Solace in the Shadows
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Solace in the Shadows, a band formed in Havertown, PA in 1995, were arguably the ultimate purveyors of blasphemous blackmetal and death metal in the Philadelphia region.
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[edit] The Early Days - Causing Trouble in the Neighborhood
Formed initially under the name Armageddon, the band began their mischievous career playing house parties and Bar Mitzvahs for no pay except sodas and cake. The band's hand was in more than music, and a collection of films were shot under the production name of Armageddon Productions which included a number of classic short films including the six-part Drunk Man Chronicles, Old Four Eyes, The Bear From Hell, The Salem Witch Trials, The Boston Massacre, and Rambo: Interdemensional Fighter. Production on a DVD collection of these short films is currently under production as of Fall 2006.
Initially formed with founding members Matt Moore, Patrick Battaglia, and John Sheldon, the lineup was rounded out with the addition of chubby bass-player Jason Conrad in early 1996, who began his career with the band performing vocals for a brief period before pruchasing a Dean Playmate 4-string beast known as the Blue Bastard from 80s rock and porno fan Nate Fleischer.
Early hits included the self-titled track "Armageddon", as well as "Bloody Mess on the Concrete", "Human Hood Ornament", and "Evil Truth". Without a drumkit, Patrick was forced to make use first of a plastic tire, a crash symbol, and a snare stand. Later in 7th grade, Patrick acquired a snare drum, and eventually, a monstrous collection of drums.
Despite countless parent-teacher meetings over concerns that the members of Armageddon were desensitized, violence-obsessed Satan worshippers who read the Satanic Bible and occult books on Magick rituals, the band persisted to work on old and new material on a weekly basis with the goal of getting into a studio as soon as possible.
After a couple of sludgy-sounding 4-track tapes under the name Armageddon, the band acquired the keyboard skills of Hugh Morretta and entered Big Sky Studios in Springfield, PA under the name Solace in the Shadows.
[edit] Solace in the Shadows
1. The Ashes of Armageddon
2. L'amertume
3. Rape
4. Devil's Kiss
5. Blood
6. Empathy for the Dead
An amazing first effort includes a blend of brutal death metal found on tracks like Rape and Blood and vicious black metal on L'amertume and Devil's Kiss. The tape sold well and garnered the band much props and respect in the Havertown metal circuit and piqued the interest of a few record labels as well.
[edit] ...Of Darkness in Angels
1. The Netherblaze
2. Haunting Purity's Gates
3. By Night We Burn
4. Devil's Kiss
5. Blood and Tears Adorn Our Embrace
Recorded in North Philadelphia at Milkboy Studios, this release featured the return of bassist Jason Conrad after a brief hiatus during which Matt Moore and John Sheldon switched off guitar and bass playing for various songs, and Jason wore shirts with buttons on them before purchasing the "Fear Factory shirt" and making a smashing return to the band. A dark, black expose of Solace in the Shadows' abilities, this album features the smash-hit-single By Night We Burn and the 500 CD pressing quickly sold out at $5 a pop.
[edit] Blackheart Lake
1. Firestorm
2. Pulse of the Shadowsphere
3. And So She Must Die
4. Dying Under a Green Dawn
5. Blackheart Lake
6. Castle of Five
7. Knights of the Black Round
8. The Dead
Believed by some to be the most amazing Solace in the Shadows release, this album is a blend of black metal and power metal with songs extending to six and seven minutes of darkness and might. The album opens with the epic and amazing Firestorm and closes with the brutal and relentlessly blasphemous The Dead, sandwiching in amazing power in the middle tracks. Blackheart Lake, recorded in a makeshift studio in the home of then guitarist Matt Moore during a grueling summer filled with long sessions of recording, mixing, and editing led to the breakdown and departure of Matt to pursue other musical ventures and to regain the briefly lost love of Havertown vixen Carly Johnson.
[edit] The Screaming to Survive EP
1. Faithful Undead
2. Abysmal Paths
3. Begone
4. Scream to Survive
Recorded in Waldorf, Maryland at Nightsky Studios alongside the excellent engineering abilities of metal superstar Ron Vento, this album featured the debut of guitar virtuoso Ryan Moll (who many compare affectionately to guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen) following the departure of guitarist Matt Moore and keyboardist Hugh Morretta. This album marks the band's final, most bare bones, and best produced recording with four punishing metal tracks to end any killer career.
[edit] Final Days
In May of 2005, Solace in the Shadows played their final show at the Balcony at the Trocadero in Philadelphia, PA to a screaming crowd of fans. The band chose to disband after a decade so that members could pursue other musical ventures and careers as the band had failed to obtain any significant label interest or contracts by the summer of 2005.
[edit] Lineup History
Patrick Battaglia - Drums
Matt Moore - Guitar (left in 2002)
John Sheldon - Guitar/Vocals
Jason Conrad - Bass
Hugh Morretta - Keyboards (left in 2002)
Ryan Moll - Guitar (joined in mid-2003)
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