By Mannu Shahi
The Shadows Nepal, a hard rock group from Narayangadh, Chitwan, is amidst the quintessential outfits of the Nepali mainstream rock fraternity. Actively making music together since 1997, the band’s debut album “Suna Hamro Awaz” instantly garnered the group a decent following in their hometown; however, soon after, they went on a hiatus as their former vocalist Basanta Shrestha parted ways with the group.
The re-emergence of the Shadows introduced Swapnil Sharma as the new front-person, and founding members Prakash Rasaily and Prashant VK (babu) on guitars, Amit Pradhan on bass, and Bikash Manandhar on drums with their 2003 banger sophomore album “Hidne Manche Ladcha.” This entry generated quite a stir as they topped the charts with their anthems like ‘Prakriti,’ ‘Ma,’ ‘Bhatkeko Kotha’ and the title track ‘Hidne Manche Ladcha,’ and bagged the Hits FM music awards for the best band, best music and best performance of the year 2006.
Their third full-length studio album, “The Shadows Nepal, Vol. III,” was released in June 2019, introducing Sujan Manandhar on guitars and Sahil Risal on drums replacing Prashant VK and Bikash Manandhar respectively.
The eight-track album, sponsored by Excelsia College, a Sydney-based music and performing arts academy, comprises official videos for every song except the fourth number: ‘Buddha Nepal Ko.’ Tracked by Geoff Lee, recording engineer of Zen Studios, Australia, the entry is mixed/mastered by Rohit Shakya of Fuzz Studios.
Just last year, the group celebrated its 25th anniversary, and, at present, they are all psyched up for their upcoming Nepal tour. Initiating the chain of concerts in Kathmandu, the band is bound to perform at Supper Club on April 7; The Concept, Butwal, on April 8; Vintage Family Resort on April 10; Public School Ground, Kakarvitta on April 12; returning to Purple Haze, Kathmandu on the Nepali New Years’ Eve (April 13); Lime N Lemon, Chitwan on New Years’ Day (April 14); and ending the saga at Paradiso, Pokhara on April 15.
Their songs, lyrically, have mostly revolved around socio-political topics, such as daily life struggles that prevent people from dreaming, poverty, and socially significant occasions.
Gradually, the meaning and resonance of their tunes have inflated with such ardent and reflected well in their later releases. It could be one of the primary reasons for their sustainability in the music business.
Even today, with this flourishing heterogeneous access to music, people still demand and are devoted to outfits like The Shadows Nepal; this, in hindsight, is an affirmative facet of the music appreciation culture of our country.
However, the band has announced via social handles that this is only the first phase of their elaborate 2023 Nepal Tour series.
Further information on upcoming concerts will be disclosed through the band’s social handles, so keep an eye out for further revelations, hop on the trend, and join the rockers in the most accessible venue for you. The rising Nepal
