Shinedown Release 'Atlas Falls' amid COVID-19 Pandemic To Aid In The Fight

Written By: Zane Brammell

The world is currently seated in one of the most hellbent roller coaster rides we will most likely ever see in our lifetime. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, the entertainment industry has taken a massive hit: putting an end to scheduled touring-forcing artists to push releases back... ultimately endangering the health of the entire entertainment industry. Along with the dangers this poses artists’ livelihood directly, the damage is apparent in all markets: including closures in general retail and education with hospitals combating the pressures to appropriately stock supplies needed to fight the influx in patient numbers. However, the same souls affected by this have turned to various alternatives to continue to push their industries forward. From artists holding online benefit concerts available for livestream including subsequent donation options and seeing businesses put employees over profit in an attempt to slow the progression of the virus by designing work from home programs. Despite the worldwide requirement to quarantine and the unnerving teeter-totter loneliness many are feeling, this resounding outpour of support reaching across countries and belief systems is a reminder of what we are before anything else. Human.

Alternative rock band Shinedown, known for mega-hits “Second Chance” and “Cut The Cord” is doing their part to aid in the relief effort by teaming up with Direct Relief, one of the largest providers of humanitarian resources worldwide. They are working tirelessly to supply medical facilities with the supplies they need to not only aid patients in fighting COVID-19, these same materials that to go without, puts the facility staff at risk. Along with a donation made in their name, the band has released a shirt, with all sale proceeds to be donated to Direct Relief assisting them in their actions to continue working to provide the personal protective equipment so many healthcare providers are short of. The band has also released a once vaulted single, “Atlas Falls,” a harrowing anthem based on Greek mythology, reaffirming that if atlas falls, we still hold each other up in hard times-providing a battle cry for all of us to rally behind. The song is eerily destined to be one of the most powerful Shinedown releases yet. The previously unreleased song is available for instant download along with the purchase of a shirt.

“I have always said and believe to be true that music can heal us all. We need music, and each other, now more than ever as we all are witnessing a global pandemic unlike anything we have ever seen in many generations. Myself, Barry, Zach, Eric, and our Shinedown family want the entire world to know that we are in this together, and we must all do our part and continue to encourage love, respect and taking care of each other. Now is the time to put our differences aside so that we can truly lift each other up. We have partnered with an incredible organization Direct Relief who are doing important work globally to help the medical community receive the resources they need in order to save lives. Years ago during the writing and recording of the Amaryllis album there was a song that meant a great deal to me and the band titled “Atlas Falls.” Although the song did not make the album, I always felt that one day the world would hear it...It has never been more clear to me than right now that the time has come for ‘Atlas Falls’ to arrive.”
- Brent Smith (Shinedown)

Photo by: Sanjay Parikh

To read more about Direct Relief, and the work they’re doing to aid communities struggling during this pandemic, please CLICK HERE. To order a shirt to help support the men and women of Direct Relief working hard to make the world a safer place, CLICK HERE.
​You can check out a soundbite of "Atlas Falls" below.