Abschaum: Industrial Metal's Uncompromising Force
Abschaum is a German industrial metal band known for its aggressive fusion of mechanical rhythms and harsh, politically charged lyrics. Hailing from Berlin, the group achieved notable underground success with their 2018 album Zelluloid, which charted on the German Alternative Charts (DAC) for several consecutive weeks.
Early career
Formed in 2010, Abschaum emerged from Berlin's vibrant but gritty post-industrial music scene. The founding duo, vocalist/programmer Markus "Kain" Vob and guitarist Lukas Feld, initially self-released a series of raw EPs, including 2012's Mensch Maschine, which caught the attention of several small European labels.
Their early sound was a direct product of their environment, blending classic EBM with the weight of thrash metal. This development led to a signing with the independent label Noisebringer Records in 2014, which released their debut full-length, Asche, the following year.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough arrived in 2018 with their second album, Zelluloid. Released via the larger indie metal imprint Trisol Music Group, the album presented a more refined and potent version of their industrial assault. Zelluloid entered the DAC Top 20 and remained a staple on the chart, solidifying Abschaum's status within the European alternative metal circuit.
This success was followed by extensive touring across Germany and neighboring countries, sharing stages with established acts in the genre. The album's lead single gained significant rotation on dedicated metal and alternative radio programs, expanding their reach beyond the club scene.
Key tracks
Zelluloid — The title track from their breakthrough album is a definitive statement of their cyberpunk aesthetic and relentless rhythmic drive.
Kadavergehorsam — This earlier single became a fan favorite for its pummeling riff and became a setlist staple during their live performances.
Neue Ruinen — Featured on their 2021 follow-up Digitales Gold, this track showcases a more atmospheric side while maintaining their signature aggression.
Schwarzmaler — Known for its particularly scathing social commentary, this song highlights the band's lyrical focus on modern societal fractures.
Following Zelluloid, Abschaum continued to evolve. Their 2021 album Digitales Gold explored themes of data capitalism and further incorporated elements of nu-metal groove. They have collaborated with artists like Swiss industrial project Synapscape and contributed to various compilations on Dependent Records.
While not achieving mainstream pop chart success, Abschaum's work consistently performs well within genre-specific sales and streaming charts. Their albums are frequently highlighted by specialized online retailers and radio shows catering to the industrial and alternative metal communities.
Fans of Abschaum's abrasive, synth-laden metal might also appreciate the work of Oomph! This German group pioneered the dance-metal crossover that influenced a generation. The rhythmic intensity and German-language delivery of Eisbrecher also share common ground with Abschaum's sound. For a more orchestral but equally dark approach, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter offer a compelling blend of heaviness and melody. The industrial metal aggression of Megaherz provides another clear point of comparison for listeners.
Abschaum's music is regularly featured in the rotations of dedicated industrial and alternative metal radio stations. Their tracks are a frequent presence on online radio streams that specialize in European metal, as well as on independent music radio stations seeking a harder-edged electronic sound.
The music of Abschaum can be heard on various radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover or listen to Abschaum through the industrial, metal, and alternative radio stations available on onairium.com.
