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Shadow of Intent

{{Short description|American deathcore band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Shadow of Intent

| image = Soilogo.jpg

| landscape = yes

| alt =

| caption = Logo of the band in their first two albums

| alias =

| origin = Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| years_active = 2013–present

| label =

| website = {{url|shadowofintent.com}}

| current_members =

  • Ben Duerr
  • Chris Wiseman
  • Andrew Monias
  • Bryce Butler

| past_members =

  • Matt Kohanowski
  • Keith Kohlhepp
  • Federico Zuccarelli
  • Anthony Barone

}}

Shadow of Intent is an American deathcore band from Connecticut. They formed in 2013 as a Halo-themed studio project by Ben Duerr and Chris Wiseman. They are not signed to a label and have released all their albums independently. They have released five studio albums to date, along with two instrumental versions of previous releases, and a deluxe album. Their fifth studio album, Imperium Delirium, was released on June 27, 2025.

History

= Formation (2013) =

Shadow of Intent was formed in 2013 in Connecticut by vocalist Ben Duerr and guitarist Chris Wiseman. They met playing in separate bands at a local concert. The group was initially formed as a studio project. They were inspired by Halo and the name "Shadow of Intent" came from a ship in the game series bearing the same name. Duerr describes himself as a Halo nerd and stated that their music follows the storyline of the Halo novels.

= ''Inferi Sententia'' and ''Primordial'' (2014–2016) =

The group released their EP Inferi Sententia on July 18, 2014, and debut album Primordial on January 10, 2016. The tracks on both albums were produced via homemade recordings. All of the tracks on Inferi Sententia were re-recorded and featured on Primordial. The drum tracks are programmed on both releases. Keyboard and orchestral samples are also present on these releases.

Duerr was responsible solely for writing and performing the lead vocals during the production process while Wiseman was responsible for all of the remaining songwriting.

= New members, ''Reclaimer'', and ''The Instrumentals'' (2016–2017) =

On September 19, 2016, they announced the addition of Matt Kohanowski on drums, marking the end of the group's time as a two-man project. On March 31, 2017, they announced the addition of new members Federico Zuccarelli on guitar and Keith Kohlhepp on bass. This brought the total members of the group to five.

On April 28, 2017, Shadow of Intent released Reclaimer, their first album without programmed drum tracks and the first album to feature a unique player on each instrument.

The band released The Instrumentals on October 20, 2017. The album contained instrumental versions of all of the songs from both of the preceding albums.{{cite web |last1=Kendrick |first1=Monica |title=Deathcore Wizards Shadow of Intent Shred With or Without Vocals |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/deathcore-wizards-shadow-of-intent-shred-with-or-without-vocals/Content?oid=76967698 |website=Reader |date=January 10, 2020 |publisher=Chicago Reader |accessdate=November 9, 2020}}

= ''Melancholy'' and ''Elegy'' (2018–2025) =

On March 30, 2018, they released their first single 'Underneath a Sullen Moon'. This was the first track which was not Halo-themed and their second released track which did not begin with the word 'The'. The band went on their first major tour in the spring of 2018 supporting Carnifex on their Chaos & Carnage tour headliner. Oceano, Winds of Plague, Archspire, Spite, Widowmaker and Buried Above Ground accompanied Shadow of Intent on this tour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/carnifex-oceano-and-winds-of-plague-join-forces-for-chaos-and-carnage-tour/|title = CARNIFEX, OCEANO and WINDS OF PLAGUE Join Forces for 'Chaos and Carnage' Tour|date = January 29, 2018}} In the summer of 2018, the band toured alongside Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Aversions Crown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalblade.com/us/news/the-black-dahlia-murder-and-whitechapel-to-co-headline-usa-tour/|title=The Black Dahlia Murder and Whitechapel to co-headline USA tour with Fleshgod Apocalypse, Aversions Crown, Shadow of Intent | Metal Blade Records}}

On December 14, 2018, the group announced that Anthony Barone (ex-A Night in Texas) would be joining the group as their drummer.

On August 16, 2019, Shadow of Intent released Melancholy which included a remastered version of the aforementioned single as one of the tracks on the album. Francesco Ferrini of Fleshgod Apocalypse contributed to the orchestral work on this album. Melancholy has been described as a concept album depicting mass suicides orchestrated by a demonic goddess.{{cite web |last1=Boozeman |first1=Phil |title=Album Review: Shadow of Intent's Melancholy Achieves Perfection in Death |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2019/08/09/album-review-shadow-of-intents-melancholy-achieves-perfection-in-death/ |website=MetalSucks |date=August 9, 2019 |publisher=MetalSucks |accessdate=November 9, 2020}} This album marked a departure from writing strictly Halo-themed music. An instrumental version of Melancholy was also released on November 22, 2019.

In the winter of 2020, the band performed on their first major headlining tour throughout the United States accompanied by Inferi, Signs of the Swarm, and Brand of Sacrifice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalcastle.net/shadow-of-intent-are-pleased-to-announce-2020-north-american-tour-dates/|title = Shadow of Intent are Pleased to Announce 2020 North American Tour Dates|date = November 23, 2019}}

In 2020, the group announced they were parting ways with Anthony Barone and that Bryce Butler (Contrarian) would be replacing him.{{cite web |last1=Neilstein |first1=Vince |title=Shadow of Intent Release New Video, Announce New Drummer |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/08/12/shadow-of-intent-release-new-video-announce-new-drummer/ |website=MetalSucks |date=August 12, 2020 |publisher=MetalSucks |accessdate=November 9, 2020}}

In October 2021, The band announced their fourth studio album, Elegy, for a January 2022 release,{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/shadow-of-intent-from-ruin-we-rise-song-lyrics-elegy-album/|title = Shadow of Intent Brutalize on New Song, Announce 2022 Album|website = Loudwire}} which was ultimately met with great critical acclaim.{{Cite web|url=https://boolintunes.com/2022/01/14/album-review-shadow-of-intent-elegy/|last=Eaton |first=Harry| magazine=Boolin Tunes|date=14 Jan 2022|access-date=1 July 2022|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Shadow of Intent - Elegy}} A deluxe edition of the album was released digitally on September 9, 2022, featuring a B-side track titled 'Frozen Tomb' and a cover of Lamb of God's 'Laid to Rest'.{{Cite web|url=https://metalanarchy.com/2022/09/09/shadow-of-intent-release-deluxe-edition-of-elegy/|website=Metal Anarchy|date=9 Sep 2022|access-date=21 Sep 2022|title=Shadow Of Intent Release Deluxe Edition Of "Elegy"}}

In the winter of 2022, the band toured the United States alongside Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel, and Revocation.{{cite web |last1=Hartmann |first1=Graham |title=Cannibal Corpse Announce 2022 Tour Dates With Whitechapel, Revocation + Shadow of Intent |url=https://loudwire.com/cannibal-corpse-2022-tour-dates-whitechapel-revocation-shadow-of-intent/ |website=Loudwire |date=October 13, 2021 |publisher=Loudwire |accessdate=March 14, 2022}}

On March 30, 2023, the band released a new single titled 'The Migrant' which showed a return to writing Halo-themed songs.{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Shadow of Intent lancado novo single The Migrant |url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/shadow-of-intent-return-to-their-roots-whilst-breaking-some-rules-with-new-single-the-migrant/?utm_content=cmp-true |website=Sonic Perspectives}} Another new single titled 'Flying The Black Flag' would be released on August 30, 2024.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2024 |title=Shadow of Intent share latest single "Flying The Black Flag" along with official music video |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/43874/shadow-of-intent-share-latest-single-flying-the-black-flag-along-with-official-music-video/ |website=Lambgoat}}

The band has done some touring from September to October 2024 in North America with bands Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ingested, The Zenith Passage, and Disembodied Tyrant.{{cite web | url = https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/fleshgod-apolcaypse-announces-north-american-tour-feat-shadow-of-intent-more | title = FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE Announces North American Tour Feat. SHADOW OF INTENT & More | date = June 25, 2024 | accessdate = November 16, 2024}}{{cite web | url = https://blabbermouth.net/news/fleshgod-apocalypse-announces-summer-fall-2024-north-american-tour-with-shadow-of-intent | title = FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE Announces Summer/Fall 2024 North American Tour With SHADOW OF INTENT | date = June 25, 2024 | accessdate = November 16, 2024}} They also toured with Cattle Decapitation, Revocation and Vulvodynia in Europe in early 2025.{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2024 |title=CATTLE DECAPITATION & SHADOW OF INTENT Announce 2025 European Tour |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/cattle-decapitation-shadow-of-intent-announce-2025-european-tour |website=Metal Injection}}

= ''Imperium Delirium'' (2025–present) =

The band released their fifth studio album titled Imperium Delirium on June 27, 2025.{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2025 |title=Shadow of Intent announce new album 'Imperium Delirium', debut lead single feat. Corpsegrinder |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/47159/shadow-of-intent-announce-new-album-imperium-delirium-debut-lead-single-feat-corpsegrinder/ |website=Lambgoat}}{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Laviea |date=2025-06-27 |title=Shadow of Intent Awakens Their Inner Demons on "Imperium Delirium" |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2025/06/27/shadow-of-intent-awakens-their-inner-demons-on-imperium-delirium/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}

Musical style and influences

Shadow of Intent's musical style has often been referred to deathcore,{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/best-deathcore-albums-last-10-years-lorna-shore-will-ramos|title=10 Best Deathcore Albums In The Last Ten Years|website=Loudwire|date=14 October 2022}}{{cite web |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Melancholy – Shadow Of Intent |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-melancholy-shadow-of-intent/ |website=Distorted Sound |date=August 15, 2019 |publisher=Distorted Sound |accessdate=September 20, 2024}}{{cite web |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Elegy – Shadow Of Intent |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-elegy-shadow-of-intent/ |website=Distorted Sound |date=January 18, 2022 |publisher=Distorted Sound |accessdate=September 20, 2024}} symphonic deathcore,{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/blog/778/connecticut-symphonic-deathcore-band-shadow-of-intent|title=Connecticut Symphonic Deathcore Band Shadow Of Intent|website=Lambgoat|date=3 April 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Boozeman |first1=Phil |title=Video Premiere: Shadow of Intent, "Barren and Breathless Macrocosm" (ft. Trevor Strnad) |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2019/06/14/video-premiere-shadow-of-intent-barren-and-breathless-macrocosm-ft-trevor-strnad/ |website=MetalSucks |date=June 14, 2019 |publisher=MetalSucks |accessdate=November 9, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Turlock |first1=Landon |title=Shadow of Intent - "Elegy" - Everything Is Noise |url=https://everythingisnoise.net/reviews/shadow-of-intent-elegy/ |website=Everything Is Noise |date=January 25, 2022 |publisher=Everything Is Noise |accessdate=September 20, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=Connor |title=Review: Shadow of Intent – Primordial [2016] – New Transcendence |url=https://new-transcendence.com/review-shadow-intent-primordial-2016/ |website=New Transcendence |accessdate=January 3, 2016}}{{cite web |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Fleshgod Apocalypse to Co-Headline North American Tour with Shadow of Intent This Fall |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/06/25/fleshgod-apocalypse-to-co-headline-north-american-tour-with-shadow-of-intent-this-fall/ |accessdate=November 16, 2024 |website=metalsucks}} melodic deathcore, and technical deathcore,{{cite web|url= https://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2016/02/02/shadow-of-intent-primordial/|title= Shadow Of Intent – Primordial|date=10 January 2016}} and has been compared to Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ovid's Withering, and Dimmu Borgir.{{cite web |last1=Boozeman |first1=Phil |title=The New Shadow of Intent Album Will Sexually Excite You |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2017/05/03/the-new-shadow-of-intent-album-will-sexually-excite-you/?fbclid=IwAR2kXaI9Lv0JRIrQbzvupaj1d4CbPvfzQc0rbJI_fd4STgpBqm5LRYXx3Gk |website=MetalSucks |date=May 3, 2017 |accessdate=November 9, 2020}} Their sound is often blended with blackened death metal, melodic death metal,{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=Connor |title=REVIEW: Shadow of Intent – Elegy [2022] – New Transcendence |url=https://new-transcendence.com/review-shadow-intent-elegy-2022/ |publisher=New Transcendence |accessdate=September 20, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Album Review: Shadow Of Intent - 'Melancholy' |url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/shadow-of-intent-melancholy/Hnw6MDMyNTQ/03-09-19 |website=The Music |date=September 3, 2019 |accessdate=October 27, 2024}} symphonic metal, progressive metal,{{cite web |last1=Welsh |first1=Connor |title=REVIEW: SHADOW OF INTENT – MELANCHOLY [2019] |url=http://new-transcendence.com/review-shadow-intent-melancholy-2019/?fbclid=IwAR3P0wWRohniSfHKDz5ONAh4N1GPCdHej9ipUSTtk0IrgbMWf0gsPJdWrRY |website=New Transcendence |date=August 7, 2019 |accessdate=November 9, 2020}} technical death metal, progressive death metal, and symphonic death metal.

Band members

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Current

  • Ben Duerr – lead vocals (2013–present, also in Hollow Prophet)
  • Chris Wiseman – guitars, backing vocals, programming, clean vocals (2013–present, also in Currents)
  • Andrew Monias – bass, backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Bryce Butler – drums (2020–present)

{{col-2}}

Former

  • Matt Kohanowski – drums (2016–2018)
  • Keith Kohlhepp – bass (2017–2018)
  • Federico Zuccarelli – guitars (2017)
  • Anthony Barone – drums (2018–2020)

{{col-end}}

= Timeline =

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:100 bottom:100 top:0 right:25

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy

Period = from:12/07/2013 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2014

Colors =

id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals

id:Backing value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitars

id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:Programming value:purple legend:Programming

id:Studio value:black legend:Studio_album

id:EP value:gray(0.6) legend:EP

LineData=

layer:back

color:Studio

at:10/01/2016

at:28/04/2017

at:16/08/2019

at:14/01/2022

at:27/06/2025

color:EP

at:18/07/2014

BarData =

bar:Duerr text:Ben Duerr

bar:Wiseman text:Chris Wiseman

bar:Zuccarelli text:Federico Zuccarelli

bar:Kohlhepp text:Keith Kohlhepp

bar:Monias text:Andrew Monias

bar:Kohanowski text:Matt Kohanowski

bar:Barone text:Anthony Barone

bar:Butler text:Bryce Butler

PlotData=

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Duerr from:12/07/2013 till:end color:Vocals

bar:Wiseman from:12/07/2013 till:end color:Guitar

bar:Wiseman from:12/07/2013 till:10/01/2016 color:Programming width:7

bar:Wiseman from:12/07/2013 till:end color:Backing width:3

bar:Zuccarelli from:31/03/2017 till:16/09/2017 color:Guitar

bar:Kohlhepp from:31/03/2017 till:14/12/2018 color:Bass

bar:Monias from:14/12/2018 till:end color:Bass

bar:Monias from:14/12/2018 till:end color:Backing width:3

bar:Kohanowski from:19/09/2016 till:14/12/2018 color:Drums

bar:Barone from:14/12/2018 till:11/08/2020 color:Drums

bar:Butler from:11/08/2020 till:end color:Drums

}}

Discography

Studio albums

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions

!rowspan="2"|Year

!rowspan="2"|Album details

!colspan="5"|Peak chart positions

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Sales
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2019-08-31|title=Top Album Sales The Week of August 31, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=November 9, 2020}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Ind.
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2019-08-31|title=Independent Albums The Week of August 31, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=November 9, 2020}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Hard
Rock

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Heat.
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2019-08-31|title=Heatseeker Albums The Week of August 31, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=November 9, 2020}}

2016

|align="left"|Primordial

  • Released: January 10, 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, LP, digital

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2017

|align="left"|Reclaimer

  • Released: April 28, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, LP, digital

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

| style="text-align:center;"| —

2019

|align="left"|Melancholy

  • Released: August 16, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, LP, digital

| style="text-align:center;"| 73

| style="text-align:center;"| 17

| style="text-align:center;"| 7

| style="text-align:center;"| 2

2022

|align="left"|Elegy

  • Released: January 14, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, LP, digital

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|—

2025

|align="left"|Imperium Delirium

  • Released: June 27, 2025
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, LP, digital

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|—

| style="text-align:center;"|—

colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Instrumental album versions

  • The Instrumentals (instrumental versions of Primordial and Reclaimer) (2017)
  • Melancholy (Instrumentals) (2019)

EPs

  • Inferi Sententia (July 18, 2014)

Singles

  • "Underneath a Sullen Moon" (March 30, 2018)
  • "Intensified Genocide" (July 30, 2021)
  • "The Migrant" (March 30, 2023)
  • "Flying The Black Flag" (August 30, 2024)

References

{{Reflist}}

  • {{cite web |last1=Duerr |first1=Ben |title=Q&A |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBCzqSNlEIo |website=YouTube |accessdate=November 9, 2020}}

Category:American deathcore musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2013

Category:2013 establishments in Connecticut

Category:Musical groups from Connecticut