MYSTERIES END formed around the mid 1990’s. What started as a two piece – Alan O’Connell (guitar) and Keith McCoy (drums) eventually became the line up with Gary Cooper (vocals), Stephen Fitzgerald (guitar). They went on to record a 5 track demo in Limerick’s XERICS studios, with bass duties performed by Alan, Keith & Stephen. Gigging locally and adding Dave Brosnan on Bass, MYSTERIES END went on to record the song ‘Starscorned’ for the “First Irish Heavy Metal Compilation” in Dublin followed by a couple of gigs to promote the release by Panic records in 1997.

The years that followed saw yet another change in line up with Sean O’Brien taking up bass duties and Stephen leaving guitar duties to become lead singer. This period also saw a lot of song writing, practice, gigs and long hiatuses too, unfortunately. It wasn’t until 2003 that MYSTERIES END would releases another demo. “What The Mirror Does Not See” was a 6 track demo and had yet another line up change, this time with Ger Carmody on bass. Playing regularly in Limerick, MYSTERIES END enjoyed their last couple of years of gigs before eventually playing their last one with Alan Griffin pulling bass duties on the night, on April 17th 2005. MYSTERIES END would again find themselves down to a two piece. Alan and Keith continued to write, practice and record demos for a few years after that. Those demos may or may not see the light of day sometime, who knows…

Joining forces from the ashes of former metal and rock bands, Keith and Steff Caffrey unite to form alt-rock/acoustic two-piece Shock Sorrow. Their distinctive signature of impassioned vocals balanced with poignant guitars has earned them their reputation as emotive songwriters in Ireland’s acoustic rock scene. 

The group’s debut EP The Heart Bleeds demonstrates Keith’s honest and profound lyrics, which reflect on love, loss, and grief, while Steff’s blend of acoustic and electric guitars creates a rich and textured auditory atmosphere. Recorded, mixed, and co-produced by the duo in Steff’s Oirialla Production Suite, the EP is inspired by and dedicated to the memory of Aoife, Keith’s soul mate. It is a brooding and haunting journey through profound grief. Mastered by Siegfried Meier at Beach Road Mastering, Ontario, Canada The Heart Bleeds stands proudly in the company of bands such as Kittie and Woods Of Ypres.

Armed with their powerful EP, dual guitars, and years of collective experience Shock Sorrow is now ready to bring their sound to live audiences.

alan collins is following