Less a band. more a concept

Serenade of Shadows is an independent international production duo based out of Richmond, Virginia USA and Preston, Lancashire England. Formed by Damian Winn and Damian Rounding, the project blends experimental songwriting with a deep appreciation for the emotion, atmosphere, and aggression of underground heavy music from the past.

Serenade of Shadows began as a collaboration project for Collab Smash, hosted by Universal Recording Machine. Following the release of their debut single, False Idols, in 2025, the duo shifted focus toward creating a full-length record inspired by one of their favorite eras of music: early metalcore.

Released in July 2026, A Sequence of Endings established the foundation of the band’s first-generation sound; a style rooted in the raw intensity of early metalcore, hardcore, and melodic metal. Combining Winn’s unfiltered vocal delivery and deeply personal songwriting with Rounding’s polished yet aggressive instrumentation, Serenade of Shadows intentionally moves away from modern metal trends in favor of a sound shaped by nostalgia, emotion, and the duo’s individual production identities.

Built independently from opposite sides of the Atlantic, Serenade of Shadows exists as both a musical project and a reflection of the sounds, aesthetics, and emotions that defined a generation of heavy music listeners.

While the project’s first chapter is heavily influenced by early metalcore and adjacent heavy genres, Serenade of Shadows was never intended to be confined to a single sound. Future releases are expected to intentionally explore different genres, aesthetics, and production approaches while maintaining the emotional weight and nostalgic atmosphere that define the project’s identity. Rather than chasing trends or consistency for its own sake, the duo approaches each release as its own self-contained era, one shaped by the music, culture, and emotions that inspired it.