Hard rock/metal supergroup Bad Penny will drop “The Shadow Still Remains,” featuring Living Colour’s Corey Glover, on April 14. The track is from Bad Penny’s forthcoming album.
Inspired by the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “The Shadow Still Remains” escorts listeners on a journey of pain and redemption. A portion of proceeds from the track will benefit the Let Freedom Ring Foundation based in Williamsburg, Virginia.
“The Shadow Still Remains” rides on the talents of bassist Danny Miranda (Queen, Blue Oyster Cult), guitarist Tony Bruno (Joan Jett, Dee Snider), drummer Jason Gianni (“The Voice”), and lead guitarist/songwriter Mike Holtzman.
In 2021, Bad Penny released three singles, including “The Mirror Lies,” “Don’t Forget (This Christmas),” and “Lose Myself,” followed by 2022’s “Army of One” with Dee Snider, and “Push Comes to Shove,” featuring Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Militia Vox.
Produced by Tony Bruno, “The Shadow Still Remains” rolls out on a low-slung gleaming guitar backed by gentle strings. As the song ramps up, a deliciously heavy rhythm imbues the tune with a muscular cadence as thick guitars infuse the harmonics with waves of pulsating oomph.
Highlighted by Glover’s distinctively potent voice, the song thrums with layers of sound, at once electrifying and grand. On the solo, Holtzman cuts loose with his axe, launching blistering licks dripping with incandescent ferocity.
As the tune culminates, the voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. is heard in the background. On the outro, the song descends to soft, acoustic washes as Glover concludes, singing “We’re the same, no matter what we do.”
Ebbing and rising from tender acoustic surfaces to heavyweight rock leitmotifs, “The Shadow Still Remains” is superbly wrought.
