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Straight from the heartland, Shadowcaster has blended the best of metal and progressive metal into melodic
metal pieces with intricate arrangements. With an energetic live show, they have continued to increase their fan base in the Midwest and beyond. Their debut release 'Freedom' is available now at:
www.shadowcaster.net
BallBuster: Introduce your current line-up to our readers?
Rich Hessil: Lead vocals and guitars
Mike Morrison: Guitars and backing vocals
Dave Race: Drums and Percussion
Justin Krajenka: Bass
Jeff Brinkman: Keyboards
BB: How long has the group been in existance?
SC: Since early 1995. We released a self-titled EP about a year later. Rich and Dave are the only members left from that original effort. We released our full-length CD 'Freedom' in December of 2000. The current lineup has been in place for about a year.
BB: In your own words describe your band's sound
& influences?
SC: There is a great deal of 80's style metal sound. However, many of our songs feature arrangements which are more progressive.
Overall our sound is based around melody more than pure rawness. Our influences range from
Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Queensryche, to Rush, Yes, Dream
Theater, Kiss, Led Zepplin, and Sabbath. There are just so many artists
that have touched us in one way or another.
BB:Name
some bands in which you've shared the stage & opened?
SC:Katella, Victims of Voodoo, Such as Life, Cutthroat, BENT and many other local
bands.
BB: Where & what studio did the production take
place of your current release?
SC: We recorded and mastered 'Freedom' at Artist's Underground in New Berlin, Wisconsin with Troy Stetina co-producing.
BB: What is the current scene like in your local
area & how does Shadowcaster fit in?
SC: Milwaukee is a great music town, but the original metal scene has seen better days. Many of the clubs that
used to feature original metal have closed or changed formats. Having said that, we continue to have great success there and around the Midwest.
BB: What's the bands long & short term goals
as far as touring, recording, writing ect ?
SC: Short term, we are working on getting out and expanding our fan base outside of the Midwest. Long term, we are continuing to write new material. We'd also like to re-record the songs from our first EP with our current lineup.
I suppose ultimately, we'd like to get signed and go back in the studio.
BB: What would you say is your biggest gripe
about the music industry?
SC: It is not about the music. It is strictly business. No concern
for passion, emotion, creativity, or the well being of the artist.
BB: Has there been any label interest ?
SC: There has been some, but we feel that it is in our best interest to independently progress further at
this point so we have more leverage when a label finally does express
interest. Our thought is to not work to find a label, but instead work hard so
a label finds us.
BB: Anything you wish to ad?
SC: Yes! To all of our fans, thank you for the support.
http://www.shadowcaster-band.com
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