Two singles were released from Nightfall: "Samarithan" and "At the Gallows End". A music video was directed for the song "Bewitched" by Jonas Åkerlund. The album has been re-released in various formats and was followed up by Ancient Dreams in 1988.
After being dropped from Black Dragon Records due to the disappointing sales of their previous album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986), Candlemass became the first band signed to David Constable's British label Axis Records. Constable had decided to sign the band after being impressed with their demo tape for "Bewitched".
The group's line-up had changed since their previous studio recording. Jan Lindh had replaced drummer Mats Ekström who had left the group because he could not find enough time for rehearsals. Lead guitarist Lars Johansson had also joined the band. During a tour in 1987 with King Diamond, Johansson broke his arm and was temporariliy replaced by guitarist Mike Wead. The final new band member was vocalist Messiah Marcolin, who phoned Leif Edling to sing an a cappella version of "Solitude" as an audition.
Like the previous album, Nightfall was recorded at Thunderload Studios in Stockholm with Ragne Wahlquist as engineer. Wead's brief membership in Candlemass lead to him allegedly recording rhythm guitar, harmony and acoustic guitars and keyboards on the album, although the only thing that is confirmed by the band as his is the recording of his song "Black Candles". Marcolin's influence was strong and included the recording of the song "Marche Funèbre" on his suggestion, the band's choice of the album cover based on Thomas Cole's paintings "The Voyage of Life", and the title Nightfall, rejecting Edling's original title for the album Gothic Stone. The song "Samarithan" was originally written during the recording sessions for Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, but was rejected by former group member Mats Ekström.
After completing the sessions at Thunderload, which lasted from July to September 1987, the recordings were mixed by Mats Lindfors at Stockholm Recording Studio.
Nightfall was released on 9 November 1987 by Axis Records on vinyl and compact disc. In 1988, the album was released in the USA by Metal Blade Records. Two singles were released from Nightfall in 1988. The first was for "Samarithan" which was released on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl. Music for Nations and Metal Blade Records released "At the Gallows End" as a 12-inch single in 1988.
A music video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund for the song "Bewitched" in 1988. "Bewitched" was the first music video by Åkerlund, who was previously a member of the Swedish black metal group Bathory. Åkerlund would go on to make music videos for other Swedish bands like Whale and Roxette, as well as international musicians such as Metallica, U2 and Lady Gaga. The music video is known for the appearance of Per Yngve "Dead" Ohlin, known as the lead singer of Morbid and more famously of Mayhem.
In the 2000s, the album was re-released in Sweden by Powerline Records, including demo tracks, live versions of songs and a music video for the song "Bewitched". In 2007, the album was re-issued by Peaceville Records with similar bonus tracks.
All music and lyrics by Leif Edling, except "Black Candles" by Mike Wead and "Marche Funebre" written by Frédéric Chopin in 1837 as part of his Piano Sonata No. 2 in B♭ minor, Op. 35, popularly known as The Funeral March.
Wead was briefly a full member of the band, but left during the recordings due to disagreements over his playing style. Lars Johansson did play on the album too, but much of Wead's playing remained on the final product, though uncredited..
A video was made for ''Bewitched'', directed by Jonas Åkerlund. Dead of Mayhem appears in this video. Lyrically, "Bewitched" is a re-imagining of the ancient German legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
The original title for the album was Gothic Stone, but Marcolin rejected Edling's idea and conviced the band to use the title Nightfall instead. Marcolin is also responsible for the choice of the cover of the album, which is the "Old Age" portion of the series of paintings called The Voyage of Life (1842) by Thomas Cole.
"The Well of Souls" is inspired by the Well of the Souls, a secret chamber located inside the ancient city of Tanis, appearing in the 1981 Indiana Jones movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Recorded at Thunderload Studios between July-September, 1987.
Mixed at Stockholm Recording Studios in September 1987.
Produced by Candlemass.
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