Eisregen is a German death metal and dark metal band which formed in 1995. The members are from Tambach-Dietharz, a village in Thuringia.
History
In English, Eisregen translates to "Ice Rain". By using morbid German lyrics unlike those of other bands of this genre, they got the attention of German authorities, causing the indexing of three of their albums. Eisregen originally planned to disband after releasing a final album called "Menschenmaterial", but announced that they will continue to work together.
Style
Eisregen's old albums were more black metal influenced than the newer ones. The violin parts, now typical for the band, came with "Krebskolonie", considered as their best album by many of their fans.
Censorship
Unlike "normal" indexing, "Krebskolonie" is not allowed to be sold at all in Germany. The reason given was the lyrics, described as "grausam, menschenverachtend, frauenfeindlich und verrohend". The band could not fight the indexing as their label Last Episode did not inform them. Interviews show the reasons giving for indexing differ from lyricist Michael Roth’s intentions. As an example, an excerpt from the indexing report referring to the song "Futter für die Schweine" : Singer and lyricist Roth himself stated: This indexing report shows the singer and the narrator as one person although this not the same thing. The indexing of the album "Farbenfinsternis", which was along with "Krebskolonie" one of their most important releases, inflicted a financial damage to "Eisregen". The album "Menschenmaterial", originally thought to be their sixth and last album, was not released. The band announced to release one more album called "Blutbahnen" before, as they found a new motivation to make music. On February 1, 2007 their release "Wundwasser" was indexed due to "youth endangering and condemnable contents" although the band tried to stop the indexing by engaging their attorneys.
Although Eisregen were criticized for their horror and splatter lyrics, their songs also have a certain background and sometimes even deal with social or historical topics in a fictional way.
Particulars
In order to circumvent the indexing rules, Eisregen retitle songs when playing them live. "Meine tote Russische Freundin" and "Futter für die Schweine" became "Meine schwedische Freundin" and "Nonnen für die Schweine". "Krebskolonie" is often played as "Leprakolonie".
