The Seven Song Itch - Neue Deutsche Harte

WARNING…WARNING…WARNING…THESE SONGS ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.  THIS MUSIC SHOULD BE TAKEN AS ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND NOT FOR ANTHEMS TO PROMOTE HATE OR VIOLENCE—EVEN IF SOME OF THE LYRICS, AND TONE, SEEM TO HAVE THAT FEEL. MOSTLY, THERE’S IRONY IN THE LYRICS, WHICH SOME JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND.

I posted something on-line on how to come up with a band name (Color of your pants and what you’ve previously eaten) and a friend from high-school, who now lives in Germany, mentioned that her band name would be No French Fires, or in German, Nicht Frittes.  What kind of band would tour without French Fries?  Maybe if Doppelweck (a type of German Bread) and Hackfleisch mit Senf (Hamburger with Mustard) were a part of the package, then there would be French Fries for all to enjoy.  Now, what would they sound like?  My friend’s vision for the band is, “Industrial mixed with Dubstep and an undertone of downtempo. Similar to James Maynard and Puscifer.”  To me, it sounded like a band that would be on tour with Rammstein. With this band in mind, I discovered a new genre (well, new to me anyway) Neue Deutsche Härte.  I’ve included a list of bands at the end of this blog, but this is in no way a complete list.  It includes some of the originators and innovators of the sound, with a couple that don’t emanate from Deutschland or sing in its native tongue.  So put your Jackboots on and head for the mosh-pit, cause these songs are not for wallflowers—Achtung!

Here is a playlist of these bands and other’s Neue Deutsche Harte

1. Die Krupps – Fatherland (1993)

The origin’s of Neue Deutsche Härte can be traced to this group, as well as Nitzer Ebb, and developed out of the Industrial sound that came out in the nineties.  The band is actively anti-Nazi and may have chosen this name to highlight the role of the Krupps in arming the Nazis during World War II.  This is a pinnacle song in considering the consequences of your actions.  The vocalist has a sound that reminds me of Ian Astbury from the Cult, with Metallica Tendencies.

2. Rammstein - Du hast (1996)

The first time I heard this song, I thought that I was listening to a remix of Ministry’s “Just One Fix” because the guitar riff is very similar.  Also, I thought the song’s title, in English, was ‘you hate me,’ but what they are really saying is ‘you have me.’  This band is one of the innovators of the Neue Deutsche Härte sound and to fully appreciate this band, you have to have a sense of humor and be familiar with East German culture—with a little melodrama thrown into the grinder.

3. Emigrate – My World (2007)

When Rammstein decided to take a break in 2007, this was a side project that lead guitarist Richard Zven Kruspe developed.  His sound has a more driving rhythm with a little of thrash metal beaten into the mix. Though technically not a part of the Neue Deutsche Härte scene, it shows a progression of the genre. Upon the reformation of Rammstein, he dissolved Emigrate to focus on his core band, but that does not mean that this side project is gone forever.  There are defiantly Industrial tendencies present in this song and maybe a nod to the group the Butthole Surfers.

4. Oomph! – Labyrinth (2008)

Oomph! is considered to be the original Neue Deutsche Härte musical group and is a direct influence on Rammstein. In the 22-year history of the band, there have been no line-up changes—an anomaly with most bands. This is one of my favorite songs on this list—it has a rip-roaring feel that is relentless in its edgy depiction of being trapped.  They do have English versions of their songs, but the punch is lost in the translation.

5. Omega Lithium - Stigmata (2009)

You didn’t think that all of these band were going to be male fronted—did you?  Well here comes Omega Lithium.  Technically they are from Croatia, and sing in English, but are considered to be a part of Neue Deutsche Härte.  The cool crisp vocals are there, but now there’s beauty in this beastly sound.  They have a gothic sound like Lacuna Coil and Evanescence, but have a style all their own.  They hold the record for the most Youtube views for a debut song in this genre.

6. Megaherz – Jagdzeit (2011)

Formed in 1993, this band attained success with their original Lead singer Alexander "Alexx" Wesselsky, but in 2003 he left the band citing creative differences.  Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz stepped in for a few years, but left the band in 2005 wanting to devote more time to his family.   Finally In 2007, Lex Wohnhaas, from the band Seelenbrand, was announced as the new singer, and catapulted the band’s sound toward a more stylized Industrial Metal direction, but still manages to still keep a bounce to the group.

7. Eisbrecher – Verrückt (2012)

Alexander "Alexx" Wesselsky left Megaherz in 2003 and formed the group Eisbrecher with another former member, Noel Pix. There is a nice female presence in this song, which gives it a nice contrast in the mist of brutal guitars and beastly vocals.  Maybe some more lady vocalists (Mina Harker and Omega Lithium) will start to bring the news of Neue Deutsche Härte? 

List of Bands Source: Neue Deutsche Härte

ASP, Dementi, die!, Die Allergie, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Die Krupps, Eisbrecher, Emigrate, Fleischmann, Hämatom, In Extremo, Janus, Leichenwetter, Mina Harker, Maerzfeld, Megaherz, Metallspürhunde, Nachtmahr, Omega Lithium, Oomph!, Persefone, Project Silence, Rammstein, Riefenstahl, Rinderwahnsinn, Samsas Traum, Schwarzer Engel, Schweisser, Seelenzorn, Siechtum, Silber, Stahlhammer, Stahlmann, Staubkind, Straftanz, Stendal Blast, Tanzwut, Teufelskreis, Treibhaus, Übermutter, Umbra et Imago, Unheilig, Weissglut, Weisses Blut, Weto.