Megaherz
Encyclopedia
Megaherz is an industrial metal
group formed in Munich
, Germany
in 1993. One of the band's most famous songs is "Gott sein" ("To be God") on their first full album Wer Bist Du? ("Who Are You?"). Megaherz has gone through many changes in musical style since their founding. Their early works are a fairly dark alternative metal
, comparable to 1990s American bands such as Faith No More
, whereas recent works are comparable to bands such as Oomph!
and Rammstein
. Their early albums all include at least one song based on a classic German fairy tale, including "Rapunzel
" on Kopfschuss
, "Windkind" ("Wind child") on Himmelfahrt
and "I.M Rumpelstilzschen
" on Herzwerk II
.
. The band was essentially unformed until 1993, when Christian "X-ti" Bystron and Wenz Weninger joined the band.
After Noel Pix
joined the band as a keyboarder, their music started to show more of an industrial
influence. The first example of the band's step towards industrial metal
was their third album, Kopfschuss
("Headshot"), released in 1998. The single "Freiflug
" was released in 1999 to promote Kopfschuss; the single became their most successful single to date, as it peaked on the Deutsche Alternative Charts
at #7.
This album was followed by Himmelfahrt
, which was released in 2000 and become their debut album on the Media Control Charts
, peaking at #78. Herzwerk II
, released in 2002, also peaked at #78 on the German charts. In October 2002, vocalist Alexx Wesselsky announced that he would be leaving the band due to creative differences, but he would finish the 2002 tour.
with another former member, Noel Pix
.
In April 2003, the remaining members announced the new singer: Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz of the band Twelve after Elf. Elsholz was already familiar to fans as his vocals had been briefly featured on the track "Falsche Götter" from the album Himmelfahrt. By June 2004, a new album was under way. A new song was soon released with a small Macromedia Flash animation, substantiating the rumors of a new singer. This song was later revealed to be "Zeig' mir dein Gesicht" from the album 5
, which was released on 6 December 2004.
On September 23, 2005, the rest of the tours for the year were cancelled, as Elsholz left in a "total surprise" to the band. The reason was not given on the Megaherz homepage, but, in the Eisbrecher
forums, Elsholz announced he and his wife were expecting twins, and he wished to devote more time to his soon-to-be family. 5 was released in the USA by Eclipse Records
on February 21, 2006.
By August 18, 2007, the band's new line-up was announced and the website relaunched. Lex Wohnhaas, from the band Seelenbrand, was announced as the new singer and Jürgen "Bam Bam" Wiehler, from the band Bonfire
, replacing Jürgen Zink. Lex previously played for Megaherz during a concert in Moscow just after Elsholz left.
The new album, Heuchler
, was released in July 2008. After its release, the new album reached position #31 in German Album Charts, the highest chart entry of any Megaherz release to date.
The band played at the Summer Breeze Open Air
festival in August 2008, and continued touring in 2009, playing at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival. A compilation album was released in early March 2009 titled Totgesagte Leben Länger ("Those declared dead live longer", a line from "Dein Herz Schlägt" from the album 5
). The band released their first remix album, Loblieder, on April 1, 2010, featuring remixes by artists such as Die Krupps
, Suicide Commando
, Rotersand
, Letzte Instanz
and Staubkind
.
and Letzte Instanz
in December, before embarking on their own national tour in January and February, 2012.
On April 28, 2011 Megaherz announced that Christoph "Chris" Klinke, from "From Constant Visions", was the bands new Rhythm Guitarist.
Announced on their official website on May 24, 2011 Megaherz will release their new album on October 14, 2011, But on August 20th, 2011 it was announced that the release date for the new album has been moved to early December. Megaherz would also mention that the new album will feature 11 songs and that one of the new songs will become available for download in October, 2011.
Announced on the bands official website on November 24th, 2011 the first single will be Jagdzeit (Hunting Season) and will be released on December 23rd, 2011. The new album now titled Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) will be released on January 20th, 2012.
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
group formed in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1993. One of the band's most famous songs is "Gott sein" ("To be God") on their first full album Wer Bist Du? ("Who Are You?"). Megaherz has gone through many changes in musical style since their founding. Their early works are a fairly dark alternative metal
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
, comparable to 1990s American bands such as Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
, whereas recent works are comparable to bands such as Oomph!
Oomph!
Oomph! 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 22-year history of the band, there have been no line-up changes.-Early years :...
and Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
. Their early albums all include at least one song based on a classic German fairy tale, including "Rapunzel
Rapunzel
"Rapunzel" is a German fairy tale in the collection assembled by the Brothers Grimm, and first published in 1812 as part of Children's and Household Tales. The Grimm Brothers' story is an adaptation of the fairy tale Persinette by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force originally published in 1698...
" on Kopfschuss
Kopfschuss
Kopfschuss is the second full-length album by German industrial metal band Megaherz.The first track, Liebestöter brought the album most of its popularity abroad...
, "Windkind" ("Wind child") on Himmelfahrt
Himmelfahrt
Himmelfahrt is an industrial metal album by the German band Megaherz, released in 2000...
and "I.M Rumpelstilzschen
Rumpelstiltskin
Rumpelstiltskin is the eponymous character and protagonist of a fairy tale which originated in Germany . The tale was collected by the Brothers Grimm, who first published it in the 1812 edition of Children's and Household Tales...
" on Herzwerk II
Herzwerk II
Herzwerk II is the fourth full album from the German band Megaherz. It is the last CD to feature singer Alexx Wesselsky before he left with Noel Pix to form Eisbrecher...
.
With Alexx Wesselsky (1993-2003)
Megaherz began as a musical project of Alexx WesselskyAlexx Wesselsky
Alexander "Alexx" Wesselsky is the lead singer of the German band Eisbrecher. He is also the former lead singer of the band Megaherz.-Biography:...
. The band was essentially unformed until 1993, when Christian "X-ti" Bystron and Wenz Weninger joined the band.
After Noel Pix
Noel Pix
Jochen "Noel Pix" Seibert is a German rock and house musician. Pix has a French father and a German mother. He is the lead guitarist and programmer of the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Eisbrecher. Pix formerly belonged also to the band Megaherz as the band's keyboardist. He releases his house...
joined the band as a keyboarder, their music started to show more of an industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
influence. The first example of the band's step towards industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
was their third album, Kopfschuss
Kopfschuss
Kopfschuss is the second full-length album by German industrial metal band Megaherz.The first track, Liebestöter brought the album most of its popularity abroad...
("Headshot"), released in 1998. The single "Freiflug
Freiflug
"Freiflug" is the fourth single from the German metal band Megaherz, and the third and final single from their album Kopfschuss...
" was released in 1999 to promote Kopfschuss; the single became their most successful single to date, as it peaked on the Deutsche Alternative Charts
Deutsche Alternative Charts
The Deutsche Alternative Charts is the primary record chart for Germany's alternative music scene. The charts cover genres ranging nu metal to Britpop, from rock music to alternative electronic...
at #7.
This album was followed by Himmelfahrt
Himmelfahrt
Himmelfahrt is an industrial metal album by the German band Megaherz, released in 2000...
, which was released in 2000 and become their debut album on the Media Control Charts
Media Control Charts
The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
, peaking at #78. Herzwerk II
Herzwerk II
Herzwerk II is the fourth full album from the German band Megaherz. It is the last CD to feature singer Alexx Wesselsky before he left with Noel Pix to form Eisbrecher...
, released in 2002, also peaked at #78 on the German charts. In October 2002, vocalist Alexx Wesselsky announced that he would be leaving the band due to creative differences, but he would finish the 2002 tour.
Line-up changes and 5 (2003-2006)
Wesselsky officially left the band on January 1, 2003 and later formed the group EisbrecherEisbrecher
Eisbrecher is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band that consists primarily of Alexander Wesselsky and Noel Pix , with live support from Jürgen Plangger , Domonik Palmer , Achim Färber . In the United States and Canada, their record label is currently Metropolis Records...
with another former member, Noel Pix
Noel Pix
Jochen "Noel Pix" Seibert is a German rock and house musician. Pix has a French father and a German mother. He is the lead guitarist and programmer of the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Eisbrecher. Pix formerly belonged also to the band Megaherz as the band's keyboardist. He releases his house...
.
In April 2003, the remaining members announced the new singer: Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz of the band Twelve after Elf. Elsholz was already familiar to fans as his vocals had been briefly featured on the track "Falsche Götter" from the album Himmelfahrt. By June 2004, a new album was under way. A new song was soon released with a small Macromedia Flash animation, substantiating the rumors of a new singer. This song was later revealed to be "Zeig' mir dein Gesicht" from the album 5
5 (Megaherz album)
5 is an album by the German industrial metal band Megaherz. It was released in 2004, and was re-released in the United States in 2006. It's the first and the only album by this band to feature Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz as lead vocals.- Track listing :...
, which was released on 6 December 2004.
On September 23, 2005, the rest of the tours for the year were cancelled, as Elsholz left in a "total surprise" to the band. The reason was not given on the Megaherz homepage, but, in the Eisbrecher
Eisbrecher
Eisbrecher is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band that consists primarily of Alexander Wesselsky and Noel Pix , with live support from Jürgen Plangger , Domonik Palmer , Achim Färber . In the United States and Canada, their record label is currently Metropolis Records...
forums, Elsholz announced he and his wife were expecting twins, and he wished to devote more time to his soon-to-be family. 5 was released in the USA by Eclipse Records
Eclipse Records
Eclipse Records is an American indie rock record label based in Butler, New Jersey. The label is known for bringing the Cleveland band Mushroomhead to national attention. The current president of the label is Chris Poland.-History:...
on February 21, 2006.
Heuchler and Loblieder (2007-2010)
On April 18, 2007, it was confirmed on Megaherz's official website that the band found a new singer and was working on their sixth record. It was also stated that the band would tour while recording their new album.By August 18, 2007, the band's new line-up was announced and the website relaunched. Lex Wohnhaas, from the band Seelenbrand, was announced as the new singer and Jürgen "Bam Bam" Wiehler, from the band Bonfire
Bonfire (band)
Bonfire is a German heavy metal band, founded in Ingolstadt, Germany in 1972. Bonfire has a unique history. Currently there are two bands who have held the name. The original group started out as Cacumen, became Bonfire and ended in 2011 as Charade...
, replacing Jürgen Zink. Lex previously played for Megaherz during a concert in Moscow just after Elsholz left.
The new album, Heuchler
Heuchler
Heuchler is the latest album by the German industrial metal band Megaherz. It was released on 25 July 2008. It is the first album by this band to feature Alexander "Lex" Wohnhaas on vocals.- Track listing :...
, was released in July 2008. After its release, the new album reached position #31 in German Album Charts, the highest chart entry of any Megaherz release to date.
The band played at the Summer Breeze Open Air
Summer Breeze Open Air
Summer Breeze Open Air is a heavy metal music festival in Germany. It takes place annually in Dinkelsbühl, Bavaria. It was first held in 1997. The festival had been held in Abtsgmünd until 2006 when it was moved to its new location of Dinkelsbühl. The festival draws around 40,000 attendees annually...
festival in August 2008, and continued touring in 2009, playing at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival. A compilation album was released in early March 2009 titled Totgesagte Leben Länger ("Those declared dead live longer", a line from "Dein Herz Schlägt" from the album 5
5 (Megaherz album)
5 is an album by the German industrial metal band Megaherz. It was released in 2004, and was re-released in the United States in 2006. It's the first and the only album by this band to feature Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz as lead vocals.- Track listing :...
). The band released their first remix album, Loblieder, on April 1, 2010, featuring remixes by artists such as Die Krupps
Die Krupps
Die Krupps is a German industrial rock/EBM band, formed in 1980 by Jürgen Engler and Bernward Malaka in Düsseldorf.-History:Their initial sound throughout the 1980s combined synthesizers with metallic percussion...
, Suicide Commando
Suicide Commando
Suicide Commando is a Belgian electro-industrial act created by Johan van Roy in 1986.- History :Johan van Roy, Suicide Commando's only member, began experimenting with electronic music in 1986. Three years later he released his first tape under the moniker Suicide Commando, and made an appearance...
, Rotersand
Rotersand
Rotersand is a German electronic music act, formed in September 2002 by musician/producer Gun and singer Rascal with dance music producer/DJ Krischan J.E. Wesenberg joining them shortly after...
, Letzte Instanz
Letzte Instanz
Letzte Instanz, founded in Dresden, Germany in 1996, is a German metal band particularly noted for their use of the violin and cello. The founding members included Hörbi, Tin Whistle, Muttis Stolz, Kaspar Wichman, Holly D. and Markus G-Punkt. Benni Cellini and Robin Sohn entered the group a year...
and Staubkind
Staubkind
Staubkind is a solo German rock band led by Sven "Louis" Manke. The name is German and means "Dust child".- Band history :Staubkind was founded in 2003 by vocalist Sven "Louis" Manke. The band took inspirations from artists such as Oomph!, Zeraphine, Linkin Park and Evanescence...
.
Götterdämmerung (2010-present)
Announced on the official website on December 22, 2010 Megaherz are in the studio working on their seventh album. After which Megaherz will be going on tour with Subway to SallySubway to Sally
Subway to Sally was founded in Potsdam, Germany, in the early 1990s. It is a rock band with clear folk and medieval influences, later also with gothic and metal elements added to the mix...
and Letzte Instanz
Letzte Instanz
Letzte Instanz, founded in Dresden, Germany in 1996, is a German metal band particularly noted for their use of the violin and cello. The founding members included Hörbi, Tin Whistle, Muttis Stolz, Kaspar Wichman, Holly D. and Markus G-Punkt. Benni Cellini and Robin Sohn entered the group a year...
in December, before embarking on their own national tour in January and February, 2012.
On April 28, 2011 Megaherz announced that Christoph "Chris" Klinke, from "From Constant Visions", was the bands new Rhythm Guitarist.
Announced on their official website on May 24, 2011 Megaherz will release their new album on October 14, 2011, But on August 20th, 2011 it was announced that the release date for the new album has been moved to early December. Megaherz would also mention that the new album will feature 11 songs and that one of the new songs will become available for download in October, 2011.
Announced on the bands official website on November 24th, 2011 the first single will be Jagdzeit (Hunting Season) and will be released on December 23rd, 2011. The new album now titled Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) will be released on January 20th, 2012.
Current members
- Alexander "Lex" Wohnhaas – Vocals (2007–present)
- Christian "X-Ti" Bystron – Lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1997–present), programming (2002–present) - Wenz Weninger – BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1997–present) - Jürgen "Bam Bam" Wiehler – Drums (2007–present)
- Christoph "Chris" Klinke - Rhythm GuitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(2011–present)
Former members
- Alexander "Alexx" WesselskyAlexx WesselskyAlexander "Alexx" Wesselsky is the lead singer of the German band Eisbrecher. He is also the former lead singer of the band Megaherz.-Biography:...
– Vocals (1995–2003) - Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz – Vocals (2003–2005)
- Jochen "Noel Pix" SeibertNoel PixJochen "Noel Pix" Seibert is a German rock and house musician. Pix has a French father and a German mother. He is the lead guitarist and programmer of the German Neue Deutsche Härte band Eisbrecher. Pix formerly belonged also to the band Megaherz as the band's keyboardist. He releases his house...
– Guitar, keyboards, programming (1998–2001) - Christian Scharinger – Keyboards, programming (1995–1997)
- Josef Kalleder – Bass guitar (1995–1997)
- Roland Vencelj – Guitar (2007–2011)
- Oliver Pohl – Guitar (2002–2003)
- Marc Bredtmann – Guitar (1995–1997)
- Jürgen Zink – Drums (2003–2007)
- Jürgen Schlachter - Drums (2002–2003)
- Frank Gegerle – Drums (1998–2001, touring 2005)
- Tommy Eberhard - Drums (1997–1998)
- Tobias Trinkl – Drums (1995–1997)
Studio albums
- 1995: HerzwerkHerzwerkHerzwerk is the debut album released by the German industrial metal band Megaherz. It was a self-released album and was released in 1995...
(demo album) - 1997: Wer Bist Du?
- 1998: KopfschussKopfschussKopfschuss is the second full-length album by German industrial metal band Megaherz.The first track, Liebestöter brought the album most of its popularity abroad...
- 2000: HimmelfahrtHimmelfahrtHimmelfahrt is an industrial metal album by the German band Megaherz, released in 2000...
(#78 in Germany) - 2002: Herzwerk IIHerzwerk IIHerzwerk II is the fourth full album from the German band Megaherz. It is the last CD to feature singer Alexx Wesselsky before he left with Noel Pix to form Eisbrecher...
(#78 in Germany) - 2004: 55 (Megaherz album)5 is an album by the German industrial metal band Megaherz. It was released in 2004, and was re-released in the United States in 2006. It's the first and the only album by this band to feature Matthias "Jablonski" Elsholz as lead vocals.- Track listing :...
- 2008: HeuchlerHeuchlerHeuchler is the latest album by the German industrial metal band Megaherz. It was released on 25 July 2008. It is the first album by this band to feature Alexander "Lex" Wohnhaas on vocals.- Track listing :...
(#31 in Germany) - 2012: Götterdämmerung
Singles
- 1997: "Gott seinGott sein"Gott Sein" is the first single by German metal band Megaherz, and is from their first album, Wer Bist Du?. The song, considered one of their most famous, was rerecorded as "Gott sein '04" for their 2004 album 5....
" - 1998: "Rock Me Amadeus"
- 1998: "LiebestöterLiebestöter"Liebestöter" is a single from the German metal band Megaherz, from their second album Kopfschuss.- Track listing :# Liebestöter # Liebestöter # Liebestöter # Liebestöter...
" - 1999: "FreiflugFreiflug"Freiflug" is the fourth single from the German metal band Megaherz, and the third and final single from their album Kopfschuss...
" (#7 in German alternative charts) - 2000: "Himmelfahrt"
- 2002: "Herzblut"
- 2004: "Gott Sein '04" (non-physical release)
- 2004: "Dein Herz Schlägt" (non-physical release)
- 2008: "Mann von WeltMann von Welt"Mann von Welt" is the sixth single from the German metal band Megaherz, and their first since 2000. It is the first single from their new album Heuchler, their first album with Alexander "Lex" Wohnhaas on vocals. The single comes in two versions: a basic version with two tracks, and a limited...
" - 2011: "Jagdzeit"