Nitefall was a heavy/doom metal band from Cleveland, OH, USA. They were formed in 1990 after the band Severe Warning folded. The style and name of the band were inspired by the Candlemass album, 'Nightfall'.
RED MOON RISING (2009) STORMSPELL RECORDS
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Line-up: Rocky DiCarlo - Bass David Fox - Drums Mike "Ace the Raven" Kotarski - Guitar, Vocals
Songs 1-4 taken from the 'Black Tomorrow' demo, 190 Songs 5-8 taken from the 'Waiting For Darkness' demo, 1991 Songs 9-12 taken from the 'Journey Into Terror' demo, 1992 |
StormSpell Records are really making their best to dig up some nearly forgotten gems from the underground metal scene. Nitefall are but one of the bands I've learned about after they remastered all their demos, and reissued them on this compilation CD in 2009.
This band took the sound of Sweden's doom masters, Candlemass (the very band that inspired the name Nitefall also), and mixed it up with their local US power metal style. All 3 members of Nitefall used to be in the power/speed metal band, Severe Warning. But for their newest adventure, they slowed it down a bit, and upped the musicality instead. 3 demos were leased during a 2-3 year period. And although the band played several locals gigs, even opening for the aforementioned Candlemass, they never ventured past the Cleveland underground metal scene. But thanks to StromSpell Records all 3 demos are now available on CD, with remastered sound. So if you are a fan of epic US metal, with raw and razor sharp guitar riffing, a thunderous rhythm section, and charming clean vocals, then 'Red Moon Rising' is for you. The demos are put here chronologically, so you can follow the bands progression from beginning to end. I personally favor the second demo. Here Nitefall speeds up the tempo a bit again, delivering some killer soloing, and more versatile songwriting. The song "Don't Break The Seal" should have been enough to land the band a record deal. But we all know how popular metal was with the recording companies during the early to mid 90's. "Desert Of Ice" is another choice cut, with it's up-tempo riffs, yet heavy Candlemass doom influence. I also like how well all the band members elements blend together. It's evident that these guys knew each other well, musically, and had been playing together for years.
'Red Mon Rising' s certainly not for the average classic metal lover. But if you never get tired of discovering never before heard underground gems, then Nitefall can be something for you.
Killer tracks: Die For Destiny, Don't Break The Seal, Desert Of Ice, Red Moon Rising, Time Warp