Interviews About Albums: Where Shadows Dwell - Into The Abyss (2023)

In this new interview, we sat down with the British Metalcore artist Where Shadows Dwell to ask some questions about his album "Into The Abyss". 

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

This EP Album means a lot to us as it's our debut album. The songwriting part of it came quite easily as both of our minds were filled with ideas for a long time before we even started this project, we both got to know each other as work colleagues and found out we both have an appreciation for metal and songwriting, so this EP just felt right to create.

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

This EP is about the mental and physical challenges we all face on a daily basis and it's a reminder to people that we can all come out the other end with scars but able to live on. "Into The Abyss" is the embodiment of what goes on in our heads when we're left with our own thoughts. For example, the start of the album talks about physically fighting for your freedom amidst the chaos. Whereas when we get to "Demons" it's moreso about fighting the Demons within ourselves on a mental level and how they almost take over at times. Ending the album with "Won't Back Down" is our way of saying that no matter how hard it gets, we will get back up and continue to fight no matter what.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

We both had a hand in the composition of the EP and hired freelance vocalists to do the leg work with the vocals. On "Realm Of Sorrow" and "Won't Back Down" our vocalist of choice, Eric Castiglia, wrote the lyrics, however, we wrote the lyrics for the other two songs.

4. If you have to pick one song, which one would you pick?

Choosing a song as a favorite is very hard as they all have a very special and different meaning to us. But if we had to choose we would have to say "Won't Back Down". The uplifting elements and feel-good tones just make us want to not give up and to carry on doing what we're doing.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what it is?

The special message we would say would be to never give up and continue to fight, no matter how hard it can be at times. We all fight our own personal battles, be it physically, mentally, or both, and it's extremely important that you don't back down and keep going.

6. Are there some lyrics that you´d love to share?

Some of our favorite lyrics we wrote are in the song "Demons" as we feel that is the most emotional song that talks about the mental side of our battles. The lyrics that stand out to us are;

"The scars of mistakes etched upon my skin" because although the song is mainly about emotional trauma, that trauma can unfortunately lead to physical pain.

"Into The Abyss I drown". We decided to name the album after this line as it is exactly how it feels when you feel emotionally and physically drained from life, as though you have nothing left to fight for.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

For this album, the music itself was inspired by the bands we loved as teenagers. We would say our main musical inspiration was Killswitch Engage during the era of Howard Jones as their vocalist. We love that old-school style of metalcore and nobody really seems to do it anymore, so we decided to fill that void. In terms of the lyrics, we were inspired by our own mishaps in life as well as those of family and friends, some of whom are no longer with us anymore.

8. Something to add?

We just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported our musical journey so far, we're so very proud to be able to make music that you can all relate to and enjoy listening to. We may just be two coworkers from England, but we strive to make the best music that we can that will hopefully help you out of a dark place or even just make you headbang along.