Legendary Neue Deutsche Härte pioneers OOMPH! have revealed the first single, “Wem Die Stunde Schlägt”, off of their 14th album, Richter und Henker, set to be released on September 8, 2023! The upcoming full-length kicks off a new era as it marks the first album with a new lineup, as CR4P and FLUX are joined by new vocalist DER SCHULZ. The announcement of OOMPH!’s new record and first lineup change in 34 years was met with very positive reception across the board, and the album opener “Wem Die Stunde Schlägt” (en: For Whom The Bell Tolls) makes an immediate statement, propelled by a hefty dose of industrial metal. OOMPH! on the lyrics of “Wem Die Stunde Schlägt”:
“The song is about recognizing what hour has struck and becoming aware of the situation you are in. It’s about not giving up. Even in hard times, you always have to get back up and try to come back stronger than before, instead of listening to those who would like to see you fail and only want to make you small.
The title is borrowed from the bestseller by Ernest Hemingway, whose great writing style we adore.” The band adds on the video:
“The video is a symbolic representation of the song’s lyrics – stating that we always have a choice in which directions we go. In a flashback daydream of sorts, we’re told the story of a young woman at the turn of the century, who is condemned by mythical masked figures and led to the gallows because she apparently murdered her husband. The band is both the witness and the storyteller. The plot is not given away.
In addition, there are energetic and powerful band performance scenes. The video was shot in the impressive baroque setting of Bückeburg Castle and its mausoleum.” | 
