The UK melodic death/metalcore group Shrike are this week’s featured Meet The Band artist. Their full-length debut is The Divine And The Serpentine. Guitarist/vocalist Liam Shaw, drummer Ste Byrne and guitarist Danny Greenwood introduce us to their band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Shrike.
Liam Shaw: Shrike was born out of the ashes of a previous band, where Ste (our drummer) and I first met. We weren’t musically satisfied, so we decided to start our own project in late 2015/early 2016. We finalized our first lineup in 2017, wrote our debut EP in 2018, and began playing live shows in 2019. Since then, we’ve relentlessly toured across the UK, releasing a handful of singles along with unreleased tracks from our debut album, which is set to drop this February.
Describe the songwriting process for The Divine and The Serpentine.
Liam: Our songwriting process is probably similar to most modern bands. As the main songwriter, I initially created rough demos or skeletons in my home studio. I then sent them over to the rest of the band for their input. Ste has a strong producer’s ear and is great at refining and enhancing pre-existing material. Together, we worked on arrangements, reworked drum parts, and shaped the songs into their final form.
About two years into the process, Ste and I realized that the creative chemistry within the band wasn’t working with some members. We made a personnel change midway through, which meant we had to rework the songs — completely rewriting the lyrics and bass parts. We brought in Lucas Fletcher from the band Blanket to record vocals for the album. While in the studio, his spontaneous ideas elevated the tracks even further. Lucas also mixed the record with help from Connor Sweeney (ex-Loathe), and that’s how The Divine and The Serpentine came to life!
What will be your strongest memory of recording the album?
Liam: For most artists who started writing in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is an unavoidable memory, and it’s no exception for us. That time was full of uncertainty, which naturally influenced our songwriting. However, the pandemic also gave us a chance to pause and reflect on our own lives. We channeled those emotions into this album, making it a deeply personal and cathartic experience.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
Liam: Honestly, just finishing the damn thing! [laughs] There were times when I genuinely thought this music would never see the light of day. Sleepless nights, anxiety attacks, countless roadblocks—memories both pristine and tarnished, lost and gained connections, financial stress, the pandemic… It took us four long, grueling years to complete, but through perseverance and determination, we finally got there.
How would you characterize its style and sound?
Liam: This record is denser and more fully realized than anything we’ve done before. It still retains our melodic death metal/metalcore/progressive metal roots, but we’ve expanded our sound by incorporating ambient, cinematic, and orchestral elements. We wanted to push the envelope, making the songs feel more immersive while still honoring the heavy influences that drew us to metal in the first place.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
Liam: Each song on the new album blends personal experiences with broader themes, exploring addiction, recovery, and overcoming psychological trauma. Tracks like “Ebb and Flow (This Will Never End)” and “The Sinner in Saint’s Regalia” deal with the emotional toll of supporting someone through addiction and struggling with suicidal thoughts. “Serpentine” is loosely based on the story of Medusa, used as a metaphor for mob mentality, black-and-white thinking, and virtue signaling. “Plagues Confide Through Masquerade” delves into the turmoil of narcissistic abuse. We were committed to addressing tough topics with raw honesty and compassion, and I think we nailed that aspect.
How did you decide to cover QOTSA’s “No One Knows,” and how did you approach the arrangement?
Liam: We had always wanted to do a cover, but we could never agree on a song. After the lineup change, Ste and I revisited the idea. We knew it wouldn’t be another metal song because the differences between the original and our version would be minimal. After narrowing down our favorite rock songs, “No One Knows” stood out the most. The arrangement stays relatively close to the original, but we added heavier, down-tuned guitars, ‘metalled-up’ note patterns, and more aggressive drums to give it our own twist.
What led you to go the independent route for its release?
Liam: Two simple reasons: financial and creative control. This is some of our best material to date, and we wanted to ensure it sounded exactly how we envisioned it without outside interference. We still had input from Lucas and our former guitarist Jack, especially in terms of vocals, but we wanted our debut album to truly represent us. Moving forward, signing with an indie label is something we’d definitely consider.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
Danny Greenwood: Naturally, we’d love for the album to make some waves and find its audience.
Liam: Yeah, our main goal is for this album and its messages to reach and inspire as many people as possible. If it generates enough interest, it could open doors for festival slots and tour opportunities. We also want to foster a sense of community — bringing people together through music, whether they’re moshing, singing, or using it as an emotional outlet.
How was the shoot for “The Riverbank” video?
Liam: It was fantastic. We worked with Ryan from In Bloom Visuals. After giving him a brief concept and explaining the song’s meaning, he mapped out a full itinerary — shots, locations, props, and everything in between. We filmed in a stunning part of the Lake District. His direction made the process smooth and enjoyable, and it was great to flex a different kind of creative muscle for a change. We’re really proud of how it turned out.
What has been your most memorable Shrike live show?
Ste Byrne: For me, it was when we supported Distant in Derby in 2022. It was just after live shows started picking back up post-COVID. The venue was packed, we played an amazing set, and we sold a ton of merch. Only downside? I caught COVID that night, just a week before supporting Evil Scarecrow! [laughs]
Liam: Yeah, I’ll second that. Harbinger was on the bill too, and they’re killing it right now. The sun was out, the drinks were flowing, and the community spirit was off the charts that night.
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
Liam: No plans at the moment. We’re in the process of hiring a new vocalist, so live shows are on hold for now. If a festival or support slot came up, we could bring in a temporary vocalist. Until then, the focus is on releasing the album, finding a new vocalist, and getting back on the road.
What are some of your non-musical hobbies and interests?
Ste: Now that I have a five-month-old daughter — none! [laughs] But when I have time, I game. I love action and RPGs. My first console was a Sega Mega Drive, but the Dreamcast was the best!
Liam: Music is my biggest passion and hobby, but outside of that, I love video games, films, hiking, theme parks—anything that delivers a dopamine rush!
Danny: I’ve been focusing on recording music, but I’m a casual gamer (still playing Cyberpunk 2077) and I dabble in Photoshop.
What’s currently in your heavy music rotation?
Meshuggah, Pantera, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse, Strapping Young Lad, Trivium, Veil of Maya, Mastodon, Fit For An Autopsy, Knocked Loose and many more!
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Liam: Just the album for us, but Danny has something to share!
Danny: Yeah! My other project, Where Deprivation Lies, is recording our second album — stay tuned!
(interview published February 22, 2025)
Watch Shrike – “The Riverbank” Video
