Oomph!

Oomph! (pronounced as "oomf") is a German rock band that was formed in Wolfsburg, Germany in 1989. The band is considered to be the original Neue Deutsche Härte musical group. In the 23-year history of the band, there have been no line-up changes. 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. It was Virgin Schallplatten where Oomph! finally signed. Between 1998 and 2001 they released three albums on the Virgin label, Unrein in 1998, which would become their debut album on 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. Plastik in 1999, which peaked in Germany at No. 23 and Ego in 2001, Peaking at No. 21 in the Media Control Charts, fulfilling their contract, but did not continue, feeling that the record company never fully explored their potential. With the benefits of major-label status however, Oomph! gained a larger following, and toured with labelmates Skunk Anansie in 1999, later opening for the Finnish rock band HIM in the fall of 2001. In 2002 Oomph! played at the Ozzfest in Germany, playing alongside Black Label Society, Tool and Ozzy Osbourne on May 20. The band would also appear at the With Full Force Festival on July 5, 2002. And on December 19, 2002 Oomph! would open for Apoptygma Berzerk.