Dreadful Shadows

History

Dreadful Shadows was founded in Berlin in 1993 by Sven Friedrich, Reiko Jeschke, Franc Hofer, Jens Riediger, and Ron Thiele, who recorded their first demo that year. Guitarist Reiko was soon replaced by Stefan Neubauer. The band performed in Germany, England, and Denmark, and after releasing a second demo, they were discovered by the label Sounds of Delight. In December 1993, work began on their debut full-length album Estrangement, released in April 1994. A European tour followed, with Dreadful Shadows appearing alongside Love Like Blood, Nosferatu, and The Eternal Afflict, building their reputation in the Netherlands, England, and Denmark. Sampler contributions, concerts, and a festival appearance at the Zillo festival in December 1994 with Christian Death, Armageddon Dildos, and The Eternal Afflict boosted their popularity in Germany. In February 1995, the band recorded the Homeless EP, released in June 1995; their cover of New Order's True Faith became a club dance hit. They later performed with Cyan Kills E.Coli at the Mise Noire festival in Madrid alongside Mephisto Walz and Girls Under Glass. In December 1995, Dreadful Shadows left Sounds of Delight and signed to Deathwish Office, the label owned by Love Like Blood. Work on the second LP Buried Again began in March 1996. During recording, guitarists Stefan Neubauer and Franc Hofer departed due to internal conflicts, and Sven Friedrich and Tom Tony took over guitar duties. André Feller left in July 1996, and Sebastian Oliver Lange (In Extremo) served as a temporary guitarist before Norman Selbig became the permanent replacement. The new lineup performed at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen, released Buried Again, and toured Germany and Europe, including an appearance at the Sacrosanct festival in London in August 1996 with Rosetta Stone and Vendemmian.