Greetings, Efthimis! Any latest news from NIGHTFALL? May I wonder
when will we able to get acquainted with the CD subsequent to "Lesbian Show"?

- “Diva Futura” will be out late April ‘99. Meanwhile, “Electronegative”, a four-track release, is already out. This maxi single can give you a general idea on how Diva Futura will sound like.

How was the response to your latest CD? It seems like you're considered to be the "favorites" among the ones signed to Holy Records?

- It has been very good indeed. We've been with Holy Rec. since the very beginning so we have built a strong and efficient relationship together. One supports the other excellently and that's reflected on both sales' figures and reputation.

Once I read an interview with NIGHTFALL in Ukraine's Shism 'zine, and it's introduction really awoke my interest in it due to the following phrase: "… I think that now they got a new deal and continue to develope their theories of “the loss of love” and “fall of the gods”…" Can you explain me the meaning of above-cited definitions?

- Actually it is not quite a "theory". Our lyrics are greatly influenced by an egotistic attitude to say so about life, so does our attitude. Thus any divine laws, principles, or authority is forlorn. We've always disliked "messiahs" and their numerous, indeed followers. We strongly stand for sovereignty in life, moreover as individuals try to gain wisdom through as many as possible experiences and search. We clearly understand the catalytic role of religions throughout man's history, moreover we thank “them” for keeping the so many uneducated and narrow minded people low. Yet, we have decided to search for our own truth ourselves; if it is to be “crucified” or “falling down from the greatest skies” let it be for our own sins at last! The “loss of love” that mate mentioned is probably his personal outcome once he read our lyrics. I like that. We do like to inspire people with what we do really. Afterall, as a band we get inspiration from a plethora of things around us -or within us if you like- turn them into weird creations of words and music, and, in the end we do inspire others… As long such a chain is maintained, life means something to us.

Lately I've been listening to "Parade Into Centuries" once again and discovered one fact that truly surprised me… it goes for the drum-machine featured on that CD. Why so? Wasn't Costas able to play drums properly or what?

- Drum machine? No! “Parade Into Centuries” drum lines are so obviously performed on real time that you can even listen to the lotsa different dynamics and even style of playing throughout the album. That was due to the recording budget was small back then so we had to record in strange hours, which was really annoying for us all. However, we used many effects in the next album's drums; “Macabre Sunsets” has had really weird sounded drums, on purpose. We wanted to create a certain extreme yet futuristic atmosphere at that time. The outcome sounds weird even nowadays!

Once you said that you usually rehearse twice or even thrice a week… Do you consider rehearsals to be an important aspect of your work with NIGHTFALL? And if so, do you have any time left for the 'usual' (hmm…) life of yours, like job for example…?

- We use to rehearse more time nowadays, especially when a special event is about to take place; recordings, and tours need a lot of “home-work” indeed! NIGHTFALL is our job. However, whenever we are off duty we come up with a bunch of other things related to music. No time to rest.

As far as I know, a long time ago (somewhere in 1993, I believe?) you had a gig with PARADISE LOST… If getting back in time, we may recall your highly positive impressions of that show, however… what is your view on this band now, in the year of 1999?

- The guys are doing really well. As far as I know they do have a new deal with EMI now, which is cool! We have played with them a couple of times more since 1993. It's always nice to do so really.

“Athenian Echoes” was firstly scheduled for release as “Megadrama”, therefore may I display my interest in the reason which roused you to change the CD's title?

- The original title has always been “Macabre Sunsets”. Holy used the word “Megadrama” strictly for promotional reasons.

While “Parade Of Centuries” stood quite close to the genre of ‘death metal’ and “Eons Aura” appeared as more harmonic stuff when it comes to melodies, “Lesbian Show” looks like rather ‘mild’ and ‘tranquil’ CD in comparison to your former efforts… lacking brutality that used to be there before… I hope it doesn't mean that soon we'll have a new “Paradise Lost” out of NIGHTFALL…? Moreover, I believe that you're not going to lull me to sleep with statements regarding that ‘musical progress’ thing…?

- Well, that “musical progress” thing you mention is something that does exist, no doubt about it! Yet, its meaning vary according to individual tastes! Sorry, but “Lesbian Show” sounds in our ears much heavier than anything we did in the past! Moreover, since we are a band that has never followed any trends in the market nor any producers' guidelines (Jan is co-producer) and stuff so far, we are strict and absolute concerning our career's stages! All our releases are based upon our emotions, our own beliefs; I can assure you that if we feel like becoming more brutal or more melodic or even “lighter” in the future we'll certainly do! Since it is NIGHTFALL, really, we are proud of it! Nevertheless, since you like to know more about the real reasons behind a band's career I have to tell you only a thing: be afraid, really afraid of all those “idealistic” musicians who release one album identical to other through the years… they know marketing principles very well!

What was the reason for moving so far away from your motherland, to cold, snowy Finland, in order to have "Lesbian Show" recorded at Tico Tico? Are you satisfied with the way Ahti worked with your band?

- Tico Tico is by far better than any studio here in Greece, and Ahti is fucking great.

“Parade Into Centuries”, “Macabre Sunsets”, “Eons Aura”, “Athenian Echoes”, “Lesbian Show”… What is the principal meaning behind those titles? B.t.w., it looks like you're deeply into transcendental and mystic side of things…?

- Yes, you are quite right and I'm glad for that because it seems that you pay some attention to the lyrics too. For me it is the lyrics that lead the song and then the music; we are a bunch of artists drowned into passions, and as we all do know well… passions lead to death.

“We've never used any producer for our songs - and never won't! - due to there isn't anybody around who thinks, feels, lives the same way as we do” - this is one of your assertions taken from Holocaust mag's interview taken by Tomasz Krajewski back in 1995… Did your view on that subject endure any kind of changes since then?

- Oh yes. We worked with Jan P. Genkel for “Diva Futura” and “Electronegative”. However, his help was limited to co-production responsibilities and not to production. The difference between those two words is pretty big indeed. Nevertheless, in case we meet a person in the future that he's thinking the same way we do, moreover he seems to be into our art deeply,  fuck yes, we'll invite him in the studio! A guy like this might be Jan in the future; we have a lot of things in common with him. The way he faces things, the way he thinks, his mentality to say so is so identical to ours that sometimes terrifies us.

Hellenistic culture always was the dominating one in the Ancient Europe - I bet, no one will dare to argue with me here… Just to recall Aristotel's "Poetica" or Sapho, the first one to compose ‘erotic’ verses, or Plutarkh, who invented the genre of biography… Finally, the Greeks were the ones to create theatre and various literary / theatrical genres, like tragedy, epos or comedy… as well as ode, elegy and prose… the oratory… The same goes for the Hellenistic mythology, one of the most developed, at least in comparison to Scandinavian tales, the ones seeming to be rather primitive and hidebound… Does any of the aforementioned topics inspire your creative self…?

- Of course! Since I read my ancestors' books; since I philosophizing under the same sky; since I have the same blood running in my veins it is obvious that I'm inspired by them! We are them in a way! Yet, this is too personal to be used as a waving flag that will bring more fans to our band, isn't it?! I can't stand all those stupid ones who try to present themselves as the “real” warriors and other bullshit. Some things we owe to keep locked within us forever.

Am I wrong assuming that metaphor appears as one of your main means of self-expression?

- No, you are not.

Are going to use Greek language while writing the verses of yours further?

- Perhaps. It won't be on purpose though!

If I'm not mistaken, you're an advocate of multi-dimensional theory of human decline… Can you explain further?

- I'm afraid you are wrong.

One more band collaborating with Holy Recs, SEPTIC FLESH, has been often compared to you - and, actually, I can't even fancy why… What do you think of Spiros and co. and their way in music, as well as such term as "comparison", often being used in metal mass-media…?

- Many people do compare them with NIGHTFALL, yet none has ever been doing the opposite. Therefore, I think it'd be much better and more fair asking them about that. They are cool guys anyway.

Do you know anything regarding Russia, or, perhaps, you've even heard certain bands coming from my native land?

- I know almost nothing. To be honest, I used to know a couple of bands and zines but some much time a go.

That's all, Efthimis! Your final words…

- Thank you... It was a nice interview indeed!

NIGHTFALL contact -
Email: nightfallstar@usa.net
Http://www.iki.fi/mega/Nightfall