[IMGLEFT]http://www.russell.ultimatemetal.com/Interview/nightfallfront.jpg[/IMGLEFT]By Jason Jordan
Greece, as with most other countries, has a select amount of idiosyncratic traits that others know it by. In recent years, Greek cuisine has spread rampantly across all lands and everyone knows that said country has a penchant for hosting Olympic events. With all things recognizably Greek are the band Nightfall, whose albums are rapidly climbing the list of Greeces chief exports.
Nightfalls thirteen-year existence is a testament to the bands diligent, work ethic. Amazingly, as I would learn from George Bokos (lead guitar), we were the first Greek band to release an official album on a foreign label. The album Bokos refers to is 1992s Parade into Centuries, which debuted on Frances Holy Records. Moreover, he continues, we were the first Greek band to release stuff on CD format. The musicians trudged on, and continued to release critically acclaimed records. After excursions such as 1997s oddly titled Lesbian Show and 2003s debut outing with Black Lotus Records in I Am Jesus, the group solidified for 2004s Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments. As with any new release, feedback began to roll into the Nightfall camp. The first reactions were very good, maybe because it is more aggressive than I Am Jesus or Diva Futura [1999], the guitarist says. Havent seen any negative yet, but who cares after all? Bokos explicates further, we give our best each album, and we are happy if people like the way we play.
Similarly, Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments was coined strategically. Efthimis [Karadimas, vocals] is the one who writes the lyrics and comes up with the album titles, and we started working on the new album a couple of months after the 'I Am Jesus' release, he states, Efthimis is also the one who brings the basic idea of composition and then we all work together on the arrangements of the songs. Clearly, though, there is no overt mastermind pulling the strings behind Nightfalls happenings; the group is a cohesive unit that is ultimately benevolent in motive. The result of this hard work is that Lyssa is an album full of rage and agony, but, we had it in mind to create a soundtrack for every metalhead. From the whimsical mutterings of the opener Dark Red Sky for which Bokos insists there is no meaning to the aggressive antagonism displayed on Christless, the band have evidently intended this to be enjoyed by metalheads worldwide.
Its not simply about the music, though. Numerous themes abound throughout Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments, and many may readily notice the inclusion of religious topics within the bands catalog. The titles I Am Jesus and Christless have very close meanings, Bokos says. It is very interesting to observe the reactions of the masses towards him and his so-called theories, he explains, we have all become computers of sort: programmed to think certain things, to dream certain dreams, and to act in specific ways. With a lyric in place like I dont believe Jesus Christ, its no surprise that Christless is another provocative song title. It is even more interesting to see that the Christian religion is structured to have room even for its enemies! Many black metallers and purveyors of other genres share the same sentiments as Bokos. But, the quintets latest LP has other meaningful factors. Not surprisingly, Lyssa is a Greek word and means rage. Bokos chases the former statement with, Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments is about the need most human beings have to believe in gods; [theyre] supreme, divine characters who communicate with the masses via their representatives (popes, priests, and other religious leaders) whose role is to give guidelines and punish whomever doesnt follow. Pathetic. Another strong paradigm is conveyed in The Perfect Li(f)e, in which Efthimis as confessed by Bokos relays his discomfort with the expansion of Athens.
Unfortunately, grandiose tour plans dont seem to be in Nightfalls deck of cards, at least this time. We will start giving gigs in April in Greece. We want to come and give gigs all over the States, if the promoters are interesting in bringing us. That would be just great for us! Bokos has an obvious dilemma in choosing his favorite song to perform live, however: Hmm Dark Red Sky, Swollen, Christless. Maybe all the record, heh heh. Finally, I picked Bokoss brain regarding his favorite album of 2004. Without debate, Bloodbaths Nightmares Made Flesh. Unbelievable death metal piece! And, so, the interview came to a fitting end with a member of Nightfall citing a death metal masterpiece. Most assuredly, Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments has the ability to impact metalheads in much the same way.
Ultimatemetals review of Nightfalls Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments
Official Nightfall website
Official Black Lotus Records website
Greece, as with most other countries, has a select amount of idiosyncratic traits that others know it by. In recent years, Greek cuisine has spread rampantly across all lands and everyone knows that said country has a penchant for hosting Olympic events. With all things recognizably Greek are the band Nightfall, whose albums are rapidly climbing the list of Greeces chief exports.
Nightfalls thirteen-year existence is a testament to the bands diligent, work ethic. Amazingly, as I would learn from George Bokos (lead guitar), we were the first Greek band to release an official album on a foreign label. The album Bokos refers to is 1992s Parade into Centuries, which debuted on Frances Holy Records. Moreover, he continues, we were the first Greek band to release stuff on CD format. The musicians trudged on, and continued to release critically acclaimed records. After excursions such as 1997s oddly titled Lesbian Show and 2003s debut outing with Black Lotus Records in I Am Jesus, the group solidified for 2004s Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments. As with any new release, feedback began to roll into the Nightfall camp. The first reactions were very good, maybe because it is more aggressive than I Am Jesus or Diva Futura [1999], the guitarist says. Havent seen any negative yet, but who cares after all? Bokos explicates further, we give our best each album, and we are happy if people like the way we play.
Similarly, Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments was coined strategically. Efthimis [Karadimas, vocals] is the one who writes the lyrics and comes up with the album titles, and we started working on the new album a couple of months after the 'I Am Jesus' release, he states, Efthimis is also the one who brings the basic idea of composition and then we all work together on the arrangements of the songs. Clearly, though, there is no overt mastermind pulling the strings behind Nightfalls happenings; the group is a cohesive unit that is ultimately benevolent in motive. The result of this hard work is that Lyssa is an album full of rage and agony, but, we had it in mind to create a soundtrack for every metalhead. From the whimsical mutterings of the opener Dark Red Sky for which Bokos insists there is no meaning to the aggressive antagonism displayed on Christless, the band have evidently intended this to be enjoyed by metalheads worldwide.
Its not simply about the music, though. Numerous themes abound throughout Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments, and many may readily notice the inclusion of religious topics within the bands catalog. The titles I Am Jesus and Christless have very close meanings, Bokos says. It is very interesting to observe the reactions of the masses towards him and his so-called theories, he explains, we have all become computers of sort: programmed to think certain things, to dream certain dreams, and to act in specific ways. With a lyric in place like I dont believe Jesus Christ, its no surprise that Christless is another provocative song title. It is even more interesting to see that the Christian religion is structured to have room even for its enemies! Many black metallers and purveyors of other genres share the same sentiments as Bokos. But, the quintets latest LP has other meaningful factors. Not surprisingly, Lyssa is a Greek word and means rage. Bokos chases the former statement with, Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments is about the need most human beings have to believe in gods; [theyre] supreme, divine characters who communicate with the masses via their representatives (popes, priests, and other religious leaders) whose role is to give guidelines and punish whomever doesnt follow. Pathetic. Another strong paradigm is conveyed in The Perfect Li(f)e, in which Efthimis as confessed by Bokos relays his discomfort with the expansion of Athens.
Unfortunately, grandiose tour plans dont seem to be in Nightfalls deck of cards, at least this time. We will start giving gigs in April in Greece. We want to come and give gigs all over the States, if the promoters are interesting in bringing us. That would be just great for us! Bokos has an obvious dilemma in choosing his favorite song to perform live, however: Hmm Dark Red Sky, Swollen, Christless. Maybe all the record, heh heh. Finally, I picked Bokoss brain regarding his favorite album of 2004. Without debate, Bloodbaths Nightmares Made Flesh. Unbelievable death metal piece! And, so, the interview came to a fitting end with a member of Nightfall citing a death metal masterpiece. Most assuredly, Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments has the ability to impact metalheads in much the same way.
Ultimatemetals review of Nightfalls Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments
Official Nightfall website
Official Black Lotus Records website
