Special Report by Deb Rao

SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair checked in with BraveWords.com from Las Vegas to discuss a number of topics including the kick-off of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival, the band's latest release Retribution, the recent South America tour, his side project TRANSIENT and the passing of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner.

BraveWords.com: The Mayhem Festival is well underway, how is it going so far?

Fair: "It has been great. We are only a couple of shows in. But so far so good. The crowds have been amazing. We haven't run into any speed bumps yet. So everything has been going smooth. It has been killer man."

BraveWords.com: What bands are you looking forward to seeing at Mayhem? I know on your release you performed with LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe on the song 'King Of Nothing'.

Fair: "We will be seeing them every night. I always love seeing Lamb Of God. We have toured with every single band that is on this tour. So there is no first time shows. But it is cool. It is a bill with people that we actually know well. So that takes all the kind of getting used to it away. So it is cool to roll in with a bunch of your friends."

BraveWords.com: "Shadows Fall is performing on the Jägermeister Stage. What does your set list consist of and what time does the band go onstage?

Brian: We are mixing up between old and new. We are definitely leaning towards the new. The festivals are kind of tough to play all of the songs you want to because of the limited time. We are trying to give a little bit of perspective on all of the records. We are definitely leaning more on Retribution. We go on about 3:10 PM everyday."

BraveWords.com: Last time I saw Shadows Fall perform was on the Ozzfest Tour. How do you think the band has evolved since then?

Fair: "We are trying to keep pushing our sound knowing what we do well. Which is mixing a variety of styles of metal. To bring in more of the song-writing every time. Trying to get things a little more streamlined. We want to make the most of what we have always done and keep pushing a little bit further."

BraveWords.com: One of the greatest aspects of Shadows Fall is that you have a melodic side combined with thrash but your vocals are so diverse. How did you approach the vocal parts for the new album Retribution?

Fair: "We wanted to bring in everything that we have always done but also for me personally to keep it exciting and try new things. We always have the melody but we don't lose the aggression either. So it is about balancing those two. When the time is right to let it rip and scream you got to let it happen. But if it is just a big wide open riff, you just want to bring some melody to it."

BraveWords.com: How do you feel about the music industry today? I know the new album is on your own label Everblack correct?

Fair: "We signed a distribution deal with Warner Brothers and just kind of did our own thing. It is the way the industry is heading with labels shrinking and record sales kind of dwindling. It was about trying to find a new business that really supported the band as opposed to getting the normal record deal that is like a loan that you slowly pay back. It is about being proactive and giving a little bit of control back to the band but without losing any of the power of a major label to get you in stores and all that."

BraveWords.com: Shadows Fall hails from the Springfield, Mass area. Growing up were you influenced by Boston bands such as AEROSMITH and all of the underground bands that emerged out of the Boston music scene?

Fair: "Definitely. The rest of the guys are from Western Mass. Actually, I grew up in Framingham and Milford area so I was more of a Central Mass boy. I went to school in Boston. The music scene was always a big part of us growing up. Especially old Aerosmith like the '70's stuff. But also all the smaller hardcore bands as well that we were seeing all the time. The Boston music scene has always been really eclectic and all over the place. It is really kind of a great way to grow up as a young musician because you hear so many different styles."

BraveWords.com: How do you feel about the Boston music scene today? Is it flourishing?

Fair: "There are so many great bands that have kind of gone on a National level like KILLSWITCH ENGAGE or ALL THAT REMAINS or ourselves. It is kind of cool to see bands that started so small with a bunch of good friends gone worldwide. We get to share that sound with everyone else. It seems like it keeps on going. There is always new bands popping up from area so it is great."

BraveWords.com: Shadows Fall recently returned from playing South America. What were some of the highlights of the tour?

Fair: "That was our first time down there. We did Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Columbia. It was amazing. I can't wait to go back. The crowds were great. The shows were great. Anytime you get to a new place for the first time it is always exciting."

BraveWords.com: Do you have an update on your Transient project?

Fair: "Me and a group of friends, we have been jamming for over ten years now. It is just for fun. We do a bunch of tunes and chill out. It is not metal at all. It is kind of a nice break once I get home to switch modes and not have to scream at anyone and play some guitar and chill out. It is more for us kind of having some fun and getting some new ideas."

BraveWords.com: What about OVERCAST? Are you going to be doing any shows with them?

Fair: "Hopefully in the future. It is so hard to get everyone in the same place and same time and on the same page. The guys in Killswitch Engage and the other ones all have family. But we never close the door completely on Overcast. It is always wait and see if we have time."

BraveWords.com: Being from the Boston area, you must be a big sports fan. What is your reaction to the passing of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner?

Fair: "It is pretty crazy. He has been kind of out of the shadows for a little while. But it is always sad. I definitely hate the Yankees through and through. I was born and raised to hate The Yankees. But at least Steinbrenner kept things exciting down there."

BraveWords.com: Is the band heading into the studio soon to record new material?

Fair: "We will probably finish up touring sometime this fall and take a little break. Maybe start writing late this year early next year."

BraveWords.com: Shadows Fall is gearing up for your homecoming to CT on July 24th and at the Comcast Center in Mansfield on July 27th. Are you looking forward to performing to the hometown crowds?

Fair: "Totally, I love it. For me I grew up about 15 or twenty minutes from Great Woods, which it was called then. They change the name too much to keep up. It will always be Great Woods to me. (Laughter) So it is always fun. You got the family around and our friends. We are going to bring the hometown energy. The tour has been killer! We can't wait to see everyone on the East Coast. We will definitely be bringing the fury."

BraveWords.com: Lastly, what are your thoughts on the passing of legend Ronnie James Dio? Growing up were you influenced by him as a singer?

Brian: "Totally, that was a sad day. I loved pretty much everything that DIO did from the RAINBOW days to the SABBATH days as well as the solo stuff. That was definitely a bummer. It was a tough day for metal. We lost a lot of good people this year."