In the space of a few short years, Shadows Fall has risen from humble beginnings to being one of the most talked-about and respected metal bands on the scene. Formed by the guitarist pair of Jonathan Donais and Matthew Bachand, the band released a self-financed Somber Eye To The Sky that managed to get the name out, but it was the signing to Century Media and 2000's Of One Blood that really got the band going, and they followed it up two years later with the even better The Art Of Balance. Shadows Fall's influences are many, and they are seemlessly interwoven together to form a potent, original sound. There's a clear Gothenburg (Swedish melodic death) element (much more prevalent on Blood, but still noticeable on Balance), metalcore vocals from Brian Fair as well as the two guitarists (indeed, the vocals from the trio range from hardcore shouts to death growls to a mid-range clean style), a healthy traditional metal influence due to plenty of harmonized guitar leads, all held together by tight musicianship and ample aggression. The future appears very bright indeed for Shadows Fall.