Founded in 1979, NIGHTMARE have become an integral part of the European metal scene over three decades and have been prolific with their album releases, while updating and evolving their sound.
They got rave reviews from their first concert supporting Def Leppard in March 1983, and their debut album “Waiting For The Twilight” was released the following year (1984), followed closely by “Power of the Universe” in 1985...
After a long hiatus, the band returned in force on the stage, bringing a much harsher sound. The E.P. “Astral Deliverance” was released in 1999 with former drummer Jo Amore taking on his new role as lead singer of the band, the drums being entrusted to his brother David. Over the next years, NIGHTMARE worked incredibly hard and prolifically continued to release albums. They performed at some of the biggest metal festivals like Wacken, Hellfest, 70000 Tons Of Metal, Gods Of Metal and opened for acts such as Sabaton, Saxon, Grave. Digger, Blind Guardian to name a few…
With the reputation of “The best export of heavy metal outside of France”, the album “The Burden Of God" was critically acclaimed in 2012, harmoniously combining the band's classic power metal roots with symphonic elements. Ending the collaboration with the two brothers, singer Jo Amore and drummer David after the release of “The Aftermath” in May 2014 marked the end of the first chapter.
NIGHTMARE came back stronger than ever with a drastic change to a female vocalist. In 2016, Maggy Luyten (Beautiful Sin, Beyond The Bridge, ex-Ayreon) took over vocal duties on the new album "Dead Sun". Having performed “Dead Sun” live in countries such as Egypt and much more during the following 3 years, in 2019, Maggy decided to move on.
The new singer Madie took over vocal duties for “Aeternam” which was released in 2020 before being replaced by powerhouse vocalist Barbara Mogore after 2 years. Barbara helped NIGHTMARE transcend into new dimensions and refine their sound. After concerts at Full Metal Holiday (Mallorca) in 2022, once again on the famous 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise in early 2023 and some other festivals as well as a full European tour with labelmates Rhapsody Of Fire, NIGHTMARE are now ready to unleash their brand new and twelfth studio album, “Encrypted”, with the brilliant voice of Barbara unto the world.
Encrypted is set to be released in June 2024 through AFM Records!
The band's continued desire and passion to take their music to the next level is still alive!
And as the band states…
“With the arrival of Barbara transcending NIGHTMARE in new dimensions, we have decided to move to new heights in terms of musical approach to make Encrypted our most ambitious album to date in terms of production, musical direction and achievement… You can find here some traditional power metal riffing in the trademark of NIGHTMARE but also extreme metal parts and some highlights even reaching melodic death metal… making Encrypted our most varied opus so far, beyond all boundaries and expectations…”
