German Metal
From GermanMetalWiki
German Metal is a musical genre. Taken from the About page:
Contents |
What is "German Metal"?
"German Metal" is regarded here as a genre of its own. It is not defined as Metal music from Germany. The term was created by a few Rammstein fans; back in 1998, almost all Rammstein fans argued about what kind of music they played. While most agreed it was very different from most things made before, the names people gave to the genre were very various. Many named it "Industrial" or "Industrial Metal", whilst others felt that Industrial music was something quite different. Several new genre names were created: "NDH" (Neue Deutsche Härte), "Tanzmetall", "Techno-metal", and... "German metal"! None of them can be qualified as fully "right", they all refer to the same genre mainly defined by "the kind of music Rammstein plays". I personally adopted German Metal, as I feel it is a sort of metal music, and that it originates from Germany. There is still much disagreement about it, and with the apparition in the last years of a big "Gothic" scene in Germany, many also call it Gothic music, as many bands of the "Gothic" musical genre seem to definitely have been influenced by Rammstein. "NDH" and "Industrial metal" are still used sometimes.
Anyway, the genre here is not trying to be restrictive; it can't be limited to bands that sound like Rammstein, since so many are also associated with other genres. I therefore try to extend the definition of the genre as the following: "Modern metal music mixing keyboards, guitar riffs, dissonant Industrial elements, and various elements from rock and electronic music, and preferably sung in German". The result can be VERY different from a band to another. Uniqueness and experiments is strongly encouraged in the genre. Let's see a few examples...
Examples of bands considered German Metal
These bands would be allowed to have a section here without any questioning. Here is why:
- Rammstein: They represent exactly the style defined by German Metal.
- ASP: Rock music, hard enough to be called metal at times, mixed with a lot of keyboards/electronics, many unique arrangements. One of the headlights of the current Gothic scene, most of which fits as German Metal.
- Unheilig: Most songs are based on a "techno-beat", but the way the melodic keyboards mix in and the addition of heavy guitar riffs at times makes it German Metal. Also part of the Gothic scene.
- Laibach: Industrial music pioneers. The music changes a lot from an album to another, but the "Jesus Christ Superstars" album makes them fit on this website, as it sounds like something very influenced by Rammstein. Rammstein themselves have probably been very influenced by Laibach from the start, too.
- Atrocity: Some of their albums are brutal metal, but the albums Gemini and Atlantis make them fit perfectly too. It is also to be noted that they collaborated with the Industrial band Das Ich for a full album.
- Die Apokalyptischen Reiter: They mix traditional heavy metal with very inventive keyboards. A much harder band which wouldn't fit in the Gothic scene, but which can also be called German Metal.
- In Extremo: The addition of bagpipes and harps as the main elements next to a mix of Rammstein music riffs and traditional songs makes this band creative. Along with Subway To Sally and Tanzwut, they created a "folk metal" genre, which remains very influenced in some ways by Rammstein and some Industrial bands. They therefore fit as German Metal.
- Turmion Kätilöt: Whilst they are from Finland, their music can be compared to Rammstein, but much heavier. Being from Germany is not an obligation to play German Metal; the name only takes note that the genre originates from Germany.
- The Inchtabokatables: They might use no guitars, but the distorted cellos makes it sound as if they did. They do not use so much keyboards in addition to their hard traditional-rock music, but the cellos makes it inventive. And a Rammstein member used to be part of them...!
- Lacrimosa: The mix is metal and orchestra in Lacrimosa is really unique, plus, they sing in German. That's enough to fit in.
Examples of bands NOT considered German Metal
These artists may not have a section on GermanMetalWiki, here is why:
- Helloween: They make a traditional kind of metal music, which is comparable to acts such as Judas Priest. Although they are good at what they are doing, this is not the kind of metal German Metal is.
- Scorpions: Yes, they are German too, but their music sounds as if the band could originate from anywhere in Europe - or in America. You might enjoy them as a nice influential rock band, but they are not German Metal.
- Gamma Ray: Pioneers of the Speed Metal genre, one can't however say that this genre is strictly coming from Germany - or that it is anyhow unique now. Speed Metal from Germany is not German Metal.
- Tokio Hotel: Very far in the other direction - as some bands who are more "pop/rock" CAN be accepted as German Metal, a band needs a very unique element to be accepted if what they do is very mainstream. Unfortunately, Tokio Hotel have only their age which makes them unique. To sing in German and use guitars isn't enough.
- Wizo: Punk bands also CAN be accepted as German Metal - if they have something unique that definitely originates from German music. Wizo are very good at making punk rock, but no unique element is found; they could be American.
- Nena: I'm taking her as an example for the whole NDW (Neue Deutsche Welle) genre. Yes, it is something that originates from Germany and has a unique sound to it. Yes, some German Metal bands can have been influenced by some things in it. But it is beyond the limit - NDW includes next to no guitar, and can mainly be called pop music.
- Paradise Lost: They are pioneers of what is today called the Gothic genre, which usually fits as German Metal. However, they are from England, sing in English, and their style of metal - a few songs could be exceptions - is not that original, nor an element which is really part of the German Metal genre.
- Blind Guardian: Whilst their use of a choir makes them somehow original, the rest of the music is pretty much Speed Metal comparable to many other international Speed Metal bands.
- Hocico: Whilst very harsh electronic/techno bands are very popular in the Gothic scene, most of them can't be considered for being German Metal. The genre is now international (Hocico is from Spain) even though its roots are from Germany, and while it is certainly based on many bands that can be linked to German Metal, it has now become very different, and most importantly, it usually includes no guitars. Bands of this genre using guitars may however be considered.
- Bushido: Yes, he made a remix for Rammstein, but not everything linked to Rammstein is German Metal. Bushido is hip-hop.
- Seeed: Yes, they do use guitars, but the style of pop-reggae-rock they make is also too far from anything German Metal is based on.
Examples of bands in between
These bands might be allowed to have a section in this Wiki:
- :Wumpscut:: Whilst they usually wouldn't be considered, :Wumpscut: is a pioneer of its genre, and used to be closely linked to Industrial music. A Discussion would have to be made before adding it.
- E Nomine: The kind of voices used by E Nomine makes them seem very influenced by Rammstein, as well as heavier songs like Schwarze Sonne. However, most of their songs are a (very original) kind of techno music. Again, a discussion would have to be opened - however, it has a strong chance of being accepted.
- Die Ärzte: Whilst they are usually considered punk, they truth is that their music is very hard to define. It has something of punk, but also a lot of other elements which makes them hard to be compared to any international punk band. Their uniqueness and use of keyboards once in a while makes them an acceptable candidate.
- De/Vision: They make mainly electronic music, and only a few songs use electric guitars. However, in concerts, real drums and a lot more electric guitars is used, and at times, one wouldn't even doubt their link with German Metal. They would most likely be accepted.
- gODHEAD: The main problem with gODHEAD is they are American and only two of their albums could be really called German Metal. However, "Power Tool Stigmata" and "2000 Years Of Human Error" are so exactly belonging to the German Metal genre that we cannot leave them out directly; a discussion would have to be opened.
- HIM: They are now considered very mainstream, but in fact, HIM's music has a lot of elements from German Metal. Their use of keyboards and their guitar riffs makes them good candidates. As a matter of fact, they were mainly popular in Germany at first. The problems are: they are Finnish and only sing in English. A discussion would have to be opened, but they might be accepted.
- Joachim Witt: Let's make it clear: for his recent works, Witt is definitely accepted right away as a German Metal artist, as he even helped define the genre. However, he has to be placed in this section for his early works, which are NDW (see Nena above).
- Beatsteaks: They are very much on the limit of uniqueness as German artists; their punk-rock could originate from another country. A debate would definitely have to be opened about them as a discussion before a decision is made.
- Apoptygma Berzerk: Cons: They are Norwegian, some of their albums are clearly techno-ish, they sing in English. Pros: The latest material fits in as a "mainstream" version of what is defined as German Metal, and their very old material helped define the Industrial genre and add guitars to it. A discussion would have to be opened in order to make a decision, but they would probably be accepted.
- Sportfreunde Stiller: They are a popular pop-punk-rock band, so why are they even in-between, as this doesn't even seem to fit a little? Well, Sportfreunde Stiller are in fact one of the most original bands of this genre, and guess the use of which instruments makes them unique? Keyboards. The way they mix it with the pop-punk-rock music makes them a possible candidate as part of this Wiki, but a discussion would have to be done before accepting them.
- Tocotronic: Mainly founders of a "Hamburger Schule" genre (a style of rock originating from Hamburg which would be linked to indie nowadays), their originality and use of keyboards with rock music makes them candidates too, as well as most bands of the genre. However, the line is slim and a debate would have to be made before taking decision about them.
If you are unsure about whether a band fits in or not, create a topic about them in the Discussion page. After debates, the GermanMetalTeam will decide whether they can be added to the Wiki or not.
