Good

Nation: Germany

Album Genre: Black Metal

Pros: Black metal....is a genre in itself of musical sensibility and quality. People who listen to any other type of music simply will not adjust to the sound of black metal without prior prep from other types of metal. Most metalheads even have a hard time accepting black metal. Hell, even I have to be in the mood for only a slight few bands that I have heard. Nargaroth's album Black Metal Ist Krieg is no different. We open to an intro track with just Kanwulf screaming to a steady unproduced wack on a bass drum with random cymbol hits, and a bunch of feedback. This is an unpolished, ridiculous introduction. It seemingly serves no purpose but to piss off the unprepared listener, and to those who think that....you are correct. Kanwulf is a black metal elitist who makes music for those few that can appreciate what he creates....mood driven, atmospheric, hellish aggression. Black metal is not just a form of music, it is an experience. While my experience with black metal is quite limited, I do understand it and can appreciate it when it is done well. On account of this type of musical being so finicky in how it is created, more often than not, black metal bands fall on their faces in an effort to sound bad ass and necro. The deciding point for me concerning this album (or so I thought) was when the song "Seven Tears are Flowing to the River" came on. This is a well constructed, incredibly moody epic that takes the listener on a journey of melancholy. Following this is a kick ass Lord Foul cover "I Burn For You." Very simple in design, but it is an acceptable bad ass black metal tune. The best song on this album is probably "Amarok - Zorn des Lammes Part III." Incredibly moody song (puts "Seven Tears..." to shame). Overall, a pretty good album...for black metal.

Cons: I know this is probably some sort of tribute album, but man...stick to your own stuff (despite some of them being very good). And avoid the damn repetitiveness!