Oomph! ‘Ritual’...the band that inspired Rammstein are still the innovators

When you think of German Metal, German EDM, and German Industrial music, you think Rammstein. Rammstein were the Neue Deutsche Härte band that took the UK and America by storm in the mid-’90s when they appeared on MTV’s ‘Hanging Out’ performing ‘Rammstein’. Many people also attribute Rammstein to the inventors of the Neue Deutsche Härte movement, a mix of metal, dance, and industrial music that swept across Germany in the late ’80s.

However, many people overlook one of the true, original pioneers of this movement, pioneers that have actually been noted as inspiring Rammstein in the first place. Oomph! originated in Wolfsburg, Niedersachsen, Germany in the late ’80s and quickly gained acclaim for inventing German dance metal. Oomph! incorporated many styles of music such as metal, industrial, alternative rock, electronica and gothic in order to demonstrate their own unique take on musical expression.

Over the years, Oomph! Have released several innovative albums that challenge the nature of metal music, and it’s ultimate direction, style, and nuance. One thing is for sure, the band are always looking to develop their creative skill when delivering fresh music, their new album is no exception to this.

‘Ritual’ is their latest record, and it can be said, without doubt, it’s the band’s heaviest and most ambitious album to date. Oomph! Have definitely stayed true to their roots and focused on a simplistic breed of Heavy Metal mixed with Industrial power. Although opening track, ‘Tausend Mann und ein Befehl’ has a slight pop, almost national anthem chant to it, it’s a powerful start to the record, however, the LP itself offers an all-out war experience.

Oomph!’s years of experience when it comes to songwriting is clearly on show throughout this record. Dynamic vocals, vicious melodies, and heavy power chords glide effortlessly over industrial beats and gothic new wave synths.

As always, a highlight of any record by a German band is the beautiful German language that rips through the speakers and lends to the heavy metal style. Oomph!, however, have somehow managed to create quite a beautifully ethereal esthetic with the vocal on this record, something rarely found within this genre when mixed with German.

‘Ritual’ is, without doubt, the band's greatest achievement to date, and whilst some may feel they have focused more on heavy metal than the classic Neue Deutsche Härte sound, they have taken yet another step towards further developing their own unique anthemic style and yet again proven they are still the true innovators of the genre.

Highlights from ‘Ritual’ are 'Europa (feat. Chris Harms / Lord Of The Lost)', ‘Das Schweigen der Lämmer’, ‘Kein Liebeslied’, and ‘Lass' die Beute frei’.