NIKKI ROBSON-Guitars 

Q: You were born in New Jersey but moves on many years after - from where the decision heading to another location?

A: I was only born in New Jersey but I lived my whole life in England since I was about nine months old, my mother is English so I guess that makes me more English than American and my passport says 'British Citizen' also.

Q: Start playing music at the young age of 15 year, where the ambition came from and who were your personal idols back then? Axemen that inspired you all over.

A: Well I suppose it would be Richie Blackmore but also Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Venom, Slayer, Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen to a certain extent but more so guitar players like Bill Tsamis (Warlord) Exciter, Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, Tony Macalpine, Mark Mcgee (Vicious Rumors) and of course many more. 

Q: First band ever played in was? I assume followed by a few other bands that you were active in... names please?

A: Well I was in quite a few bands before SK, most of which never saw the light of day. The first band I was in was called Pariah but NWOBHM band Satan changed their name to Pariah and that was that, plus we could never find a singer, which was an on going problem for almost every band  I was in after that.

A thrash band called Kindred Jason Mendonca and Dave Grey from Satanic Metal band Ackercoke, a demo from this period survives somewhere but I dont have it. Another band was Tempter which had all the ingredients but fell apart due to musical differences. Soon after I joined UK Metallers Intense but I quit after a year or less to persue my own musical goals, there is a demo from that period also but it's on tape only unless Sean from Intense has copied it to disc.

Then came Siah with none other than Richie Wicks on vocals and eventually Nikki on guitar but fell apart after a year due to musical differences. During this period I also moonlighted in another British band Nightfall but they wanted more commitment which I couldn't give at the time.

I helped out Intense on a small UK tour late in '96 which was a breath of fresh air after the string of failed projects. I then formed a cover band with Nikki and former Intense bassist Eddie Marsh, Martin Wheeler Boyd on vocals and a . We were together for about 18 months or so during which time drummer by the name of Gary Burfoot.

We played pubs doing many classics Sabbath, UFO, Purple, Priest etc, etc. During this time drummer Gary Burfoot was replaced by Russel King whom later joined ShadowKeep for a while and recorded the drums on the six track CD which featured Dark Tower.


 

Q: In the late 90's, ShadowKeep was formed - what were the ambitions or goals to achieve?

A: As I said our expectations were fairly small, we just wanted to record something we could be proud of but naturally we hoped it would go beyond that. 

Q: Tell us a bit more about the other musicians joined forces with both you and Nikki.

A: See above. But with this line up singer Richie Wicks we have known for a long time even before his days as bass player for Angel Witch so we were well aware of his capabilitiess as a vocalist. Bass player Stony Grantham has been in the band for a few years now and veteran of many shows and recordings and came highly recommended and in spite of the vast distance between us geographically he has never let us down yet.

New drummer Omar Hayes myself and Nikki have know for over 20 years and is also an experienced veteran of the music industry. Then we have new addition Scot Collins on keyboards young and enthusiastic, bringing some much needed colour and atmosphere to the live shows. 

OMAR HAYES-Drums 

Q: First some demo work came out I suppose - later on a self financed EP came across the Metal horizons. Pretty expensive releasing a product by your own...  how went that at the camp of ShadowKeep?

A: As you say expensive but fortunately it didn't take too long to get signed however we still get back the money we had invested the record deal just enabled us to add five more tracks and a cover to 6 tracks we had already submitted to then make a full length debut.

Q: Later on, LMP showed up with a serious interest in the band. Tell us about please. How many albums did you ever released with Limb Music Products after all?

A: Only 2 albums in total, again line up changes and money just held things up.

Q: What about the co-operation between SK and them? Went all easy way out or not?

A: Generally it was good, Limb Music are honest and straight down the line, I think we knew where we stood with them even if we didn't always like it. It was no problem in the end to come out as the contract expired and they chose not renew but no worries we happy where we are now.

Q: Can you give us a list of all the albums you've ever brought out? Please, mention also the release year and the label you were involved with those days.

A: ShadowKeep: 6 track CD October '99 self release

Rebellion 'A Tribute to Queensryche' (Queen of the Ryche): Dwell Records

Corruption Within: 2000 Limb Music

A Chaos Theory: 2002 Limb Music

The Hourglass Effect: 2008 Melissa Records  

Q: Best album for yourself Chris, what will it be and why especially this one?

A: Because I really think it features our best writing to date not just musically and technically but vocal the vocals on this album are by far the best we have had and also the production is outstanding. 


 

Q: Well to me, you guys only made real good effort! I'm a believer of US Metal music since a very long time Chris, concerning this style of music - I know where I talk about. ShadowKeep's music gives me all the time the same satisfaction such as I am while listening to other US Metal bands. You guys have a serious dose of US Metal on board and that's just what I like. How strong is the bond between SK and US Metal music?

A: Thanks for that we do try to please. Well both myself and Nikki are heavily influenced by US Power Metal, and US Speed Metal bands of the '80's so the bond is strong there I think. 


 

Q: Can you give me a small list of favourite groups?

A: In no particular order, Crimson Glory, Vicious Rumors, Warlord, Deadly Blessing, early Queensryche, Leather Wolf, Agent Steel, Realm, Flotsam 'n' Jetsam, Fates Warning, Omen, Forbidden, Sanctuary, Helstar and more latterly Lethal, Symphony X, Kamelot, Evergrey, Primal Fear, Manatude9, Brainstorm the list goes on.
 

Q: During you career so far, you guys shared the stage with  Metal giants like Dio, Halford, Dream Theater,... what to say about that experiences Chris?

A: Awesome and unreal to support some of our heroes. Didn't get to meet Dio but hey you cant have it all. Dont ever remember supporting Dream Theatre though, did you mean Dream Evil? Of course we would be more than happy to support Dream Theate too ha! 

Q: A while ago, you played at Mario's Metal Mania 2008 festival in Tilburg, Holland. Along with Vicious Rumors and a few other bands ' fantastic bill! How was the gig over there Chris? Meeting Ronnie Stixx who played in ShadowKeep before, right?

A: Yes it was great to be playing again in Holland we really enjoyed it even though we had just driven there from the UK and were very tired but that's metal right? It was great to play with VR, Wolf and Arctic Flame didn't catch the first band but sure they were good too and it was cool to see Ronnie again, there are no hard feelings.

Q: Why exactly Ronnie left the ShadowKeep ranks?

A: There were some differences of opinion among other things, I think Ronnie liked to do things a certain way which didn't fit with us so we parted ways but as I said no hard feelings and we wish him all the best with Vicious Rumors. 

Q: Is new singer Richie still active in Tygers Of Pan Tang or can we consider this guy as a full ShadowKeep member from now on?

A: No I think I safely say Richie is no longer active in TOPT and that he is a fulltime committed member of ShadowKeep.

RICHIE WICKS-Vocals 

Q: Along with him, the new album ''The Hourglass Effect'' is released through Melissa Records. First of all congrats from the heart with such an amazing effort! Where the companionship with Melissa Records comes from?

A: I think Nikki had already spotted Melissa Records on the internet while were looking for a deal and we had planned to send them promo but it was our good friend Oliver Kerkdijk who writes for Digital Steel (I think) who recommended Melissa Records to us and rest is history as they say. 

Q: Is this a one album deal or can we expect some more albums on this label later on?

A: I think we can expect another album with MR but I guess that will depend largely on the sales of The Hourglass effect.

Q: Please Chris, tell us some more about the progress finishing this album.

A: Long painful probably sums it up, of course it's all been worth it to finally have the finished article in our hands and to be getting the great all the great reviews that we have so far, now just have to get out and do some more shows which we are planning as I write this.

Q: In your own words, how would you describe an album like ''The Hourglass Effect''.

A: The culmination of years of hard work, every drop of our creativity combined with all of our ability and drawing on all of our influences to create ''The Hourglass Effect'' I think has the right balance of power and melody, technical but I think we still have songs and more or less as much variation as possible within our style I hope.

Q: What about the lyrical contents and your personal favourite song?

A: The lyrics were written by Richie and think he has done fine job, I think well written and intelligent yet not so in depth that no one can grasp what he's singing about and also they are memorable which is cool.

My favourite track would be a tough one as I like them all but I suppose 'Waiting for the Call' would be one, I love the way the vocal melody works with riff. 'Six Billion Points of Light', 'Heart Shaped Stone', but if I had to choose it would probably be 'Riot on Earth', it's very catchy in my opinion, nice and up tempo with a good groove.

Q: To promote the album, what's on the list. Meanwhile, the European tour with Vicious Rumors is ended, right?

A: Yes we are planning some shows for early next year but regarding Vicious Rumors we would have loved to tour with them but I the financial cost would have been beyond anything we could afford at this point. Still I wouldn't rule it out for the future, anything is possible we are always looking for opportunities to play and promote our music. 

Q: Any concerts planned in Belgium so far?

A: It's being talked about, we would like to support or headline with Belgium bands for instance and do a couple of shows there, or support a bigger band from outside what ever works best really but we'll get there.

Q: Can you recommend us some other UK bands with a US Metal feel?

A: I guess the band Intense have a lot US influences, Balance of Power and possibly Bio Mechanical with some of the vocal style but it's probably more Rob Halford than anything but no one else springs to mind.

Q: One ultimate goal you really wants to achieve no matter what it takes... what will that be Chris?

A: I guess to make a living out of ShadowKeep among other things. 

Q: Besides playing Metal music - some other ambitions?

A: To go to The Parthanon in Athens and to see many of the other great wonders of the ancient world. Go to the October Fest in Germany and generally drink more real beer in every country that brews beer properly and we already know that Belgium do that right? ha!

Q: Well that's it for now brother - a pleasure and honour to me and the rest of MTI posting this interview online myself real soon. Nothing but the very best with a further movements in the camp of SK... keep on bringing the very best in Metal music like you always did right from the start. Some last remarks to end up?

A: Hail to you brother and all our fans in Belgium I am having beer right now as I finish this interview and I raise my glass to you all and promise that we will be back in Belgium soon, Cheers - Chris SK.

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