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Krieg (band)

From Alfawiki
Krieg
Company typeMusical group
IndustryMusic
Founded1995
Headquarters
Somers Point, New Jersey
,
United States
Key people
Neill Jameson (founder, vocals)
ProductsBlack metal music, albums, EPs, splits
Websitehttps://myspace.com/kriegofficial

Krieg (translated from German as "War") is a black metal group originating from Somers Point, New Jersey, United States, established by Neill Jameson.[1][2]

History

Initially formed in 1995 under the name Imperial,[3][4] the band adopted the name Krieg in 1997 to distinguish themselves from other groups called Imperial.[3] Their first album, Rise of the Imperial Hordes, was released in 1998. A second album, Sono Lo Scherno, was recorded but remained unreleased at that time; select tracks were later featured on various splits and compilations.[5]

In 2001, Krieg embarked on a German tour titled the North American Black Metal Invasion alongside Godless North and Inquisition, with support from the German act Secrets of the Moon.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Their live performance on December 8, 2001, at Die Festung in Bitterfeld was dedicated to Kanwulf of Nargaroth, following a significant event involving the vocalist of NSBM band Absurd.[6]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name This concert was later issued as the live EP Kill Yourself or Someone You Love.[6]

The year 2003 saw Krieg release several split records with bands such as Antaeus, Satanic Warmaster, Goat Semen, Necroplasma, Nazxul, and Open Grave. Imperial referred to Antaeus, Satanic Warmaster, and American outfit Black Witchery as his "holy trinity" within black metal. That same year, The Black House was released and supported by a tour featuring Demoncy and Abazagorath.[4][7]

In 2004, Krieg announced what was intended to be their final album named The Harmony Virus.[3][7] Imperial explained that disbanding was due to fulfilling his artistic objectives but did not rule out future endeavors. Additionally, a split single with Canadian group Lust was planned.[7] The following year, the album Blue Miasma was released through No Colours Records and Darkland Records, recorded in studios located both in Germany and the United States.[1]

In 2006, Krieg toured the West Coast of the US and Mexico with Noctuary serving as their backing band before disbanding again. The band reunited in 2008 for performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco and issued a split album while developing new material.[8]

By 2014, plans were underway to release their second album with Candlelight Records entitled Transient.

Musical style and lyrics

Imperial created Krieg as a vehicle for conveying intensely personal feelings, maintaining strict control over his artistic vision without external influence. His experiences, including suffering a nervous breakdown and undergoing medication treatment, heavily inform his work. Themes are shaped by elements such as dementia and nightmare imagery. Musically, Krieg is influenced by black metal pioneers like Beherit, Archgoat, Darkthrone, and Profanatica, while also drawing inspiration from less conventional sources including Lou Reed’s Berlin, The Velvet Underground, and doom metal genres. Their lyrical content eschews standard Satanic motifs in favor of portraying bleak nihilism marked by despair.

According to MusicMight, Krieg stands as an "uncompromising underground Black Metal legend" recognized for raw black metal characterized by distinctive style and tempo variations. Journalist Björn Thorsten Jaschinski of Rock Hard describes their early output as chaotic black metal with rough execution inspired by Profanatica and Havohej. Ryan Harding identifies Krieg among American black metal acts excelling by adhering to the raw and chaotic blueprint established by Beherit and Profanatica.

Compared to earlier works, The Black House maintained its aggressive nature while incorporating groove-oriented elements that made it somewhat more accessible without sacrificing its primitive roots. The album’s lyrics delve into psychological turmoil, rebellion, inner rage, contemplation of death, hopelessness, betrayal, sexual corruption, and murder devoid of conscience. The Patrick Bateman EP shifts toward pure aggression combined with ambient soundscapes played on metal instruments designed to provoke listeners. At approximately one hour in length, Blue Miasma is Krieg’s longest record; it further explores moods introduced on The Black House. Imperial described this release as their most somber, experimental, and abrasive work yet—drawing from lifelong nightmares and serving as a therapeutic outlet through music.

Jaschinski remarks that although chaotic intensity remains dominant on The Isolationist, it also integrates ambient textures and experimental elements.

Discography

Studio Albums
EPs
Splits
  • None Shall Escape the Wrath (split with Judas Iscariot, Eternal Majesty, Macabre Omen) (2000)
  • To the Coming Age of Intolerance (split with Judas Iscariot) (2001)
  • Kult ov Azazel / Krieg (split with Kult ov Azazel) (2002)
  • Krieg vs. Antaeus (split with Antaeus) (2003)
  • Krieg / Satanic Warmaster (split with Satanic Warmaster) (2003)
  • 4 Spears in Gods Ribs (split with Goat Semen, Necroplasma, Nazxul) (2003)
  • Resistance Is Futile (split with Open Grave) (2003)
  • Death Glorification (split with Morte Incandescente) (2004)
  • Satan Shitting on Cunt / Flesh Descending (split with Nunslaughter) (2004)
  • Krieg / Azaghal (split with Azaghal) (2004)
  • Daze West (split with Nachtmystium) (2005)
  • Bleeding for Him / The Church (split with Bael) (2006)
  • Krieg / Caïna (split with Caïna) (2009)
  • Krieg / Gravecode Nebula (split with Gravecode Nebula) (2011)
  • Krieg / Leviathan (split with Leviathan) (2015)
Compilation
  • "Slit Their Throats to the Spine" featured on The Cold, The Silent compilation (1999)
  • The Black Plague (2001)

Members

Current Lineup
  • Neill Jameson – vocals
  • A Poole – guitar
  • B Durrant – bass guitar
  • J Dost – drums
Past Members
Vocals
Bass Guitar
  • Lord Soth
  • SM Daemon
  • D.O.A.
  • Azentrius (Nachtmystium)
  • Wrest (Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice, Twilight, Von Goat, Nachtmystium)
  • Steven Nelson (Winterthrall, Noctuary)
  • Asmodaios (Sterbend)
  • God Vomit (Helcaraxe)
  • Xaphan (Kult ov Azazel)
Guitarists
Drummers
  • H.C.
  • J Tarby
  • Bestial Deathhammer
  • Duane Timlin
  • Teloc Coraxo (Perverseraph)
  • Butcher (Maniac Butcher)
  • Wargoat Obscurum (Cult of Daath)
  • Thron
  • MK (Katharsis)
  • Winterheart
  • Tomas (Forever Plagued Records, Bloodstorm)
  • Chris Grigg
  • Sebastian Engelhardt (Voodooshock)
  • Flakpanzer 38 (Open Grave)
  • Rob Alaniz (Noctuary)
  • Thrawn (Secrets of the Moon)
  • Cryptic Winter (Funeral Rites)
Lyric Contributors
  • Ted "Archæon" Tringo (Autumn Tears)
Songwriting Credits
  • Phaedrus
Keyboardists
  • Ted "Archæon" Tringo (Autumn Tears)
  • Lord Soth
  • Azag
  • Sanford Parker
Viola Player
  • Phaedrus

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named blabbermouth33576
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named metalcrypt
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MM
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named feoamante1
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named killyourselforsomeoneyoulove
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named live4metal
  8. ↑ Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
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