Shadow Gallery is a six-piece American progressive metal band formed in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania during the early 1980s, originally under the name Sorcerer. After changing their name to Shadow Gallery (taken from the graphic novel V for Vendetta by Alan Moore) and recording a short 8 track demo, the band was signed to Magna Carta Records in 1991. Shadow Gallery's eponymous debut was released the following year in Japan and Europe. On May 30th, 2005 (Europe) and June 7th, 2005 (USA) Shadow Gallery released their fifth studio album (Room V), their first under new record label InsideOut.
The band has a reputation amongst fans for complex song structures and virtuoso musicianship, and as such, they have been compared to contemporary progressive metal veterans Dream Theater, Queensrÿche and Symphony X. The members of Shadow Gallery have also collaborated with other progressive metal bands. Dream Theater's James LaBrie contributed backing vocals to the song "I Believe" (which appeared on Shadow Gallery's 1998 album, Tyranny), and in return Shadow Gallery members have contributed to LaBrie's side projects (such as Mullmuzzler).
Despite the many complex passages in their songs, Shadow Gallery manages to combine them with tight songwriting, production and performance. Their songs, often in the context of a concept album or story, are frequently long with extended instrumental pieces in the middle. For diversity, their music is heavy at times and mellow at others.
