Metal Anarchy

Shadows Fall were recently honored with their own day in Springfield, MA. The city’s mayor Mayor Domenic J. Sarno declared July 18 as “Shadows Fall Day” before the band’s set at the MassMutual Center.

The proclamation said the following:

“Whereas,

Shadows Fall was formed in 1996 by guitarists Jonathan Donais and Matthew Bachand in the City of Springfield. Shadows Fall took a hiatus in 2015 that lasted for nearly half a decade, their first show back being on December 18, 2021 at the Worcester Palladium; and

Whereas,

The band together have released seven studio albums; ‘Somber Eyes to the Sky‘, ‘Of One Blood‘, ‘The Art Of Balance‘, ‘The War Within‘, ‘Threads Of Life‘, ‘Retribution‘ and ‘Fire From The Sky‘. Shadows Fall have also released two video albums, ‘The Art of Touring‘ and ‘Madness In Manila: Shadows Fall Live In The Philippines 2009‘, multiple singles, and music videos. Most recently, the band released ‘In The Grey‘ in 2024, and ‘Souls Devoured‘ in 2025, after their hiatus. Shadows Fall have been nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance in 2006 and 2008. They also were nominated in 2007 for three Boston Music Awards; Outstanding Metal/Hardcore Band Of The Year, Act Of The Year and Album Of The Year. Additionally, in 2003, Shadows Fall won Best Underground Act at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards; and

Whereas,

The City of Springfield is excited to welcome Shadows Fall back for a ‘Hometown Show’ at the MassMutual Center, as special guests for Lamb Of God.

Therefore, I, Domenic J, Sarno, Mayor of the City of Springfield to hereby recognize Friday, July 18th, 2025 as “Shadows Fall Day” in the city of Springfield, and I strongly encourage all of our citizens to take notice of this event and participate suitably in its observance.”

Frontman Brian Fair also commented during the aforementioned concert:

“You may not know, but by official proclamation of the mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, today is officially ‘Shadows Fall Day’ in Springfield. And I am not fucking kidding. Now, it says, they want all the citizens — they strongly encourage you — to take notice [of] this event and participate suitably in this event. To me, that means the biggest circle pit in the history of fucking Springfield. It’s real simple, counter-clockwise, everyone moving. They don’t move, pick ’em up and take ’em fucking with you, I don’t give a shit, but no standing still. There aren’t seats, it’s a fucking metal show, and it is Shadows fuckin’ Fall Day.”

[via The PRP]