OOMPH! is an industrial rock band from the neue deutsche härte scene.
Read Full Bio ↴OOMPH! is an industrial rock band from the neue deutsche härte scene.

OOMPH! consists of:
Robert Flux (guitar, mixing)
Andreas Crap (lead guitar, keyboards)
Leo (live drums)
Hagen (live bass)
Der Schulz (lead vocalist)

The band was formed in 1989 in Wolfsburg, Germany. They are one of the founders of the fusion of hard metal music and industrial sounds known as Neue Deutsche Härte.

OOMPH! owed a lot to Nitzer Ebb in their self-titled debut (1992). OOMPH!'s change of style for the successor "Sperm" (1994), with a more guitar-driven metal sound mixed with their electronic roots, inspired numerous musicians, most famously Rammstein, to follow their lead. (Rammstein have cited OOMPH! in several interviews as their main inspiration.)

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.

Following Dynamica OOMPH! finally signed with Virgin Schallplatten. With the benefits of major-label status OOMPH! gained a larger following, and toured with labelmates Skunk Anansie in 1999. Between 1998 and 2001 they released three albums on the Virgin label, fulfilling their contract, but did not continue, feeling that the record company never fully explored their potential.

In 2004 OOMPH! released their first single "Augen auf!" on a new label, this time on Supersonic Records, part of the Sony BMG group of music companies. It marks their first Number One hit ever in Germany, thus eventually bringing forth their major commercial breakthrough. It became part of the FIFA 2005 soundtrack.

The band's ninth record, GlaubeLiebeTod was released in March 2006, including the controversial single "Gott ist ein Popstar" and its follow-up "Das letzte Streichholz", the third single was Die Schlinge.

In 2007, they won the third Bundesvision Song Contest (a contest between the sixteen states of Germany) for Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) with "Träumst du?", which featured Marta Jandová from Die Happy.

While OOMPH! are not widely known within the United States, the band did perform at a New York festival in 1993. In Europe they have performed at M'era Luna, Ozzfest, Dynamo Open Air and Wacken Open Air.

Im Licht
OOMPH! Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Schlie deine Augen
Kannst du den Weg erkennen
Ffne die Pforte
Sto deine Seele auf
Du entfhrst dich
Du verlierst dich

Kannst du dich im Licht erkennen

Fhlst du, wie die Nacht regiert
Lass in dir das Feuer brennen
Bis sich deine Angst verliert

Kannst du dich im Licht erkennen
Fhlst du, wer die Nacht bezwingt
Lass dich von der Glut verbrennen
Bis sie deine Angst verschlingt

Du gehrst dir nicht

Finde die Wahrheit
Lass deine Seele brennen
Ffne die Schleuse
Nichts hlt dich jetzt noch auf

Du entfhrst dich
Du verlierst dich

Kannst du dich im Licht erkennen

Du gehrst dir nicht

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Oomph!'s song Im Licht can be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition, specifically the struggle to find one's true identity and overcome inner fears. The first verse speaks of closing one's eyes to the external world in order to better see the path ahead, and of opening up one's soul to new experiences. The following lines describe the sense of losing oneself in the unknown and the uncertainty that accompanies self-discovery. The chorus urges the listener to embrace the light and let go of their fears, to feel the power of the night and to let the fire within burn away all doubts and insecurities. The final verse encourages the audience to seek out the truth of who they are, to allow their soul to be fully revealed and to break down any barriers that may be holding them back.

The song's willingness to confront difficult and uneasy topics, such as the fear of one's own identity, resonates with fans of dark music and alternative rock. The use of electronic and industrial elements in the band's sound helps create a sense of urgency and intensity that further heightens the lyrics' emotional depth. Im Licht has been praised for its ability to inspire introspection and self-awareness in listeners, and has become a beloved classic among fans of German rock.

Line by Line Meaning

Schlie deine Augen
Close your eyes

Kannst du den Weg erkennen
Can you recognize the path

Ffne die Pforte
Open the gate

Sto deine Seele auf
Lift up your soul

Du entfhrst dich
You kidnap yourself

Du verlierst dich
You lose yourself

Kannst du dich im Licht erkennen
Can you recognize yourself in the light

Fhlst du, wie die Nacht regiert
Do you feel how the night rules

Lass in dir das Feuer brennen
Let the fire burn inside you

Bis sich deine Angst verliert
Until your fear disappears

Fhlst du, wer die Nacht bezwingt
Do you feel who conquers the night