Somber Eyes to the Sky

Somber Eyes to the Sky is the debut on which Shadows Fall threw raw riffs, screamed vocals and lyrical guitar against each other. Jonathan Donais (lead guitar) and Matt Bachand (rhythm guitar) formed the band around 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts; here they're joined by Phil Labonte (vocals), Paul Romanko (bass) and David Germain (drums). Released in November 1997, self-financed on Bachand's own Lifeless Records and recorded at local Zing Studios. Rather than the polished metalcore of later years, what's strong here is the chill of Gothenburg-derived melodic death metal and an underground urgency. Adam Dutkiewicz, later known for Killswitch Engage, produced. Even with rough sound, the guitar melodies on “Revel in My Loss” and “Somber Angel” already have a clear identity. Many songs originate from early demos, and the violin-tinged instrumental “Lead Me Home” stands out. It's the only album with Labonte, who formed All That Remains the following year — a starting point that digs emotion out of aggression.