Untastbar: Germany's Pioneers of Industrial Rock

Untastbar is a German industrial rock band known for its aggressive fusion of metal guitars and electronic programming. Formed in Leipzig in 1998, the group achieved mainstream recognition with their 2005 album Zelluloid, which charted in Germany and spawned several successful singles.

Early career

The band was founded by vocalist/programmer Felix "Fex" Krause and guitarist Lars Adler in the post-reunification industrial landscape of East Germany. Their early sound was shaped by local club culture and a DIY ethos, leading to a self-released demo, Mechanische Gefühle, in 2000. This cassette-only release caught the attention of the independent label Noisefeld Records, which signed the duo and released their debut album, Schaltkreis, in 2002.

Breakthrough

Untastbar's commercial breakthrough arrived in 2005 with their third studio album, Zelluloid. Released on the larger imprint Motor Music, the album debuted at number 42 on the German Albums Chart. The lead single, Stromschlag, received heavy rotation on music television channels like VIVA and propelled the album to gold certification in Germany by 2006.

Key tracks

Stromschlag — This breakthrough single defined their signature sound with its anthemic chorus and pulsing synth lines.

Kaltes Metall — A fan favorite from Zelluloid known for its heavy guitar riff and themes of urban alienation.

Automatisch — This track from their 2008 album Antrieb showcased a more refined, dancefloor-friendly industrial approach.

Neon Herz — Featured on the soundtrack to a major German crime film, expanding their audience beyond the rock scene.

Endlos — A later career highlight from 2015's Reset that incorporated darker, more atmospheric elements.

Following the success of Zelluloid, Untastbar solidified their status with 2008's Antrieb, which reached number 31 on the charts. The band embarked on extensive touring, including slots on major European festivals like Wacken Open Air and support tours with established acts. A notable collaboration came in 2012 when they worked with producer Chris Vrenna, former musician for Nine Inch Nails, on the Kodex EP, further cementing their industrial rock credentials.

While subsequent albums like Reset (2015) and Pixel (2020) did not match the peak chart positions of their mid-2000s work, they maintained a dedicated fanbase and critical respect for evolving their sound. The band has consistently cited influences ranging from German pioneers like KMFDM and Rammstein to international acts like Ministry. For fans of Untastbar's aggressive electronic rock, similar artists include Rammstein for their shared German-language industrial heft, Oomph! for their melodic industrial metal approach, Die Krupps as pioneers of the German industrial genre, and Eisbrecher for their anthemic and modern take on the style.

Untastbar's music remains a staple on rock and alternative radio stations, particularly across Germany and Central Europe. Their hits are frequently featured on dedicated industrial and metal programs, as well as on mainstream rock FM stations during specialty night-time slots that focus on harder-edged music. Online radio streams dedicated to alternative genres also regularly include Untastbar in their automated playlists and curated shows.

Listeners can discover the powerful industrial rock of Untastbar on radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to various rock and alternative stations available on onairium.com to hear their classic hits and newer material in regular rotation.