Oomph!

Oomph! (German pronunciation: [uːmf]) is a German musical group formed in Wolfsburg, Germany in 1989. The band is considered the pioneers of the German Neue Deutsche Härte movement. Since the band's formation there have been no line-up changes, except for live personnel.

Band history

Early years (1989–2002)

Oomph! incorporates many styles of music such as metal, industrial, alternative rock, electronica and gothic to create their sound. Oomph!'s change of style between their self-titled debut (1992) and its successor Sperm (1994), leaning more heavily to a guitar-driven metal sound without giving up their electronic roots, inspired numerous musicians, most famously Rammstein, Megaherz and Eisbrecher, to follow their lead.

Oomph! released their first album on Jor's Machinery label, then releasing their consecutive albums on its sister label Dynamica. They stayed with Jor, until his labels disappeared during the acquisition by Sanctuary Records at around 1996/1997.

Oomph! finally signed on Virgin Schallplatten. Between 1998 and 2001, they released three albums on the Virgin label. The first, Unrein, was released in 1998, which became their debut album in the Media Control Charts, peaking at No. 37, and the Austrian top 40 at No. 38. A single called "Gekreuzigt" was released in 1998 to promote Unrein and became the band's debut single on the German charts, peaking at No. 81.