Local musicians Keith and Steff Caffrey, jointly known as Shock Sorrow, released their debut EP “The Heart Bleeds” on Halloween night with a launch gig in McHugh’s beer garden.
The duo hail from Dunleer and Drogheda respectively and both have long careers in the Irish music industry.
Keith fronted the heavy metal band Black Svan who toured Europe with Fozzy, Stuck Mojo and Diamond Head, and Steff was lead guitarist of all-female rockers Black Daisy who to date, are still the only band to have performed in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin.
Shock Sorrow created “The Heart Bleeds” during the most recent lockdown and drew inspiration from the loss of Keith’s fiancée and soulmate Aoife, who tragically passed away in August 2020.
Aoife was just 32 and worked as a clinical nurse specialist in palliative care in St Francis Hospice. Recording original songs started off as a musical outlet for Keith to deal with the tragedy and over time, the music evolved into a fully formed EP which is dedicated to Aoife’s loving memory.
All of the songs reflect Keith’s emotions during this heart-breaking time – grief, love, loss, shock, and pain. The EP is a time capsule of his feelings and is very relatable to anybody who ever lost someone they love.
Steff Caffrey who holds a master’s degree in music and works as a sound engineer and music producer, handled the production of the EP, recording, producing and mixing the songs in her production suite.
“It’s my biggest honour in music to have worked on something so incredibly personal and emotional” Steff said. “My heart goes out to Keith and producing these songs in honour of Aoife is just so very special.”
The final record was mastered in Canada by Siegfried Meier who is synonymous with metal artists Kittie, Woods of Ypres and Tom Araya.
“Siggy is my personal friend and before the pandemic, I spent a long weekend in his amazing Beach Road Studios in Ontario where I got to record an amazing band. It was a no-brainer to ask him to put the final polish on my mixes, and its a huge honour to have him involved.”.
“The Heart Bleeds” is a mix of melodic and acoustic alternative rock. The songs feature Keith’s vocals front and centre and Steff’s mix of electric and acoustic guitars. There is a broad musicianship and mature songwriting on the EP which reflect Keith and Steff’s past musical experiences in metal and rock bands while their sound is brought to a new era.
There is something for everyone: acoustic guitar ballads, an intimate piano/string number and anthemic rock songs. It is available on all digital streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music, and physical CDs are available from the band’s shop: www.shocksorrow.bigcartel.com.
Shock Sorrow are looking forward to their next live gig in McHugh’s Venue on December 29th supporting local Metallica tribute band legends, Metallitia.
