaks this message for us. I think LMP's promotion was adequate for a first album. It will evolve with every album we make and the recognition we gain as a result... I am not worried.

• This is really our number one priority before we go back again to the studios. I don't think ShadowKeep has ever written a song that didn't deserve to be part of a show but still, with one album out it was difficult for us to do long shows because by the time you got the adrenalin pumping hard, your 60 minutes shows end up being just over 40 mins which is barely sufficient for support slots. Now we have enough quality material to kick some serious ass.

• What I don't like about the industry is much the same as what I don't like about human nature in general:Fear of the unknown, competitive behaviour for survival, etc. This is what lead the business to suffocate the artists who stray away from the main stream... It is truly a form of racism and for the same reason: insecurity.

• As far as England is concerned, this is very much a good example of what is called "the economic of culture penetration". It has or will happen everywhere but unfortunately the UK seems to suffer from this in a rather persistant manner. This works on this principle: Business uses big cities like London as a lab - they build a marketing plan then coerce the masses to accept what they worked out is best for them. When the disease holds the heart, it will spread to the rest of the body through its lymphatic system e.a. the press etc.

• This is why the name ShadowKeep is very important for us, as explained above. We don't want to play this game. We may despair sometimes but I don't think there is happiness to be gathered as a non-self-critic individual. Fortunately, there are others who thinks along the same line in England... I remember Richard West (Threshold) reporting a comment from Karl Groom about their situation in the early days: "Let's do some records until we're old and grey, if they don't sell they don't sell". This is truly admirable and a source of inspiration for us, away from greed and opportunism.

• Well assuming you get your hands on ACT shortly I would say 'Chaosgenesis' because it is a very deep song - the bridge goes "No love / No life / No understanding" which was a turning point at the time we wrote ACT because as a human being you intuitively sense that you have to feel respected and understood to enjoy life but this is all in your head. You can nudge your own destiny in any way you want if you reach for the power inside you "But are you ready for it?"... this obviously requires some adjustments to the way you think.

• From a listener's point of view (and despite Chaosgenesis being very strong musically nevertheless) my pick would be: ACT - Beware THe Signs / CW - Meta-Morale

• I would not change a thing. I am what I am as a result of my past and altering any part of it would not make sense. It would be ackoweldging that I have remorses which I don't... Althought I wish I had met my soulmate when I was younger, I'd rather wish that we live united until well over what I'm expecting to live... this is a more positive way I think - facing the future!

• I do. I like to share my time reading a mixture of scientific works and fiction stories. This approah helps me put the infos I find in the former in the format of the later which makes it all the more enjoyable for everybody. I'm not seriously thinking about bombarding our audience with far-reaching lines all the time... this would decrease their impact.

• My favourite book is Myst - the book of Atrus by David Wingrove and the Miller brothers. This is the backgroung story to the famous bestselling game Myst. To be honest, I was not expecting much from the novel but it turned out to be a masterpiece. There is a blend of metaphysic and philosophy to be found here. It is about creating worlds by pure power of the mind and the responsability of the Demiurge towards his crations. truly brilliant!

• I am not much of a movie freak. I wouldn't mind nevertheless having a go at a soundtrack but this would have to be a Tim Burton film... The Nightmare Before Christmas would suit me well really. As a matter of fact if you listen to that bridge I was talking about in Chaosgenesis you'll find it very much similar to a Dany Elfman tune actually. It is a complete coincidence as Nicki, who wrote the song, never saw this great animation movie.

• I condemn both sides to have let tension build up and burst in such a brutal and inhuman way. Terrorism on one side and calculated retalliation on the other... I do not wish to be swallowed into the argument. I blame myself for having lost faith in human nature a long time ago though.

• We would like to thank all our fans for their support and patience while we were writing an album that I'm convinced most will be pleased with. As for us this is a moment of joy - ACT is what we wanted to bring you ass a reward for spreading the word for the last 2 years. Thank you!