An Overcast of Shadows Falling with Brian Fair

Brian James Fair is one of the most influential icons to ever rise from the Massachusetts Heavy Music scene. He is also considered the pioneer of the Metalcore singing style. What started as a dream after seeing Cinderella open for Bon Jovi on the "Slippery When Wet" tour became a reality from the moment he formed Overcast in 1991. Growing up, Brian always had an ear for various musical styles, but Heavy Metal and Hard Core were the genres that got his adrenaline pumping.


Once Overcast released "Expectational Dilution" in 1994, Brian's craft started getting recognized by the fans of the East Coast Heavy Music underground scene. To this day "Expectational Dilution" is considered the album that sparked the Metalcore flame. After four years of getting their name out, in November of 1998 Overcast split after a national tour with Shai Hulud and Disembodied.

At Overcast's last show, Shadows Fall recruited Brian to replace Phil Labonte (now in All That Remains) as the bands front-man. In 2000, Shadows Fall released their epic album "Of One Blood" via Century Media Records, which was the bands first record with Brian Fair on vocals. From that moment on Shadow's Fall became one of the best Heavy Music bands in the United States.

After releasing 17 records, touring the entire world, and never changing to fit in with the times. Brian Fair is a legend within the Heavy Music world. Some say that Shadow's Fall is passed their prime time, but we couldn't disagree more with this statement. With the release of "Retribution" in 2009, Shadows Fall prove that they are still on top of their game. Did you know that Jimmy Fallon is a big fan? This is why they ended up performing on the "Jimmy Fallon Show" on September of 2009.

What's next for Shadow's Fall, watch our exclusive interview with Brian Fair and find out! \m/



Facts about Brian Fair:
- Brian is a Vegetarian.
- His dreadlocks are almost 20 years old.
- Brian is also a guitarist, a bassist and a drummer.
- He is an avid Boston Celtics fan, and often wears the team jersey while on stage.
- In 7th grade he visited a recording studio after winning a radio jingle contest (sponsored by Mass Electric) with a Beastie Boys-inspired tune called "The Energy Conservation Rap Song."

Brian Fair's discography:
- Overcast - Bleed Into One (7") (1992)
- Overcast - Expectational Dilution (1994)
- Overcast - Stirring the Killer (7") (1995)
- Overcast - Overcast/Arise Split CD (7") (1996)
- Overcast - Begging for Indifference (7" EP/CD) (1996)
- Overcast - Fight Ambition to Kill"(1997)
- Shadows Fall - Of One Blood (2000)
- Shadows Fall - Deadworld (EP) (2001)
- Shadows Fall - Fear Will Drag You Down (Compilation Album) (2002)
- Shadows Fall - The Art of Balance (2002)
- Shadows Fall - The War Within (2004)
- Transient - N/A (Demo) (2004)
- Shadows Fall - Fallout from the War (Compilation Album) (2006)
- Shadows Fall - Threads of Life (2007)
- Shadows Fall - Seeking the Way: The Greatest Hits (2007)
- Overcast - Reborn to Kill Again (2008)
- Shadows Fall - Retribution (2009)

Related links:
Official Site of Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall on MySpace

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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Holiday Special: Tribute to Peter Steele & the FANS

After carefully watching what different media outlets released this holiday season, we decided that instead of creating an end of the year summary using old content, we would instead create a 30-minute program that showcases the impact of Heavy Music in 2010. In order to make this a successful program, we would have to find the ideal platform. That platform? New York City’s Times Square, also known as the “center of the world”!

You may be thinking that we went into a Broadway show and bumped elbows with tourists. But the reality is that what we experienced was magical.


We arrived at the Best Buy Theater (formerly the Nokia Theater), which is the best sounding venue in New York City. The place is pimped out! As soon as we got there we ran into a lot of familiar faces, one face that stood out was Tommy Vext (formerly from Divine Heresy and Snot). From that moment on, we knew this night would be like no other! The video special will make this very evident, so make sure you check it out. We have live footage, exclusive interviews and more!

Seventh Void, which features members of Type O Negative opened the night with a tight set, and made all the concert attendees remember the great Peter Steele (RIP)! A few minutes later, it was time for Long Island’s Kings of Hardcore Vision Of Disorder. VOD never just shows up to a show, they make sure they get the crowd pumped and could have easily headlined the show. We had the chance to talk to their singer Tim Williams (included on the video special), and 2011 is shaping up to be an awesome year for this phenomenal band.

As soon as VOD finished their set, we caught up with Revolver Magazine’s Editor In Chief Brandon Geist and discussed the impact of Heavy Music in 2010 (also included on the video special). Revolver Magazine’s latest issue is a tribute to all the “fallen heroes” of Heavy Music. Make sure you pick it up!








Next up was Biohazard, who always makes sure to get the crowd moving and that they leave with a smile on their face. We had the chance to talk to their guitarist Bobby Hambel (also included on the video special), and he is a true legend!

In our opinion, Biohazard should have been the main headliner, simply because they are a lot more energetic then Life Of Agony. As a result, the crowd was somewhat tired once Life Of Agony took center stage. Nevertheless, Life Of Agony sounded amazing!


WIthout further due, here is our 2010 Holiday Special (includes bonus footage starring Brian Fair from Shadows Falls)! We want to dedicate this piece to Peter Steele, Ronnie James Dio and Paul Gray! And of course, all the fans of Horns Up Rocks!!!





Special thanks to our photographers Evil Steve, Damien Mitchell and Simi Friedman. Our videographers Lucky, Evil Steve, Lisa Marie Gort DeStefano and Alissa Shimansky. And last but not least, Jose Mangin, Brandon Geist, Tim WIlliams, Bobby Hambel, and Brian Fair!

Related links:
Life Of Agony
Biohazard
Vision Of Disorder
Seventh Void
Shadows Fall
Liquid Metal
Revolver Magazine
MTV 2 Headbangers Ball

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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