CoC : Nightfall - I Am Jesus : Review

Nightfall - _I Am Jesus_
(Black Lotus, 2003)
by: Pedro Azevedo (6 out of 10)

Back in 1995 I discovered Nightfall's _Athenian Echoes_, at the time a reasonably innovative blackened metal album with symphonic leanings. Not having followed the band's outings closely ever since, I was curious to find out what these Greeks were up to after such a long gap. These days Nightfall play what some might call dark metal -- in the sense that the music remains mostly melodic, chorus based, mid-paced and atmospheric. The album sometimes fleetingly evokes the spirit of such diverse bands as Samael, Tiamat, Rotting Christ and, of course, Nightfall as they all were back in the mid-nineties. _I Am Jesus_ simultaneously tries to sound up to date, though; the Tico-Tico production goes a long way to achieving this, as the Finnish studio provides Nightfall with a clear and strong -- albeit generic -- sound that suits their style very well. Considering that they managed to impress me somewhat back in 1995 they are now a band with a ten year career. I expected Nightfall to be able to provide at least some decent metallic entertainment anno 2003 -- unless something had gone seriously wrong along the way. Ultimately however, _I Am Jesus_ is neither here nor there; it's not some pathetic display of decadence from a band that once showed promise, but it's not the grand realization of some vast potential they might have either. The doomier tracks tend to work better, but the more upbeat ones are a very mixed bag. _I Am Jesus_ remains a competent, albeit rather tame and inoffensive album that brings back some memories of the good old days but never threatens to overshadow them with its own quality.

Contact: http://www.nightfallstar.com

(article published 28/8/2003)

ALBUMS
12/8/2010	M Dolson	9	Nightfall - Astron Black and the Thirty Tyrants