interview with Alex, October 2005
Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
I’m Alex Hilbert, lead and rhythm guitar. I’m 27 and I joined Nightmare for the recording of Silent Room.
Wow, formed in 1979 and now releasing a new album. How does that feel?
It’s strange for me because when they formed the band I was only one year old!
26 years later Jo Amore (vocals) and Yves Campion (bass) are still here from the beginning. David Amore (Jo’s brother who learned drums when he was a kid on Jo’s drumkit) joined the band in 1999 , Jeannot Stripolli (guitars) left in 2002 (I arrived) Nico De Dominicis ( guitar) left just before the recording of Dominion Gate ( Franck Milleliri arrived). We are still in contact, Nightmare is more a family than a band.
You are possible the oldest metal band from France. Where comes the drive from?
There was a real metal scene in those days (80’s): Sortilege, Trust, Killers, Satan Jocker... But not many of them have survived. We still have the same pleasure in playing together and we love this music.
France is not a typical metal country but more of terrible drivers. How come?
Did you already drive in Italy?! In France nothing is done for metal : you don’t see it on tv and don’t hear it on the radio... But there are some really good bands now (Manigance, Anorexia Nervosa, Ellipsis, Lonewolf...)
You recorded the new album again in the Soundsuite Studio. Why this choice? Could you decide yourself the recording place?
We are in licence with Regain so we can record anywhere. The Dominion Gate is our 3rd recording with Terje and it’s a chance for us to work with him. Now we know each others very well and we have the same goal for Nightmare. I think this is our best work of the 3.
Where the recording sessions a real nightmare? Or do you have some funny anecdotes?
We always have silly computer problems, but for this recording it was almost easy... No, there was just a big fire next to the studio (south of France this summer) and a plane full of water crashed on the powerlines so there was no electricity in the whole town for a day... Terje’s cat walked on the cable and fucked up one afternoon of work because the safety didn’t work... I had a problem with my tuning machine and I had to record again all the rhythm tracks of seven songs in one afternoon and evening (it had taken 4 days to do it the first time...)... May be that’s why it sounds more “live”!
Guest appearances from After Forever and ex-Pretty Maids members. How came the contacts?
We were on tour with After Forever 2 years ago and we had such an incredible time! We saw each others after the tour and we asked them to come in the studio. They were happy ... It was an excuse to meet again. During this recording we decided to make another tour together. The guy from Pretty Maids was a friend of Jo. He recorded demos with him many years ago when he left Pretty Maids. Ricky sent us a mail on our guest book and Jo asked him if he wanted to come to the studio.
Did they come to the studio or dd they send their stuff by email? Did they made something improvising or did you tell them what to do?
For Floor and Sander we had the lyrics and the places in the songs for them, but we created the melodies with them in the studio. Ricky improvised his solo. I think it’s more interesting when the guest give their own interpretation.
Why did you ask them? Is it commercially interesting to have guest musicians?
It’s interesting in both human and business side.
Did you ever have been guest musician yourself? If yes for whom and if not for who would like to do it?
I played a solo on upcoming album with many French lead guitar players. The band is a mix between black metal and Dream Theatre. You’ll ear it soon: Akroma.
Already toured everywhere with known bands. Did you filmed or record it? An plans to make a historical overview DVD?
The dvd is in our mind for a long time now. Maybe for the next year. We have a lot of crazy tapes including some from the 80’s
Do you prefer festivals or club gigs? Why?
I prefer club gigs because I like to play close to the audience and feel its response.
What is the most exciting thing that happens on stage when playing?
I’m living my dreams to be on stage and not in the crowd!
Is there a minimum amount of visitors needed for to play? Or do you also play for 5 people?
No we don’t have this kind of expectations. If some show are canceled it’s never by our wish. We have never refused to play. It’s the minimum of respect that we can have for our fans or the guy who payed is tiket. Last year we had the big opportunity to open for Judas Priest in our city (Grenoble) but they canceled the show 2 days before! So we made a free concert for the one who came and didn’t know that Judas were not here.
Is there a steady group of groupies? Are you willing and able to their suggestions?
There are sometimes groupies in our shows, but we are all married or engaged, so there is nothing more : we are gentlemen!
If you could start over again in 1979, would you do things differently?
I would begin to play guitar at the age of one!
What are the plans for the next 5 years? Which goals has to be reached?
More albums, more tours, more memories!
Retiring in a few years and play with grandchildren or die on stage in the so called line of duty?
I think some of us will die on stage!! It’s in your blood or not!
Last rites?
I hope that you will enjoy the album and to see you soon on stage! Thanks for the support!
