On March 16th, the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, was set ablaze as Shadows Fall lit up the stage, celebrating two decades of metal mastery with their iconic album, The War Within. And as if the night couldn’t get any wilder, local legend Corey Pierce of God Forbid hopped on the drums for the explosive track “Fleshhold,” adding an extra shot of adrenaline to an already electrifying evening.

Launching into action like a sonic tornado, Shadows Fall kicked things off with the fiery intensity of “Thoughts Without Words” and “Destroyer of Senses” from “The War Within.” Frontman Brian Fair, sporting his signature body-length dreadlocks, dove headfirst into the crowd, igniting a frenzy of energy that surged through the venue from start to finish.

Throughout the night, Shadows Fall took fans on a whirlwind journey through their storied career, showcasing their versatility and undeniable staying power in the metal scene. Matt Bachand’s vocals soared alongside his shredding guitar riffs, while Paul Romanko and Jason Bittner laid down a rock-solid groove that had the crowd in a headbanging frenzy. And let’s not forget Jonathan Donais, whose blistering guitar solos left jaws dropping and ears ringing in the best possible way.

From the gut-punching fury of “Fire From the Sky” to the anthemic power of “Redemption,” Shadows Fall delivered a setlist that was pure metal magic that sent shockwaves through the crowd.

But before Shadows Fall took the stage, north Jersey favorites Fit for an Autopsy set the tone with a seismic performance that rattled the rafters. With tracks like “Oh What the Future Holds,” they unleashed a sonic assault that had the crowd in a frenzy, proving once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene.

Fit For An Autopsy

Opening support from Alluvial and Nora added fuel to the fire, setting the stage for an epic night of headbanging and moshing madness.

In the end, Shadows Fall’s 20th-anniversary bash at the Starland Ballroom was a raucous celebration of all things metal, filled with unforgettable moments and enough energy to power a small city. The lineup was stacked with local talent and was a night that will go down in metal history. Here’s to another 20 years of shredding and headbanging with Shadows Fall!

Shadows Fall