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SHADOWCASTER
was borne in 1993... although the concept dates back to around 1988. Inspired
by songs like "Danse Macabre" by CELTIC FROST,
and by various "intros" on '80's LP's by BATHORY,
KREATOR, DEATHROW,
and the amazing 1986 demo of the Canadian band MALHAVOC,
the original concept was to do an LP's worth of "intros". After a few
years of experimenting on a piece-of-shit keyboard, and divulging into
the 1970's electronic sounds of TANGERINE DREAM
and KLAUS SCHULTZE, a first
attempt was made in early 1993. But this recording was never released
due to its poor quality.
.
By early
1994 a new keyboard and synthesizer were obtained, and in April 1994 the
debut promo was released, under the title "My Love Affair With Death
And Melancholy". This 20 minute recording was available only by sending
a blank tape and $1.00. These were the first experimentations on my new
instruments, in an effort to transform my emotions into music. This was
also before the wave of atmospheric keyboard projects that have popped
up all over the place. The second promo was released in November 1994...
The 90 minute epic "To Gather My Thoughts Among the Sleeping Summer
Spirits". It also was never commercially for sale, but instead available
by simply sending a blank tape and $1.00. This promo received a lot of
attention in the underground, with lots of interviews given and at least
400-500 copies have been dubbed to people who wrote from all over the
world.
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In September
1995, Unisound Records (in Greece) showed interest in SHADOWCASTER,
and a contract was signed to release a debut CD.
New songs had been recorded at the end of the summer of 1995, so it is
these songs plus a few selected songs from the first two promos... in
all over 70 minutes of music... that comprise the debut CD entitled "Abandonment".
Then the problems began! Unisound went and had some artist do a painting
for the album cover, instead of using the photograph that I submitted.
The painting is quite typical, whereas my photograph of a gloomy abandoned
farmhouse fit the concept of the album perfectly. Then Unisound changed
my logo. They wanted something "simpler". Needless to say, the logo I
designed is far superior to the mediocre logo on the CD
cover. Then, the CD was scheduled
for a January 1996 release date, but it did not actually come out until
July 1996! Months and months of excuses, and trying to talk to some Greek
idiot who cannot understand English! I was hung up on twice! Upon receiving
only one copy of my CD in July,
I immediately noticed that the layout sucked. No credit is given to any
recording processes, no credit given to Ron Pappert who photographed me,
and my contact address is nowhere to be found! There isn't shit! Just
an unlabelled picture, and all the lyrics (which have some typos and are
out of order). By the way, all of this deleted information was submitted,
at Unisound's request.
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In October
1996 I finally got my CD's from
Unisound, but it was no easy task! Unisound sent my stuff to New York
City, which is at least 9 hours away! I had to spend about a week making
calls to the cargo company in England, and to Panos in Greece. Panos is
an asshole! Unisound did nothing to help me out! All in all, it cost me
hundreds of dollars to get my fucking CD's!!!
I am seeking a label for future CD
releases! I have begun to record the second CD
in January 1997, which will be a concept CD
about an LSD influenced shaman
ritual-meditation.
In January 1999, Wild Rags Records released two SHADOWCASTER
albums, "Temptation" and "Psychelectronic Experience".
"Temptation" is a re-issue of the "Abandonment" CD,
sort of. The tracklisting is completely different and only 2 songs remain
intact in their original version. Some new versions of some songs are
on it as well as a some previously unreleased material and new formats.
It's really a different album, far superior to the original debut CD.
The layout looks MUCH better. Unfortunately the
original artwork is lost because Panos has the originals, but the new
artwork is so superior.
The new SHADOWCASTER album, "Psychelectronic
Experience", is much more surreal and ambient than previous releases.
It's a concept album inspired by the writings of Terrance McKenna and
Timothy Leary, and it centers on themes used in the Tibetan Book Of The
Dead. It's a hallucinogenic transcendental experience, hypnotic and meditative.
It's mostly narrated, has alot of completely tripped out effects, and
is meant to alter one's mind either with or without the help of ingested
chemicals or plants.
