According to their press materials, Nightfall is a cult Greek band with a storied career. Main man Efthimis Karadimas has kept the group going since 1991 and has rounded out his lineup over the years with the likes of George Kollias, now drumming in Nile, as well as members of Rotting Christ, Firewind, and Helloween.

Nightfall’s sound is like black metal with a gothic feel, intertwined with some classic heavy metal. The opening song “Astron Black” is a great introduction to the band, as it is quite heavy and demonic, yet laced with melody, backing keyboards, and fun riffs.

Unfortunately that one song sums up the whole album. Some songs are heavier, others more epic, but they all generally stay within the same formula. In certain frames of mind the whole album goes over smoothly and in others I find myself skipping multiple tracks.

Karadimas’ screamed vocals are excellent, but some of his clean stuff made me cringe (such as on “Astra Planeta / We Chose the Sun”). The lead guitar work on several tracks deserves high praise, but it’s often coupled with dated and basic rhythm riffing.

I feel as though Nightfall probably take on a world of meaning for their hardcore fan base, as many bands with long histories and deep local roots do. Unfortunately I don’t have the background knowledge to appreciate them for more than I hear on Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants, and based on that I can only give them a half-hearted shrug of acceptance.

3.0/5