Releases
Shadowplay III
My debut full-length release is on its way! Around 6 years in the making, this album encompasses the sound of Shadowplay's melancholy on a much larger scale! I am honoured to be joined by Katie Thompson (Chiasma, Fallujah), who has provided some of the most incredible vocals throughout. Stay tuned for more!
Listen to 'Earth', 'No Place Like Home / A Life's Window' and 'Giants' now!
Genre: Progressive Metal, Art Rock
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synths/Keys: Dan Pierson
Additional vocals: Katie Thompson
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Dan Pierson
Shadowplay II
Shadowplay II expands on the themes explored in the original, but through a more metaphorical narrative.
With this release, I wanted to branch off from a typical 'one dimensional' understanding of loneliness and explore how feelings of isolation and disconnection can manifest and develop into twisted interpretations of the world and human relationships.
Tracklisting:
1. Have You Seen the World?
2. Static
3. Refusal
4. Shadowplay: Spider's Web
5. Eden Sky Train
6. Chamber
7. After Ghosts Grow Old
Release Date: 30th June 2018
Genre: Progressive Metal, Art Rock
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synths/Keys - Dan Pierson
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Dan Pierson
Rapture
Rapture is my heavy/proggy outlet. It's also my first release to feature guest musicians and vocalists.
The concept that threads these tracks together is an exploration into different interpretations of end times; whether literal or something more spiritual.
Tracklisting:
1. Exsolus
2. Voyage
3. Another World
4. Rapture
5. Vein
Release Date: 4th September 2017
Genre: Progressive Metal, Art Rock
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synths/Keys - Dan Pierson
Additional Vocals - Candra Johnson & Alyssia Pollexfen
Lead Guitar - Lennert Kemper
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Dan Pierson
Shadowplay
I wouldn’t say that Shadowplay is an extension or even a continuation of Mesolus, musically speaking.
There is less focus on the densely layered 'industrial heaviness’ heard in Mesolus. In Shadowplay, the sounds are far more natural and stripped back. It’s an honest and sincere musical depiction of my mind. It’s darker, but certainly not depressing by any means, and I’d like to think it’s lyrically more mature, exploring deeper themes such as futility, denial and acceptance.
Tracklisting:
1. Dusk I
2. Adrift
3. Silent World
4. Closure
5. Time Wasted
6. Shadowplay: Butterfly
7. Dusk II
Release Date: 19th December 2016
Genre: Alternative Progressive Metal, Art Rock, Post-Rock
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synths/Keys - Dan Pierson
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Dan Pierson
Where it all began. Before the release of Mesolus, I never really considered being an 'artist'. I was just an audio engineer with a real passion for capturing music that was reminiscent of bands that I enjoyed listening to (Devin Townsend, Ayreon etc.)...
Living in the middle of nowhere, it was near impossible to find local metal bands of that style, so I just decided to do everything myself (as you do...)!
It was quite an isolating experience, I had to overcome the struggle of having no other musicians bringing forward fresh ideas. But this was the beginning of something new, I finally found an outlet for my creative musical ideas.
So that's the story. Everything you see and hear was created by me in my home studio. A mammoth challenge which I hope paid off!
Tracklisting:
1. Alive
2. Omega
3. Ghost Dance
4. Dream
5. Awake
Released: 30th May 2016
Genre: Progressive Metal, Industrial Metal, New Age
Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Synths/Keys - Dan Pierson
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Dan Pierson