Although credited as a Swedish entity NIGHTRAGE was originally formulated in Greece. NIGHTRAGE, featuring Gus G. (a.k.a. Kostas Karamitroudis) of DREAM EVIL and FIREWIND with EXHUMATION guitarist Marios Iliopoulos, have released two self titled demos. The first in 2001 and the second in 2002. During 2003 the band, signing to the German Century Media label for an album entitled 'Sweet Vengeance', welcomed onboard some heavyweight names from the Swedish Metal scene in EVERGREY vocalist Tom S. Englund, THE GREAT DECEIVER and AT THE GATES credited Tomas Lindberg with THE HAUNTED and INVOCATOR drummer Per M. Jensen.

NIGHTRAGE made their live debut at the 11th August 'Göteborgs Kalaset' festival in Sweden, the live line-up comprising Tomas Lindberg on vocals, guitarist Marios Iliopoulos, bassist Brice Leclercq and the DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH, BRUJERIA and LOCK UP drummer Nick Barker.

The band, having enrolled new Greek drummer Fotis Bernardo of SEPTIC FLESH repute and bassist Henric Karlsson, entered Studio Fredman with producer Fredrik Nordström in August to cut their second album 'Descent Into Chaos'. Korean versions added an extra bonus track in the form of an "extended demo" of 'Gloomy Daydreams'. Brice Leclercq duly joined the notorious DISSECTION in 2004. In extracurricular activity, Gus G. donated guitar parts to Japanese avant-garde Metal act SIGH's controversial 'Gallows Gallery' album.

NIGHTRAGE teamed up with ARCH ENEMY, THE HAUNTED and DARK TRANQUILLITY for a one off, all Swedish Metal bash at London's Forum on 17th December. In early 2005 it would be revealed that Fotis Bernardo had forged THE DEVILWORX project in alliance with the SEPTIC FLESH duo of vocalist / bassist Spiros Antoniou ('Set<'H>') and guitarist Chris Antoniou.

Gus G. joined ARCH ENEMY in mid 2005 as the group's touring guitarist after regular six-stringer Christoper Amott bowed out of that band in order to "fully concentrate on his studies". NIGHTRAGE, switching singer Tomas Lindberg to new man Jimmie Strimell of PAINFIELD, DEAD BY APRIL and DEATHDESTRUCTION repute, announced a September 2005, five week US road partnership dubbed the 'International Extreme Music Festival' in collaboration with GOD DETHRONED, BYZANTINE, EPOCH OF UNLIGHT, HELL WITHIN and LILITU. The group enlisted Pierre Lysell from the Swedish bands THE PROVENANCE and NONE as session guitarist for this trek. However, following the 1st October gig at Chicago's Metro the band withdrew from the tour.

European shows in January and February 2006 witnessed a strong partnership with MALEVOLENT CREATION, NECROPHAGIST and BOLT THROWER. Guitarist Gus G opted out upon completion of these shows in order to prioritise FIREWIND. The band, severing ties with Century Media Records in May and switching to Germany's Lifeforce Records, was confirmed as partnering with VADER and BLOODTHORN November shows in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Pierre Lysell was once again utilised as second guitarist whilst drums were delegated to new recruit Alex Svenningson, previously of MINDFALL.

NIGHTRAGE entered Hansen studios in Ribe, Denmark on December 1st with producer Jacob Hansen to cut fresh album tracks. In January 2007 NIGHTRAGE announced an album title of 'A New Disease Is Born'. Shortly thereafter second guitarist Constantine was installed within the ranks. Meantime, Jimmie Strimmell was revealed to be working with a high profile side act, DEAD BY APRIL, featuring RAPTURE, DRAGONLAND and THE RETURNING guitarist Olof Mörck, guitarist Martin Meyerman of M.A.N, bassist Staffan Persson of WHEN WE FALL plus drummer Richard Evansand, whose scene credentials included SORCEROR, MANIC DEPRESSION, IT'S ALIVE, SOUTHPAW, DOG FACED GODS, DEMONOID, THERION, LIONS SHARE and EBONY TEARS.

NIGHTRAGE released their fourth full-length album, 'Wearing A Martyr's Crown', on 22nd June 2009 in Europe and 4th August for the USA via Lifeforce Records. The album was tracked at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström. Japanese editions added a bonus track in a cover version of METALLICA's 'Holier Than Thou'.

Rumours in early August 2009 suggested that ex-member Gus G was to perform as OZZY OSBOURNE's new guitarist at the Blizzard Entertainment 'BlizzCon' convention that month in Anaheim, California. This speculation was confirmed on 21st August.

Garry Sharpe-Young