PORTUGAL METAL: SHADOWSPHERE

- The Early Daze -

It all begun with Luis Goulão. As a youngster, he used to dream with having a metal band and playing all around the world. Bands like IRON MAIDEN and W.A.S.P. turn on his passion for playing guitar. And so it begun in 1991. After some bands, and a 2 year period aside from the metal world, Luis decided to come back and finally formed the project of his life SHADOWSPHERE. Along with some friends the project gained wings to fly. Hugo (guitar), Fernando (bass) and Nuno (drums) were the first line-up to meet up with Luis (guitar & vocals) back in October 2000. Mainly influenced by Thrash Metal from the 80s, Swedish Death Metal and some traditional Metal, SHADOWSPHERE arrived!!!!

- What Dreams May Come -

Andre Silva replaced Nuno in early 2000. This was the formation that recorded the track Lusitania included in the tribute to Tarantula 20 years career released in 2001 by Recital. During the year of 2001, the band performs some concerts and prepares the edition of a promo-CD to be released by the end of that year. In the meantime, in September, Fernando is replaced by Pedro Vieira, and immediately the band records a set of 4 tracks to be released under the name of Death and Dreaming, in October. These tracks were recorded in the Floyd Studios under the guidance and production of Nuno Loureiro (Painstruck), who had already produced the Tarantula track in the same studio. In spite of the very positive reviews, the band decides to delay the edition of Death and Dreaming.

By June 2002, Paulo Goncalves replaces Luis only in the lead vocals. Although this was regarded as a breath of fresh air to the sound of the band, Paulos entry did not set aside the stigma of change and Pedro is replaced in September by Rui Neves. With the formation properly reviewed, the band then decides to record another song and edit the opening EP Death and Dreaming. Once again they record in the Floyd Studios with Nuno Loureiro and the release takes place on October 26th in FNAC Chiado, Lisbon, in front of over 100 people (an almost unheard-of feat in Forum Chiado...).

One year later, the band suffers another line-up change and the band had to quickly recruit another guitarist, Filipe Sousa, to replace Hugo Fernandes. Still the band decides to enter the Floyd Estudios as a quartet, in September 2003, in order to record their first album, entitled DarkLands. The production was once again in charge of Nuno Loureiro and the release was in January 2004.

Due to DarkLands, the band started a series of gigs of promotion, which lead them to about 40 gigs in 2004/2005 supporting Moonspell, Desire, Temple, Icon The Black Roses, ThanatoSchizo, Decapitated, Primordial, Nightrage, etc Reviews from all over the world compared SHADOWSPHERE to the talents of SOILWORK, AT THE GATES and IN FLAMES.

And then came the time for another release. Joining Nuno Loureiro in October 2005, the guys recorded the forthcoming work and had it mixed and mastered in Sweden by Dan Swano, who did a great work, helping the creation of SHADOWSPHERE..s own sound. And so, after a few delays, Hellbound Heart saw the light of day in May 23rd 2006. A short time after, Filipe leaves the band. The Shadows started the Hellbound Tour 2006 opening for DISMEMBER, playing all around Portugal, and ending the tour opening for MALEVOLENT CREATION and ROTTING CHRIST. A short time after, Andre leaves the band.

By now, SHADOWSPHERE are rehearsing with the new drummer to be, and preaparing to start composing the new album due to release somewhere around 2009.

BAND MEMBERS:

Luis Goulão - Guitar

Nuno Loureiro - Guitar

Paulo Gonçalves - Lead Vocals

Rui Neves - Bass

DISCOGRAPHY: