Nightwolf


Thessaloniki (Central Macedonia)
Heavy Metal
Active:
1995-1999

Originally founded by vocalist Spiros Manatos and later joined by Alex Sidiropoulos (guitars), Panos Papadopoulos (guitars), Peter Apotsos (bass) and Theodore Hitiris (drums), NIGHTWOLF played high-class Hellenic heavy metal built on a steady basis of IRON MAIDEN/JUDAS PRIEST to which was added elements of 1980s Euro-power/speed metal in the vein of ACCEPT, HELLOWEEN, RUNNING WILD, etc. Despite receiving overwhelmingly positive response for their eponymous demo tape in 1996, the band folded in the late-1990s.

Compilation appearances:

d i s c o g r a p h y :

Nightwolf - Demo (Cassette) 1996 - Private (-)
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Details: Single-sided regular cassette, coloured j-card.

Reissues:
TRACKLIST:
Nightwolf
Beware of the Beast
The Lost Soldier
Face Your Fear
The Second Coming
LINE-UP:
Spyros Manatos (vocals)
Alex Sidiropoulos (guitars)
Panos Papadopoulos (guitars)
Peter Apotsos (bass)
Theodore Hitiris (drums)
NIGHTWOLF’s eponymous demo tape serves as yet another poignant example of the strength and vitality of the Greek underground during what many consider the “dark ages” of heavy metal. We’re dealing with classic European heavy/power/speed metal, like a cross between IRON MAIDEN and early HELLOWEEN. The songwriting is kept at thoroughly high level and the production contains just enough rawness to give the music a sense of grit despite its melodic character.

Blazing leads, prominent bass-lines and elegant parallel harmonies are balanced against streams of palm-muted power chords and swift double-pedal drumming – over which soars the Blaze Bayley -like vocals of Spyros Manatos. In fact, there are moments throughout the demo which remind of contemporary IRON MAIDEN (the more energetic material of “The X-factor” in particular). Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on the listener, but I find it very likeable.

Written by Johan Pettersson





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