Ave, Kai! First of all, introduce NARGATHROND to those who couldn’t get acquainted with the band yet…

- NARGATHROND is a dark ambient project, diverse and innovative musically, dealing with the subjects of occultism and S/M lyrically… Our first demo will be unleashed in the nearest time to come…

Hmm… In fact, by asking you to ‘introduce the band’, I supposed to get NARGATHROND’s bio instead!

- NARGATHROND has no history and will never have any. It is only a project based on our spiritual creativity, our thoughts, dreams and visions. It’s not a usual band, you see…

But…

- Damn it, I feel like I have to tell you few facts otherwise you’ll just bore me to death with those ‘history’ questions! Ok, the idea to create NARGATHROND came to Lazar (all vocals and instruments) somewhere back in 1996… or, perhaps, I’m wrong? Anyway, I already knew him for a long time back then, so, due to our successful collaboration in the shape of ROSSOMAHAAR (later about that), we decided to give birth to one more project. We had no concrete idea of what it’s gonna be, though. But one day Lazar went to his own studio in order to record some stuff for ROSSOMAHAAR and suddenly was stroke by his imagination’s attack – that’s how the first tunes appeared… Shortly after he listened to it and considered these songs (although, they weren’t usual ‘songs’) enough exciting and innovative to start one more ‘band’ besides others he was involved in…

You mean ROSSOMAHAAR and…

- … and STONEHENGE. The third album is out now (unfortunately, in MC format only), representing decent doom / death metal, grim and atmospheric. It’s called “Sense Of Doom”. Check it out… this stuff will mesmerize you.

Ok, let’s better get back to NARGATHROND. As far as I know, you have only one unofficial rehearsal recording behind you?

- No, it is not a rehearsal recording. It’s just a test of Lazar’s musical capabilities, his imagination and creative essense. These songs (there’re five of them) will be transformed into a demo tape soon.

Sounds tasty! But I still don’t know anything regarding this tape…

- You will. It’s called “Carnal Lust And Wolfen Hunger” and (as already said above) contains five tunes. It will be released soon.

As a self-financed effort?

- Yes.

But what about the music? Such term as ‘dark ambient’ is too limited to describe your works…

- I believe, it was meant a compliment? Thank you, anyway. Yes, ‘dark ambient’ is only a rough definition. Actually, NARGATHROND sounds more like a sympho-black metal with no guitars. Poland’s PROFANUM once did resembling experience with “Profanum Aeternum…” CD, however you shouldn’t perceive these words of mine as a comparison. It’s just an attempt to give you the picture of what NARGATHROND is all about. I still consider our music enough original…

Sympho-black metal? But there’re no live drums or bass there…

- Yes, but how many black metal albums featuring live drums and bass have you heard…? Even such bands as CRADLE OF FILTH aren’t squeamish about using drummachine…

So everything is a computer-done stuff?

- Speaking generally, yes. You see, as I already said, NARGOTROND is a project only, so we don’t feel the necessity to invite any supplementary musicians.

How did you appear in the band?

- I wrote all the lyrics for “Imperium Tenebrarum”, second effort from ROSSOMAHAAR; moreover, I’m the manager behind this band, consequently becoming responsible for NARGATHROND’s verses and promotion was quite natural, I believe…

Are you going to follow on collaborating with Lazar further?

- I hope so.

Can I assume that you gain any kind of inspiration in other people’s works when it comes to working with NARGATHROND?

- You’d better ask Lazar. I don’t write music…

I meant your lyrics…

- Oh… Sorry, seems like I’ve got you wrong. Well, my own soul and essense appear as the main source of inspiration for me when composing lyrics. As well as experiencing life, reading, having sex, dreaming, etc etc etc… I.e., usual life of a usual man.

You’ve mentioned reading. Are there any authors whose writings influenced you (when it comes to NARGATHROND, of course)?

- Not exactly writers… I’d rather say, ‘philosophers’. Such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Marquis De Sade, for example.

Can you tell us few words about each of the songs presented on “Carnal Lust And Wolfen Hunger” as well as their lyrical contents?

- Sure. The first one is «Ixaxar (Mira De Intimis Gentibus Libyae, De Lapide Hexecontalitho)». It’s most weird and gloomy tune among others on the tape, with lyrics written in Latin, dealing with the topic of occultism. Then we have “Carnal Lust And Wolfen Hunger”. It’s really difficult to say what it tells about, because it is a dream transferred to paper… And as you probably know, usually it’s almost impossible to retell your dreams. In general, it’s about a female spectre inviting me to join her in the “endless journey through the sinful mire, to soar infernally when becoming one...”; whom I crowned to be my lunar queen of blood… Quite abstract and equivocal, but still very exciting, poetic… and depraved. The third one is “I Saw Them Dying”. The angelic decline and domain where I hail the pleasures of flesh is what it tells about. This is all when it comes to lyrics. The tape has two more songs, “The Coldness Of Venus” and “Saducismus Triumphatos”, but both of them are instrumental.

So it seems like you prefer epicureanism over stoicism?

- Exactly. Epicureanism, individualism and hedonism. Three sacred words.

Would you like to tell us anything concerning your usual life?

- Do you really think it will be of interest to any of those who read this?! You already answered your questions by asking me it. Usual life is usual life – no more, no less. Studying at the university, working, writing lyrics and short stories, making a web-zine… some private life as well. Nothing special.

Some rumors say that you had some sort of a fight with NIGHTHATRED… Any comments on that?

- Well, until now I didn’t have a ‘fight’ with them, but we had some kind of ‘war’ through Internet. I truly despise this band as well as all their activities. You see, I just can’t stand the bands trying to be ‘true’, while playing some childish black metal (a parody on this genre, I’d say) and comprised of few 16-year old kids knowing nothing of the world surrounding them – it goes for everything; religion, music, human relations, etc. I understood that it’s utterly meaningless to waste my time for this war of words… it has no sense at all… that’s why I quit doing this ‘bout a year ago. They went silent for a long time and I almost forgot about these non-entities, however recently I noticed certain kind of activity in their camp (“clan” as they call it… ha ha). They tried to find out my address and phone… began to spread various rumors… that f.ex. they kicked my ass not so long ago… Ridiculous. However, what do you want from a bunch of brainless kids? Quite recently I talked to one of them, although this discussion didn't do anything neither for me, nor for him. We're still 'enemies', heh heh... Anyway, I don’t give a fuck.

Ok, I see. I wanted to ask the following question in the very beginning of our talk but somehow forgot to do it… What is ‘nargathrond’?

- Yeah, you’re a bit late with such a question, ha ha! I came up with this title; it’s taken from one of the books by Tolkien (don’t remember which one exactly) and stands for one of the Elfish castles.

Are you a fan of Tolkien?

- I feared of this question to come… His writings appear as something truly unique and entertaining, although I’m not one of those freaks getting high on the Middle-World… Moreover, NARGATHROND has nothing to do with the themes Tolkien broached in his works. Please remember that!

I’ll do my best! In the end I’d like to wonder what is the most impressive CD you’ve heard this month (just interesting)?

- “The Pernicious Enigma” by ESOTERIC, I think. It has absolutely inimitable, unique atmosphere and feeling to it… inhuman feeling.

And what about another NARGATHROND? Have you ever heard their stuff?

- ???

There’s another band with the name similar to yours…

- So what? I don’t know anything about that. And, honestly speaking, I don’t care. Let the listeners decide which one is the real NARGATHROND.

Well, I think it’s enough for this time. Any last words?

- Thank you for interviewing me, I really appreciate that. Those interested in NARGATHROND should contact me at <nargotrond@mail.ru> or <stalhammar@glasnet.ru> (Lazar has no Internet access at the moment). Expect our demo to be unleashed in a month or so…

No homepage?

- Unfortunately, you’re right. I was asked to create it but had no time until now. Try <www.nargathrond.da.ru> in few months – it should be there.