Kittie became a major player in the nu-metal world with the release of their debut album Spit in 1999. Over the years that followed, they developed into something even more sinister with 2009’s In The Black and 2011’s I’ve Failed You. However, following the touring cycle for the latter album, the band slowly disappeared before going on a complete hiatus. Besides one hometown show in London, Ontario, in 2017, and their Documentary Kittie: Origins/Evolutions, they spent 13 years completely out of the spotlight.

Everything changed after being contacted by promoters for shows in 2022 and 2023, which included the sold-out Sick New World festival. After agreeing to make their much-awaited return, the attention of fans, newcomers to the band, and Sumerian Records was on them.

During the years apart, they developed as songwriters and musicians, preparing to resurface as a brutal force. After signing to Sumerian, they revealed the new era of Kittie with their comeback single, “Eyes Wide Open,” on Valentine's Day, 2024.

On April 4, 2024, they followed up the single with “We Are Shadows.” The lyrical themes illustrate uncertainty in a world filled with increasing division, showcased in the breakdown as vocalist Morgan Lander screams, “No salvation / No respite / No forgiveness / Shadows in the night.”

Lander revealed, “We Are Shadows is about the uncertainty of a future that we can no longer control. We have come to a critical place in life and in our world, and much like an eclipse overtaking the sun, we are losing the light.”

She continued, “The image of shadows slowly fading in the evening darkness, and the analogy of ‘us’ as shadows in the night really illustrates the possibility of slowly fading into oblivion. It is not a song of hope however, it’s a song of coming to terms with the damage we do and acceptance of our fate. We’ve let darkness take hold, and so we are resolved to fade in the night with it.”

Alongside the heavy and lyrical single came its artistic music video. Kittie is depicted performing in a gothic church, while shots of Lander lying surrounded by candles intertwine the shots. The band's raw energy is prevalent throughout, making a perfect partner for the song's energy.