NOTE: this interview was done in 2018
After successful album “The Hourglass Effect” British band Shadowkeep went on a very long hiatus. It took 10 years to return with the new album which is called plain and simple — “Shadowkeep”. The core duo — Nikki Robson and Chris Allen — managed not only to keep the rhythm section (Stony Grantham — bass, Omar Hayer — drums) but reinforce the band with the world premiere singer James Rivera. “Metal Majesty” is checking on how the things are going in the Shadowkeep’s camp and Nikki Robson is answering.
Congrats with the new album which sounds awesome! Why did it take 10 years to record “ShadowKeep”? Was it an intended break from music or did it just happen?
Well at times a lot of things can happen in your own life during the early albums myself and Chris were left in debt as we both pretty much financed the band! Also for instance in the space of 3 years we lost 3 Grandparents between myself and Chris. Also in 2007 i had a personal loss so it was very difficult. We have never stopped playing music as we both love it so so much! Again line up problems but one thing with myself and Chris we have always believed in SK and have never given up!
The metal scene and the music market have changed since 2008. Was it easy to find a deal for the band?
Yes the scene has changed! It was not necessarily hard finding a label but the right one and Pure Steel Records are perfect for ShadowKeep!
Did you record everything to shop the album to labels or did you get the deal with Pure Steel Records first?
We had pretty much recorded everything apart from 2 songs just the vocals though.
By the way, how did you manage to get this deal?
I just contacted different labels and i already knew Andreas from Pure Steel and they were really happy as were we to be part of Pure Steel.
When did you start writing the songs for “Shadowkeep”? Which songs were the first?
We started writing in 2014. “Minotaur” was one of the first songs which Chris wrote.
Did you have in mind any certain singer when you were writing the songs?
No not necessarily all we knew is that whoever it was they had to be brilliant! We are all so happy to have James Rivera in SK his vocal style fits perfectly.
Tell me about your collaboration with Chris Allen. You’ve been working with him for nearly two decades. What are the cons and pros of working with a constant co-writer?
I think what each of us brings as a guitarist seems to work we both have more or less the same influences the way i look at it don’t fix what is not broke! Also we both have the same drive and determination. Chris by the way is way underrated as a guitarist, he is phenomenal!
Sorry if I’m touching something personal but are you a couple with Chris or are you just longtime friends and band mates?
Yes myself and Chris are a couple but also great friends! Have been so for nearly 30 years! We have our house and our dawg of Metal Ozzy! Some people may find that strange being in the same band but why not. We both play the music and style we both love so can’t get much better than that!
In 2016 you announced via Facebook that the band was looking for a singer. Why did Rogue M. left the band for the second time?
Yes we did as all the music had been recorded and we had parted ways with Richie Wicks after “The Hourglass Effect”. Rogue came back for some reunion shows and to record the new album unfortunately he had some problems in his personal life and it did not work out.
How come that James Rivera became your singer?
We had known James for many years and myself and Chris were already huge Helstar fans for almost 30 years! Our bass player Stony was doing a gig in Austin with his tribute band and James happened to be there who he already knew and the rest is history!
Did you consider other candidates?
Yes but for us having James in SK is unreal as his vocal performance on this album is stunning!
James recorded the majority of the songs in the States. Did you sent him complete songs or did you send him only basic tracks and let him sing whatever he wanted to?
James recorded all the vocals at Larry Barragan’s studio Bar 1 while the track “Never Forgotten” was recorded in the UK in February 2017 at Thin Ice Studios with Karl Groom. We sent him all completed songs as we had already recorded all the music in December, 2015 — 2016. We did however know that we wanted a lot of the subject matter to be about Greek Mythology.
Were there certain songs or moments when you had to ask James to sing in a different manner?
No, not really.
James recorded two songs in the UK. How did that happen and what were your impressions from working with him face to face?
James only recorded 1 song in the UK in February 2017 whilst he had been on tour with Helstar promoting their new album “Vampiro” when finished he flew to the UK. He recorded “Never Forgotten” which i wrote for my Grandfather who died in 2013. So this was a real special track to me but unreal that James would record in the UK! Myself and James co-wrote the lyrics to “Never Forgotten”. I originally wrote down how i felt when my Grandfather died the day after his death hence i am so so proud of this track as William and Phylis Hart will be never forgotten and are reunited again.
The album was once again recorded with the help of Karl Groom from Threshold. Does he understand you better than any other producer?
Karl Groom has been a long time friend but is a brilliant producer! He did not mix our album this time as i did not work out as he gad tour commitments with Threshold. So Andreas from Pure Steel recommended Rob Romagna who mixes a lot of the Pure Steel artists he did a brilliant job.
As far as I understand the album is a kinda concept effort and tells stories about the Ancient Greece. So of the song titles speak for themselves (“Minotaur”, “Horse Of War”, “The Sword Of Damocles”), but what about such songs like “Little Lion”, “Isolation” or “Flight Across The Sand”? What are they about?
“Little Lion” is from Buddhism and is about the Shih Tzu who protected Buddha from thieves by turning into a lion and chasing them away. “Isolation” is about Medusa. “Flight Across the San”d is about the Exodus story in the bible.
The cover suits the album nicely. Can you tell me about your idea behind it?
This is probably the best cover we had. The artist is Timo Wuerz. We came up with suggestions for the cover the end result it stunning!
Is it Ariadna in the left corner and who are the other persons on there?
No it is Medusa. The characters are Poseidon, Ambrogio, The three sisters of fate, Minotaur.
As far as I understand the band already played some shows in March. How did they go? Do you have any scheduled shows for this year?
Have you already started writing new stuff for the next album?
Yes we have a lot of ideas already for the next album!
A few questions about the past, if you don’t mind. How did you get into heavy music and playing guitar?
I always loved guitar and music of course! Believe it or not i did not start playing until i was 20 years old! I went round my friends heard Phantom Blue album and was blown way and thought of my God just superb i won’t to play like that!
Who were your influences?
Ah so so many so here we go: Crimson Glory, Phantom Blue, Helstar, Fates Warning, Sanctuary, Priest, Dio, Zep, Rainbow, Death, Testament,Exodus, Evergrey, Nasty Savage, Artillery, Flotsam and Jetsam, Liege Lord, Omen, Heathen, Hex, Heretic, Vicious Rumors, Sabbath ,Maiden, King Diamond, the list goes on!
Did your parents support you?
Yes my parents have always been behind me and encouraged me, in fact they bought my first guitar and amp for me!
Did you play in any other bands before Shadowkeep?
I played in a covers band with Chris doing Priest, Lizzy, Sabbath covers.
How did you meet Chris Allen?
I met Chris i believe in January 1988 in a pub. I had only just started playing guitar oh my God the first time i saw him play was unbelievable how good he was, totally insane!
Do you have other musical projects?
No!
And what is your day job?
I work part time as a P/A for a guy who has cerable palsy. I help him in the office and drive him to meetings. It is his first job he has ever had he is 32! Of course listening to Metal!
Please say a few words (of wisdom) to your fans.
I would like to thank fans for their support! Just never give up as you can achieve anything!
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