Nightfall (band)
| Company type | Extreme metal band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 in Athens, Greece |
| Founder | Efthimis Karadimas |
| Fate | Active |
| Headquarters | Athens , Greece |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Efthimis Karadimas (vocalist, bassist, keyboardist) |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Parent | Season of Mist (label) |
Nightfall is an extreme metal ensemble originating from Athens, Greece, formed in 1991 by vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist Efthimis Karadimas. Presently affiliated with Season of Mist, they are acknowledged as trailblazers of a distinctive "Mediterranean black metal" style, alongside groups such as Inchiuvatu and Moonspell.
History
Founded in 1991 by Efthimis Karadimas, Nightfall quickly recorded the demo Vanity, which caught the attention of the French label Holy Records. This partnership led to their debut album Parade into Centuries in 1992, which played a pivotal role in encouraging French labels to promote Greek metal acts. Throughout the 1990s, Nightfall remained signed with Holy Records, releasing a series of albums including Macabre Sunsets (1994), Athenian Echoes (1995), Lesbian Show (1997), and Diva Futura (1999), all supported by tours across Europe. Despite numerous changes in personnel, Karadimas served as the band's constant driving force. Key members during this era included guitarists Chris Adamou, Costas Savvidis, Jim Agelopoulos, Phil Anton, and keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis. Drummer Mark Cross and guitarist Mike Galiatsos also featured during this period; both later joined the Greek power metal outfit Firewind.
In the early 2000s, Nightfall altered their musical direction and signed with the Greek label Black Lotus Records, releasing I Am Jesus (2003) and Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments (2005). Guitarist George Bokos contributed to Lyssa before moving on to fellow Greek band Rotting Christ. Drummer George Kollias replaced Cross and performed on both albums before joining the American death metal group Nile. The band halted live performances in 2005.
Although no formal disbandment was declared, Nightfall reassembled around 2010 after Karadimas connected with American guitarist Evan Hensley. German drummer and producer Jörg Uken joined this renewed lineup, which secured a contract with American label Metal Blade Records. Their 2010 release, Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants, garnered positive reviews and featured cover art by acclaimed American artist Travis Smith. In 2011, guitarist Constantine and bassist Stathis Ridis were added to complete the group.
After releasing the 2013 album Cassiopeia, Nightfall entered a period of inactivity. In June 2020, they announced their return to live shows. The current roster includes founding member Karadimas; returning guitarists Mike Galiatsos and Kostas Kyriakopoulos; and drummer Fotis Benardo from Septicflesh.
In July 2020, Nightfall signed with French label Season of Mist and commenced work on a new album planned for early 2021. Season of Mist also acquired distribution rights for Nightfall’s entire catalog previously released under Holy Records. On March 5, 2021, they released the album At Night We Prey.
Members
- Current members
- Efthimis Karadimas - vocals (1991–present), keyboards (1991-1992, 1999–2004, 2020–present), bass (1991-1999, 2002–2004, 2005–2010, 2020–2021)
- Kostas Kyriakopoulos - guitars (2020–present), bass (2004–2005, 2020–2021)
- Fotis Benardo - drums (2020–present)
- Vasiliki Biza - bass (2021–present)
- Former members
- Chris Adamou - guitars (1991–1995)
- Costas Savidis - drums (1991–1995)
- Mike Galiatsos - guitars (1991–1999, 2020–2022)
- George Aspiotis - keyboards, piano, effects (1992–1999)
- Jim Agelopoulos - guitars (1996-1997)
- Phil Anton - guitars (1998–2000, died 2023)
- Bob Katsionis - guitar, keyboards (1999–2005)
- Marc McKnight - bass (1999–2002)
- Mark Cross - drums (1999-2000)
- George Kollias - drums (2000–2005)
- George Bokos - guitar (2002–2005)
- Fotis Anagnostou - bass (1999, died 2021)
- Nikos Papadopoulos - bass (2010-2011)
- Evan Hensley - guitars (2009–2020)
- Constantine - guitars (2011–2020)
- Stathis Ridis - bass (2011–2020)
- Stathis Kassios - keyboards (2004–2020)
- Jörg Uken - drums (2009–2020)
Albums
- Parade into Centuries (1992)
- Macabre Sunsets (1994)
- Eons Aura EP (1995)
- Athenian Echoes (1995)
- Lesbian Show (1997)
- Electronegative (1999)
- Diva Futura (1999)
- I Am Jesus (2003)
- Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments (2004)
- Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants (2010)
- Cassiopeia (2013)
- At Night We Prey (2021)
- Children of Eve (2025)