Nightfall (band)
Encyclopedia
Nightfall is a Greek heavy metal
band from Athens
. Formed by vocalist/bassist Efthimis Karadimas in 1991, the group is currently signed to Metal Blade Records
.
, a new French record label that was looking for an act to use to help introduce itself to the music business worldwide. A deal followed and gave birth to the debut release of Nightfall and Holy records, Parade Into Centuries
, in 1992. The release proved a successful pioneering step as time went on for both Nightfall and Holy Records. This paradigm was followed by many in both countries, establishing a tradition for French labels to release Greek metal albums.
Nightfall stayed with Holy Records throughout the decade, resulting in 1994’s Macabre Sunsets
, 1995’s Athenian Echoes
, 1997’s Lesbian Show
, and 1999’s Diva Futura
, backed by European tours. Line-up changes were effected in almost every release, with Karadimas remaining the only constant. The early days saw Chris Adamou on rhythm guitars and Costas Savvidis on drums, while later Jim Agelopoulos and Phil Anton would take the guitar spot; Bob Katsionis
would join on keys for their summer of 2001 Wacken appearance, with Mark Cross
on drums, and Mike Galiatsos coming in on lead guitars. Katsionis would later handle guitar duties as well, and both himself and Cross would later go on to perform with Greek power metal outfit Firewind
(the main band of guitarist Gus G, who became Ozzy Osbourne
’s guitarist in 2010).
The next few years saw the band changing direction and a new record deal was signed with Greek label Black Lotus Records
with whom Nightfall released two albums: 2003’s I am Jesus
and 2005’s Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments
. George Bokos
appeared as a guitarist on Lyssa. In 2005 the band ceased its live performances for good and George Bokos joined fellow Greeks Rotting Christ
. The same year drummer George Kollias
, who had replaced Cross some years prior and appeared on both albums, ended up in the American death metal band Nile
.
The band had apparently split up (although no official announcement was ever made about it), yet in early 2009 Stathis Kassios (known to Efthimis Karadimas from his on stage keyboard services in the previous years) introduced American guitarist Evan Hensley to Karadimas in an effort to convince him to record some new compositions together. German drummer and producer Jörg Uken was already in touch with Efthimis Karadimas, and words became actions in early 2010 when this new line-up was announced. This new line-up and the new sound it delivered attracted American label Metal Blade Records
, who offered a record deal.
Their 2010 release "Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants" was released on Metal Blade Records in August, 2010. The album was almost universally well-received, garnering high praise from numerous international critics, and included artwork by noted American cover artist Travis Smith
.
In 2011, the band added two new members to further round out their line-up: guitarist Constantine and bassist Stathis Ridis.
Former members
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. Formed by vocalist/bassist Efthimis Karadimas in 1991, the group is currently signed to Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
.
History
Nightfall was formed in 1991 by frontman and bassist Efthimis Karadimas. Within a few months of existence, Karadimas had produced Nightfall’s one-and-only demo tape, Vanity. The 4 track demo was noticed by Holy RecordsHoly Records
Holy Records is a French metal label run by Misanthrope frontman Phillipe De L'Argilière. Aside from Misanthrope itself, the label has not signed many French bands, but also corresponds with several Greek bands.-Current and former artists:*Am'ganesha'n...
, a new French record label that was looking for an act to use to help introduce itself to the music business worldwide. A deal followed and gave birth to the debut release of Nightfall and Holy records, Parade Into Centuries
Parade into Centuries
Parade into Centuries is the debut album by the Greek metal band Nightfall. It was released in 1992 on Holy Records.-Track listing:# "Thoughts" – 6:35# "Domestication of Wildness" – 6:47# "Vanity" – 3:01# "The Passage" – 4:42...
, in 1992. The release proved a successful pioneering step as time went on for both Nightfall and Holy Records. This paradigm was followed by many in both countries, establishing a tradition for French labels to release Greek metal albums.
Nightfall stayed with Holy Records throughout the decade, resulting in 1994’s Macabre Sunsets
Macabre Sunsets
Macabre Sunsets is the second album by the Greek death metal band Nightfall. It was released in 1994 on Holy Records.-Track listing:# "" – 2:48 # "Precious/ All My Love Is Lost" – 4:09...
, 1995’s Athenian Echoes
Athenian Echoes
Athenian Echoes is the third album by the Greek metal band Nightfall. It was released in 1995 on Holy Records.-Track listing:# “Aye Azure”—4:51# “Armada”—4:46# “Isthar ”—7:56# “The Vineyard”—5:50# “I’m a Daemond”—7:39...
, 1997’s Lesbian Show
Lesbian Show
Lesbian Show is the fourth album by the Greek metal band Nightfall.-Track listing:# "Lesbian Show" - 3:04# "Aenaon - 4:31# "Dead Woman, Adieu - 3:47# "The Secret Admirer - 5:12# "My Own Troy - 4:05# "The Fleshmaker - 5:34# "Death Star - 3:26...
, and 1999’s Diva Futura
Diva Futura
Diva Futura is an Italian pornography and erotica film studio. When founded in 1983 by porn star Ilona Staller and photographer and talent scout Riccardo Schicchi, it was the first casting agency in Italy to specialize in pornography...
, backed by European tours. Line-up changes were effected in almost every release, with Karadimas remaining the only constant. The early days saw Chris Adamou on rhythm guitars and Costas Savvidis on drums, while later Jim Agelopoulos and Phil Anton would take the guitar spot; Bob Katsionis
Bob Katsionis
Babis "Bob" Katsionis , born on February 17, 1977 in Athens, Greece, is the rhythm guitarist and keyboard player for the heavy metal/power metal bands Firewind, Revolution Renaissance and Outloud.-Appearances:...
would join on keys for their summer of 2001 Wacken appearance, with Mark Cross
Mark Cross
Mark Cross is a hard rock and heavy metal drummer. He was born to an English father and German mother, raised in Germany and later moved to Greece...
on drums, and Mike Galiatsos coming in on lead guitars. Katsionis would later handle guitar duties as well, and both himself and Cross would later go on to perform with Greek power metal outfit Firewind
Firewind
Firewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist, Gus G. to showcase his demo, Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded...
(the main band of guitarist Gus G, who became Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
’s guitarist in 2010).
The next few years saw the band changing direction and a new record deal was signed with Greek label Black Lotus Records
Black Lotus Records
Black Lotus Records was an independent record label based in Greece that specialized in metal. After licensing an amount of new artists, Black Lotus Records surprised the scene by suddenly filing for bankruptcy and all announced titles are on hold indefinitely....
with whom Nightfall released two albums: 2003’s I am Jesus
I Am Jesus
I Am Jesus is the sixth studio album by the Greek metal band Nightfall, released in 2003 on Black Lotus. The songs were mostly written & arranged by bassist/vocalist Efthimis Karadimas, with the exception of four songs, which were co-written with guitarist Mike Galiatsos, who ironically exited the...
and 2005’s Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments
Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments
Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments is the seventh album by the Greek metal band Nightfall.-Track listing:# "Dark Red Sky" - 3:28# "Swollen" - 3:12# "Christless" - 3:46# "Master of My Dreams" - 3:39# "The Perfect Lie" - 3:59...
. George Bokos
Giorgos Bokos
Giorgos Bokos is the guitarist of the Greek black metal band Rotting Christ. He was previously a member of: Nightfall, Obsecration, Sickening Horror, Exhibition.Giorgos is endorsed by and...
appeared as a guitarist on Lyssa. In 2005 the band ceased its live performances for good and George Bokos joined fellow Greeks Rotting Christ
Rotting Christ
Rotting Christ is a Greek black metal band formed in 1987. They are noted for being one of the first black metal bands within this region, as well as a premier act within the European underground metal scene.- Line-up :...
. The same year drummer George Kollias
George Kollias (drummer)
George Kollias is a Greek heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American death metal band Nile. He is the first of their four drummers to perform every song on more than one full length album...
, who had replaced Cross some years prior and appeared on both albums, ended up in the American death metal band Nile
Nile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
.
The band had apparently split up (although no official announcement was ever made about it), yet in early 2009 Stathis Kassios (known to Efthimis Karadimas from his on stage keyboard services in the previous years) introduced American guitarist Evan Hensley to Karadimas in an effort to convince him to record some new compositions together. German drummer and producer Jörg Uken was already in touch with Efthimis Karadimas, and words became actions in early 2010 when this new line-up was announced. This new line-up and the new sound it delivered attracted American label Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
, who offered a record deal.
Their 2010 release "Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants" was released on Metal Blade Records in August, 2010. The album was almost universally well-received, garnering high praise from numerous international critics, and included artwork by noted American cover artist Travis Smith
Travis Smith (artist)
Travis Smith is an American graphic artist best known for designing heavy metal album art. He has been called "renowned" by Alternative Press and "unquestionably one of the most talented graphic artists in metal today" by Chronicles of Chaos...
.
In 2011, the band added two new members to further round out their line-up: guitarist Constantine and bassist Stathis Ridis.
Members
Current members- Efthimis Karadimas - vocals (1991–present)
- Evan Hensley - guitars (2009–present)
- Constantine - guitars (2011–present)
- Stathis Ridis - bass (2011–present)
- Stathis Kassios - keyboards (2005–present)
- Jörg Uken - drums (2009–present)
Former members
- Chris Adamou - guitars (1991–1999)
- Jim Agelopoulos - guitars (1997)
- Mike Galiatsos - guitars (1991–1999)
- Phil Anton - guitars (1999–2002)
- Costas Savidis - drums (1991–1999)
- George KolliasGeorge Kollias (drummer)George Kollias is a Greek heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American death metal band Nile. He is the first of their four drummers to perform every song on more than one full length album...
- drums (1999–2005) - Mark Cross - drums (on Diva Futura)
- George Aspiotis - keyboards, piano, effects (1993–1999)
- Marc McKnight - bass (1999–2002)
- George BokosGiorgos BokosGiorgos Bokos is the guitarist of the Greek black metal band Rotting Christ. He was previously a member of: Nightfall, Obsecration, Sickening Horror, Exhibition.Giorgos is endorsed by and...
- guitar (2002–2005) - Bob KatsionisBob KatsionisBabis "Bob" Katsionis , born on February 17, 1977 in Athens, Greece, is the rhythm guitarist and keyboard player for the heavy metal/power metal bands Firewind, Revolution Renaissance and Outloud.-Appearances:...
- guitar (1999–2005) - Kostas Kyriakopoulos - bass (2004–2005)
Discography
- Parade into CenturiesParade into CenturiesParade into Centuries is the debut album by the Greek metal band Nightfall. It was released in 1992 on Holy Records.-Track listing:# "Thoughts" – 6:35# "Domestication of Wildness" – 6:47# "Vanity" – 3:01# "The Passage" – 4:42...
(1992) - Macabre SunsetsMacabre SunsetsMacabre Sunsets is the second album by the Greek death metal band Nightfall. It was released in 1994 on Holy Records.-Track listing:# "" – 2:48 # "Precious/ All My Love Is Lost" – 4:09...
(1994) - Athenian EchoesAthenian EchoesAthenian Echoes is the third album by the Greek metal band Nightfall. It was released in 1995 on Holy Records.-Track listing:# “Aye Azure”—4:51# “Armada”—4:46# “Isthar ”—7:56# “The Vineyard”—5:50# “I’m a Daemond”—7:39...
(1995) - Lesbian ShowLesbian ShowLesbian Show is the fourth album by the Greek metal band Nightfall.-Track listing:# "Lesbian Show" - 3:04# "Aenaon - 4:31# "Dead Woman, Adieu - 3:47# "The Secret Admirer - 5:12# "My Own Troy - 4:05# "The Fleshmaker - 5:34# "Death Star - 3:26...
(1997) - Diva FuturaDiva Futura (Nightfall album)Diva Futura is the fifth studio album by the Greek metal band Nightfall.-Track listing:# "Master, Faster, Sweet Desaster"# "Sin"# "The Sheer Misfit"# "Diva"# "Licked One's Iced Lips"# "Picture Me"# "Some Deaths Take For Ever"# "Lowve"...
(1999) - I Am JesusI Am JesusI Am Jesus is the sixth studio album by the Greek metal band Nightfall, released in 2003 on Black Lotus. The songs were mostly written & arranged by bassist/vocalist Efthimis Karadimas, with the exception of four songs, which were co-written with guitarist Mike Galiatsos, who ironically exited the...
(2003) - Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing PunishmentsLyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing PunishmentsLyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments is the seventh album by the Greek metal band Nightfall.-Track listing:# "Dark Red Sky" - 3:28# "Swollen" - 3:12# "Christless" - 3:46# "Master of My Dreams" - 3:39# "The Perfect Lie" - 3:59...
(2005) - Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants (2010)