The Shadow of an Empire is the second studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan, released on 8 February 2010 on Heavenly Records and Universal Music Ireland.

[6] Following the album's release, Regan toured with support act, Danny and the Champions of the World, appearing as his backing band.

Following the critical success of his debut album, The End of History, Fionn Regan began working on a follow-up with producer Ethan Johns.

"[7] Regan subsequently left Lost Highway and relocated to Ireland to start afresh, recording in an old biscuit factory.

Regan states that he wrote character-based songs on his typewriter first, before putting the words to music, and notes that:[5] touring is very different to sitting in a room with a piano, and that was a big part of it, and some of the tunes this time felt like I could move them.