French Metal Friday: Nightmare

French power metal band Nightmare formed in 1979. Originally the group was greatly influenced by the NWOBHM movement (their early sound coming off as a cross between Iron Maiden and Def Leppard) before morphing into the power metal that they are now known for. As one of the first French heavy metal bands to sing in English they ended up signing with Ebony Records (home at one point to Savage, Demon Eyes, Blade Runner and Grim Reaper) for their first two releases. Their big break came initially after opening for (then) NWOBHM rockers Def Leppard in 1983 at the Alpexpo of Grenoble. Playing for a crowd of well over 4,000 the group impressed fans with their brand of traditional heavy metal. Despite a built in fan base and two well-received albums the group was unable to hold things together. Done in by musical differences, problems with the record label and a changing landscape (traditional heavy metal was out and thrash was in) they folded in 1987. French metal bands (like their NWOBHM brothers) never seem to really die so in 1999 Nightmare was back in action. This time around though they were led by former drummer turned lead singer Jo Amorereb. The "Astral Deliverance" EP followed. It was released as a tribute to their late singer Jean-Marie Boix. At that point the music changed as well as the band gravitated toward a power metal sound. Since then the band has remained committed to putting French metal back on the map.