SHADOW OF THE TALISMAN show the struggle of life’s difficulties in new “What Is Real?” music video, LP album out February 21, 2025
Watch the new music video “What Is Real?” via YouTube, and listen to the single on all digital music platforms worldwide via this location
New album As Above, So Below set for release on February 21, 2025, recorded & mixed by Shadow of the Talisman and Mark Stewart at Raydon Studio. Pre-order / Pre-save at this location
Shadow of the Talisman are an Alternative Metal band striving to unite all facets of the metal scene through heart-wrenching lyrics, and complex musical passages, where every metalhead can find something perfect for themselves. The band just premiered a new music video for their emotional new single entitled “What Is Real?“; the second single & music video taken from their upcoming full-length album As Above, So Below which will be released on February 21, 2025 via Eclipse Records. The music video was directed by Mike Smith, and the album was produced, recorded and mixed by the band alongside Mark Stewart at Raydon Studio.
“Out of all our songs, this really is one of the most powerful we have, with its thought-provoking lyrics, themes, and musical prowess that we want to show off” says drummer Kyle Williams, “From the decaying building to the defeated performance from our main character, we really feel this video has captured the essence of the song and its tone. With a limited budget, small timeframe and a challenging environment to record in, we are proud of what our video turned out to be. We know that people are going to connect with the visuals in the video.” Vocalist & Director Mike Smith adds “This song is about the negative thoughts that run through someone’s mind who is struggling to cope with life’s difficulties and trials. Eventually you either become numb or delusional to what is going on in your life. Our main character The Outlaw (who was portrayed by Brandon Stutzman) is meant to be your guide through these negative emotions. What makes this music video special to us is that it was written, produced, and edited by the members in the band. Everyone had a part to play to bring this production to life. We cannot wait to show this music video and song off to the world, and it will leave you asking, What is Real?”
The band’s debut studio album As Above, So Below, is a bold concept album introducing us to The Dark One, who chooses to recruit and resurrect a broken man to transform him into a killing machine soon known as The Outlaw. This tragic devil’s plaything loses his reality like a dollar bill in a hurricane and goes straight to a fiery hell where a deal is made and the remains of his soul, shattered. The album is a gorgeous tornado of genres and mediums swirled into one of the greatest horror stories ever told through funky, break-oriented alternative metal featuring powerful vocals and intricate, raucous instrumentals. Lyrically, the global theme here is “we reap what we sow,” yet musically, the soul of this band is defined by “dynamics,” never linear, always striking and astonishing. Focus tracks include “The Outlaw,” a riff-oriented thrill ride filled with savage syncopation and an epic climax, as well as “What Is Real?,” featuring a heartrending traditional vocal and ultimately satisfying breaks and full-stops. The climax of the album is an experience in itself, constructed of four parts culminating with “So Below,” as hard-driving a metal song as one would find with an ending better than Seven or Us. As Above, So Below is a masterpiece in terms of its content, concept, and musical execution. It is a glorious smorgasbord, made for everyone with a taste for the flavor of rock, brazen and bold, inclusive and eclectic, drawing all of us into the fold. As Above, So Below is scheduled to be released via Eclipse Records on February 21, 2025.
Pre-Save or Pre-Order As Above, So Below at this location.
For more information about Shadow of the Talisman and their “What Is Real?” music video, please visit them on their official website, and connect with the band on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, and follow them on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, Tidal, and Deezer now!
Shadow of the Talisman tour dates (get tickets)
Jan 25 Detroit, MI @ Lager House w/ Fit for Treason
Feb 28 Hamtramck, MI @ The Sanctuary w/ The Eighth Passenger
Shadow of the Talisman discography
As Above, So Below (LP) – 2025
As Above, So Below track listing
01. Arise
02. What Is Real?
03. Fiery Descent
04. Dead with the Devil
05. The Outlaw
06. Cursed
07. As Above
08. So Below
Shadow of the Talisman’s lineup
Mike Smith (Vocals), Zack Harrison (Guitar), Owen Summerland (Guitar), Elijah Kinney (Bass), Kyle Williams (Drums)
