There was a time when Nargaroth was among the most elite and respected bands in the true black metal underground, and people paid top bucks for rare early releases like, 'Herbstleyd' & 'Fuck Off Nowadays Black Metal,' but this was before the truth was exposed and some truths can really hurt. Y'see in the late 90's when Rene "Kanwulf" Wagner formed Nargaroth he came up with a slew of claims and lies (many of which were not easily proven to be false until a few years later), which was done with the intention of adding extra hype and cult like status to his band. Kanwulf spinned yarns of forming the band in the late 80's (thus making Nargaroth the first black metal band from Germany), as well as claiming to know certain Norwegian personalities, two of which were dead and the other whom was incarcerated at the time, and as well a series of ridiculous interviews, threats against bands and people in the scene and even some crazy message board fiasco, but as I said eventually the truth was exposed and Kanwulf was shamed, infinitely. However before all that went down he (along with a few session members) recorded, 'Black Metal Ist Krieg (A Dedication Monument),' and its pretty damn good too!
Nargaroth as you probably already guessed plays raw buzzing trebly sounding true black metal, which sounds like it was actually recorded in various different studios due to the varying production qualities and tones within the instruments. The album itself is meant to be a dedication to black metal and with song titles like, 'The Day Burzum Killed Mayhem' & 'Possessed by Black Fucking Metal' plus four cover versions of old cult BM bands (Azhubham Haani, Lord Foul, Root and Moonblood) it seemed Kanwulf had firmly placed himself in this black metal life style, which Kanwulf obviously longed to be a part of no matter what the cost.
The album kicks off with, 'Introduction,' which sounds amazingly similar to Gorgoroth's demo track, 'Gathered at Blåkulla,' but in case you missed that one its basically just a bunch of guitar feedback and violent screaming or maybe its the sounds of Varg Vikernes getting raped in prison (I have no idea). Anyway, the next two songs are fairly simple raw black metal compositions, but the album truly reaches a point of perfection with, 'Seven Tears Are Flowing to the River,' which is a nearly fifteen minute depressive black metal song and quite simply one of the best I've ever heard. 'I Burn for you,' which is a Lord Foul cover is simple and fun and so is the song, 'The Day Burzum Killed Mayhem' even though its meant to be serious the lyrics are a bit too ridiculous.
'Amarok - Zorn Des Lammes III' is also quite good and I really like the folk-ish sounding repetitive riff that exists throughout most of the song, also, 'Erik, May You Rape the Angels,' which is dedicated to Erik Brødreskift is admirable and even though Moonblood is one of the worse bands in the entire existence of recorded music I kind of like Nargaroth's cover version of, 'The Gates Of Eternity.' And hell you've just got to love the energetic ending jam, 'Possessed by Black Fucking Metal,' which again was probably meant to be serious, but, well ya know.
I remember buying this record in 2001 just a few months prior to my 20th year of existence and as much as I hate to admit it I REALLY got into black metal after listening to this album. Needless to say, but I will anyway, I sported the typical black metal look and then some (long black hair, combat boots, only black clothing, etc.) and also spent most of my pay checks on old rare recordings, many of which I've since re-sold on eBay because it was mostly shit, but when you're young and you want to be part of something special you'll do just about anything, just like Kanwulf.
Nevertheless, 'Black Metal Ist Krieg' is a great recording of raw black metal that I still enjoy quite a bit and it is truly the finest moment for Nargaroth and Mr. Kanwulf too.
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