Shadows Fall's first two studio albums featured David Germain playing drums; however, in 2002, Bittner joined the band full-time.

In February 2008, the band was a Grammy Award nominee in the category Best Metal Performance for the song "Redemption" from the album Threads of Life.

[4] Shadows Fall was formed in 1996 by guitarists Jonathan Donais and Matt Bachand, who were good friends from the local music scene.

Later on, the band found a complete lineup with the addition of Damien McPherson (vocals), Mark Laliberte (bass), and David Germain (drums).

Around the same time, bass guitarist Paul Romanko, formally of the hardcore band Pushbutton Warfare, was recruited as a permanent replacement for Laliberte, who had originally joined temporarily.

The band recorded its second studio album Of One Blood with Fair on vocals in 2000, and the release included re-recorded songs from Somber Eyes to the Sky.

In 2001, David Germain decided to leave the band due to alcoholism, and was replaced by former Stigmata and Burning Human drummer Jason Bittner.

[9][15] Due to repeated comparisons with Gothenburg melodic death metal bands, Shadows Fall decided to change its style.

[16] Inspired by more thrash, hard rock and power ballad influences, the band recorded its third studio album, titled The Art of Balance.

[18] Shadows Fall released three music videos to promote the album; "Thoughts Without Words", "Destroyer of Senses", and "The Idiot Box".

[18] In promotion for the album, Shadows Fall released four music videos over the course of one year; "The Power of I and I", "What Drives the Weak", "Inspiration on Demand", and "Enlightened By the Cold".

David Jeffries of AllMusic claimed the album is "a great informal introduction to the ferocious and melodic witches' brew Shadows Fall always seems to nail.

Jurek also said the album featured "killer guitar breaks, big fat chugging riffs, power-slam skin work, cattle prod bass, and cool little hooks and melodic touches on top of those bludgeoning riffs make Threads of Life a major label debut of merit, and a metal record worthy of celebrating.

There is no doubt in my mind that this will be the best performance of my career, so far, and I owe that to my guys for bringing me incredible riffs to write killer drum parts to.

"[citation needed] As of the fall of 2009 the band was appearing on the 'Shock & Raw' tour of North America with 2Cents, Otep & Five Finger Death Punch.

After a South American tour, Shadows Fall performed on the Jägermeister Stage in the 2010 Rockstar Mayhem Festival in July and August 2010, as well as supporting Lamb of God.

On June 28, 2014, Shadows Fall performed with the bands Black Fast, Dead by Wednesday, Hallow Point, and Gray's Divide in St. Louis, Missouri.

music podcast, drummer Jason Bittner revealed that Shadows Fall had "tried to get together last year for a reunion", and they were planning to play one of their first shows in over half a decade at the Worcester Palladium.

"[41] On June 22, 2021, Brian Fair confirmed that Shadows Fall were reuniting for their first show in over half a decade at the Worcester Palladium on December 18.

I know Jon and Matt are riff machines — I'm sure they've got stuff — but they do also have other projects they're working on too… But right now we're just kind of recovering a little bit, trying to make sure I get my neck back in shape.