According to Ash, Nargaroth was formed in 1989, but due to contradictory statements of Ash, this date is disputed, as well as the release of the seven track instrumental demo Orke in 1991. It is supposed that this demo was actually released in 1999. The demo Herbstleyd, which Ash claims to be released in 1993, was probably not released before this date. Nargaroth’s first album Herbstleyd was released by No Colours Records in 1999, followed in 2000 by Amarok, which is not an album but a re-release of old recordings, as well as the controversial demo Fuck Off Nowadays Black Metal, (released as a demo resulting to disputes over production values). This demo is said to be limited to 333 tapes and 100 LPs, but more units were probably released.
In 2001, No Colours Records released Black Metal ist Krieg, considered Ash’s dedication to black metal. It was followed in 2002 by Rasluka Part II. The third album Geliebte des Regens was released in 2003. 2004 saw release of live album Crushing Some Belgian Scum, Rasluka Part I, and Prosatanica Shooting Angels. The next album Semper Fidelis was released by No Colours Records in 2007. The sixth album was released in 2009 named Jahreszeiten by No Colours Records limited to 1000 copies.
Winter
Nargaroth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Es weinen in Liebe verstorbene Ahnen,
Die eistrunken neigen ihr ehren'es Haupt.
Und all meine Sünden verlieren die Namen,
Wenn der Hass das Gewissen beraubt.
Wie einst ein Splitter aus reinstem Kristall
Das Herz des Jungen erkaltet ließ.
Mir die Kraft, auf daß ich dich verstieß.
Ich habe das Herz aus meiner Brust
Mit dem Eisdolch längst heraus gerissen.
Befreit mich von Demut und Strafenlust,
Von Wehmut und sünd'gem Gewissen.
Ich schnitt mit Schrei den Blutstrahl entzwei
Der dich und mich verbunden.
Da wir die Liebe, die uns einst geheilt,
Wie blutschwarze Gäule geschunden.
Anklage der Ahnen
Und es klagen die Väter der Ahnen "Verräter"
Die Seele betrogen. Die Ehre belogen.
Selbstverachtung gepredigt, in Schuld sich verewigt.
In Worten und Tat, eines Mannes Hochverrat.
Kein Gott wird dich erlösen, von deiner ehrlos' Schuld.
Zum Manne mußt du werden, doch nicht mehr in deinem ‚Kult'.
Trage aufrecht deine Sünden, zeichne sie auf deine Haut,
Dass zur Erlösung wirst geschunden, von jedem, der dein Kainsmal schaut!
Das Ende
So schrieb ich in Stein mein ehrlos' Vermächtnis
Und blutet es noch in meinem Gedächtnis.
Denn hin und wieder dann und wann,
Schmerzt die Erinnerung daran.
The lyrics of Nargaroth's song "Winter" recount a tale of deep pain, heartache, and self-loathing. The singer is haunted by the memories of his past actions and their consequences, so much so that he begs to be freed from their weight. The opening lines describe the singer's ancestors, who have died in love, now weeping with sorrow to see their descendant's current state. He laments over his sins, begging for them to be forgotten by the world and himself, as his conscience is being devoured by hatred; he wants to be stripped of the guilt and sadness inflicted upon him by his actions. The lyrics go on to recall a love that has turned into bitter hatred. The singer narrates how, just like a cold shard from a crystal, his heart was frozen by a power that he could not control. He was forced to hurt someone he once held dear, hoping to banish the traces of love that tormented his heart. He longs to be rid of the humiliation and pain that followed.
In the second part of the song, titled "Anklage der Ahnen" (Accusation of the Ancestors), the singer is being accused by his forefathers of being a traitor to their legacy, a liar to their honour, and a peddler of self-hate. He is blamed for clinging to guilt and prolonging the suffering that his actions have brought upon him. He is advised to bear his sins with dignity, like a banner that he should carry around with him, for it is only through constant reminders of his mistakes that he might someday relinquish them and attain redemption.
The third part of the song, titled "Das Ende" (The End), reflects upon the singer's fate. He writes his dishonourable legacy in stone, but he is still not able to forget it. The burden of his sins is too heavy, and they continue to torment him, even in those moments when he forgets them. The message of the song is clear: redemption is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve without acknowledging the weight of one's past mistakes and accepting them as one's own.
Line by Line Meaning
Es weinen in Liebe verstorbene Ahnen, Die eistrunken neigen ihr ehren'es Haupt.
Ancestors who died in love cry, bowing their honorable heads in the cold.
Und all meine Sünden verlieren die Namen, Wenn der Hass das Gewissen beraubt.
Hate that deprives conscience makes all my sins unnamed.
Wie einst ein Splitter aus reinstem Kristall Das Herz des Jungen erkaltet ließ.
Like a splinter of pure crystal, the heart of a boy turned cold.
So schenkte die Gnade die Königin Mir die Kraft, auf daß ich dich verstieß.
Grace from the queen gave me the strength to exile you.
Ich habe das Herz aus meiner Brust Mit dem Eisdolch längst heraus gerissen.
I already ripped my heart from my chest with an ice dagger.
Befreit mich von Demut und Strafenlust, Von Wehmut und sünd'gem Gewissen.
Free me from humility and lust for punishment, from melancholy and sinful conscience.
Ich schnitt mit Schrei den Blutstrahl entzwei Der dich und mich verbunden.
With a scream, I cut the blood flow that connected you and me.
Da wir die Liebe, die uns einst geheilt, Wie blutschwarze Gäule geschunden.
We both mercilessly flogged the love that once healed us, like dark horses.
Und es klagen die Väter der Ahnen "Verräter" Die Seele betrogen. Die Ehre belogen.
The fathers of ancestors lament "traitor", their souls deceived, their honor lied.
Selbstverachtung gepredigt, in Schuld sich verewigt. In Worten und Tat, eines Mannes Hochverrat.
Preaching self-contempt, perpetuating guilt, high treason in words and deeds of a man.
Kein Gott wird dich erlösen, von deiner ehrlos' Schuld. Zum Manne mußt du werden, doch nicht mehr in deinem 'Kult'.
No God will save you from your dishonorable guilt. You must become a man, but not in your 'cult'.
Trage aufrecht deine Sünden, zeichne sie auf deine Haut, Dass zur Erlösung wirst geschunden, von jedem, der dein Kainsmal schaut!
Carry your sins with dignity, draw them on your skin, so that for redemption you will be tormented by everyone who sees your Cain's mark!
So schrieb ich in Stein mein ehrlos' Vermächtnis Und blutet es noch in meinem Gedächtnis.
I wrote my dishonorable legacy in stone, and it still bleeds in my memory.
Denn hin und wieder dann und wann, Schmerzt die Erinnerung daran.
Because every now and then, the memory pains me.
Contributed by Lauren P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.