Nightfall - Ukrainian Gothic Portal - Interview with Nightfall gothic metal band - Interviews with gothic / industrial / independant bands

Nightfall interview [ via internet by Grigoriy 'Tyrant' Sitenko]

[Details : Interview was made via e-mail. Efthimis Karadimas of Nighfall is answering questions. Style of writting is kept.]

Info : Nightfall is one of the most original gothic metal bands on wolrd's scene...

Official page : http://www.listen.to/nightfall

Tyrant : First of all I want to ask you about the current state of affairs of the band. Not much has been heard from Nightfall since you left Holy records, so tell our readers a bit what were you doing all this time. Did you find a new label? How soon can we expect a new album?

Nightfall : Actually it is only a couple of months we are free. It took us about one and a half year to manage splitting ways with Holy recs. All that painful time needs a lot of work to recover, and this is what are we doing these very days. Currently we are working on our next album, most probably named “I Am Jesus”. More details about the label, dates, etc will follow shortly.

Tyrant : And one more question concerning the actual developments, why did you left Holy, it seemed that this label has done really much for you and you probably did much for them, so it was a very fruitful cooperation, what happened that you changed you mind about Holy?

Nightfall : If you had the chance to read the last contract we signed with Holy recs after the release of Lesbian Show, and compare its clauses with real events took place later, you’d understand how miserable the gap was in between. Such policy had shaken our, quite good until that stage I have to admit, relationship. Nevertheless, one way or another it is a pity case even to remember.

Tyrant : And now some traditional questions we always ask to the bands and maybe the artists are bored to death with them, but anyway, we have to do this job. So why did you decide to form a band? Did you want only to have fun or you had a dream of becoming the monsters of rock?

Nightfall : We only wanted to express our selves via that way; we wanted, and still do, to take poison reality feeds us everyday out of our veins. Just that. No super dreams here I am afraid!

Tyrant : Why did you choose the name NIGHTFALL? Has it some kind of message in it or this is just a word, which sounds nice?

Nightfall : Firstly, it is symbolic: the moment of change; secondly, it is one of the most beautiful moments in reality, isn’t it?

Tyrant : What were your main influences in music and also in the art, particularly in literature and cinema? Did they change during your career? Do you still listen to and respect the same bands as you did decade ago?

Nighfall : I respect all artists no matter I like what they are doing or not! I still like some of the things I used to be into some ten years ago let’s say, yet I adore changes in my life. Hence, I am dying to touching, meeting, learning, etc new things (to me) everyday. It is a philosophy of life one can say. I think it is very miserable to stay exactly the same as years gone by, and the history of human race up to now proves my words are right!

Tyrant : Do you consider yourself a part of metal or gothic scene nowadays? You’ve been on stage for almost a decade now, what major changes have you noticed between what was than and what is now?

Nightfall :Hm, honestly it is not my job coming up with labels about Nightfall music. You can call it whatever you like, we don’t mind. Nonetheless, what I have noticed regarding the scene of then and now is that these days there are too many bands around, lotsa releases every month, numerous mags and webmags, and in between few confused fans who don’t know what to believe and what not to…Difficult times these are!

Tyrant : What is your attitude towards gothic scene and gothic culture in general? Has it influenced you somehow?

Nightfall :Of course it has influenced us, up to one point though! See, we dislike theidea of becoming parts of any sort of groups (social, music, etc) outathere. Individuality is of the greatest essence for us all.

Tyrant : You seem to be the world best-known Greek metal-band and perhaps the most known Greek artist on international rock-scene, now tell us a few words about Greek metal and Goth scene. How does it develop? Do you feel like being the milestone of Greek rock-scene? And besides what do you think of such Greek acts as SEPTIC FLESH and EXHUMATION, your former Holy compatriots, what kind of relationships do you have with them?

Nightfall :Thank you for your kind words. As I told you previously Grigoriy, our aim is purely artistic. So, kindly allow me not to comment on our popularity whatsoever. Regarding the other two bands, both are out of Holy as well (actually Exhumation split up some time ago, whilst Septic are searching for a new label).

Tyrant : Tell us a bit more about your native country Greece, the national customs and habits, which which you personally follow, if there are any. Do you have a national hero?

Well, I am proud of our ancestors achievements, however I believe that these ones belong to the entire humanity and not solely to Greek people! As you can understand I do consider my self as a citizen of the world!

Tyrant : You went through some changes in style, not so radical as some other bands did, but anyway some hardliners do not consider “Diva futura” to be a metal album, what do you think of it? And what musical area is going to be explored next by the band? Will it be alternative, gothic, electronic or you gonna return back to your metal, even black-metal, I would say, roots?

Nightfall : Well, from the stuff we are rehearsing/arranging currently I can say next album will be melodic with kinda depressed atmospheres and gothic-like poetry… Heavy, yes – fast (ala the “old black metal days” as you say), no!

Tyrant : I know that generally speaking your attitude towards change in musical style is positive, so, please, comment on progress done by these bands during last years: TIAMAT, PARADISE LOST, ANATHEMA, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY (“Musique” album), SEPTIC FLESH.

Nightfall : Please, don’t try to put me in a journalist’s position. I am not good at that – sorry!

Tyrant : Please, compare your albums “Parade into centuries”, “Athenian echoes”, “Lesbian show” and “Diva futura”, what are you proud of in these albums and what would you like to change if you could?

Nightfall :We did the best we could do at the certain time each of those albums were prepared, so no complaint. Actually, we are both proud and satisfied!

Tyrant : What is every member of the band responsible for? I mean is all the music and lyrics written by one man or the work is done collectively? How do you work in studio?

Nightfall : Frankly speaking, there is no room for democracy in a band. All members work freely in various tasks, but always the sole responsible for the final result is one man, as well as for all details here and there (and let’s not forget that the detail makes the difference).

Tyrant : You have very emotional and powerful lyrics, what inspires you most? And one more thing, how it is to write lyrics in English for a man from a non-English speaking society?

Nightfall : Inspiration is all over around us. I have found a formula to catch her and turn it into words and sounds. Writing in English is not a big deal for me, as I use this language for many years, so…

Tyrant : Love, passion and hate are what most of your songs are dedicated to (at least on last albums), so I want to ask you what is your vision of love? Is it the same as pure passion? And what is your vision of pain? Do you agree that pain can also bring pleasure?

Nightfall : Everything is related in this world. I like to place my self, my ego, between the edges, the extremities. It is like a roller coaster, one moment silence the other excitement. Of course pleasure is hidden everywhere in our lives, and all of us looking forward to tasting it one way or another. It is a big deal to live a life full of pleasure, isn’t it?

Tyrant : You are said to have very emotional and theatrical shows while playing live, how do you feel on stage before the crowd of fans? Is it really inspiring? And besides who is that girl performing on stage with you?

Nightfall : A pleasant nervousness is always on the agenda and that is the best of all. Otherwise, each gig would be a boring show, a routine…

Tyrant : Tell us the maddest thing ever to happen with you during the concert?

Nightfall : Funny things happen when we are absolutely drank. And when absolutely drank we don’t remember a bloody thing after wards… shit.

Tyrant : Efthimis, I’ve read some of your articles on NIGHTFALL site, and I must admit I’m impressed. Tell us, please, about your vision of life and what is god for you. Do you share the idea that everyone should be a self-made god for himself ?

EfthimisNew.jpg (6162 bytes) Respect to individuality is a key element in our (social) life, and not only. If anyone wants to dive into my thoughts, please feel free to visit www.listen.to/nightfall It would be my honour, indeed!

Tyrant : What do women represent for you?

The greatest mystery man has ever been confronted with! I am totally into them, I must admit, no matter the consequences…

Tyrant : What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?

I am into people who dislike putting their minds/lives inside limits. Which means I love using my mind instead of believing everything just like that. Don’t have a certain motto, but I believe Respect is the key to everything referring to our lives, dreams, goals, etc.

Tyrant : Finally, we came to the last portion of questions, so called obligatorystuff.. What do you know about Ukraine?

Until 2015 your country will be part of the European Union (right after Poland does), which means you have a bright future ahead! Your GDP for 2000 was $ 31.7 billion and your politicians struggle to free nation from Russian influence! Ok, what I win now? ;-]

Tyrant : What can you say to the readers of Ukrainian Gothic Portal?

I wish we had the chance to play over there and meet you all.