Edit: 05/06/10

I would just like to say after some through listening my opinion of this product has improved. I still stand by what was said here (and the rating) and I still believe this is a poor place for new listeners to begin. However my overall opinion of the English vocals has lifted since writing this review and while I do agree that most of these songs are better in their native German as was originally stated I have at least learned to appreciate some of these songs (True Beauty is So Painful, The Final Match, Wake Up! Being the three I am really referring too).

As such while I still stand by my review I thought it only fair to edit this in to keep the review current with my opinion.

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So got the CD today and have listened to it twice. I would normally spend longer before reviewing a CD however if you are familiar with this project you know that every song on this CD is from previous works with the lyrics sung in English. Thus the only thing really in need of rating is how well Dero's vocals translate to English.

First let me say this, if your a big fan of Oomph! like me then you're going to enjoy this whether you like it as an actual musical entry or simply as a unique fling worth a few listens. As such big fans might as well just skip the reviews and buy the CD, you're going to like it.

For everyone else it really depends on how familiar you are with the band. Brand new listeners might really like it (though thats going to leave them out when they realize this was a one time thing) while older fans that have most of their discography and know the songs by heart are for the majority going to find this an interesting side-project but not something that should be done regularly. That is not of course to say there won't be those who like it or that there is anything wrong with that, I just feel the majority will view it as a fun little phase.

So how do the vocals translate? Anywhere between 'Well' to 'Poor', they never really drop to 'Abysmal' but neither do they come out on top as 'Brilliant', which is to bad because as we all know in their native language Oomph! has some of the best vocals in the genre. The issue stems from the fact that some songs just don't owe themselves to translation, what rhymes/coordinates with the music in German sounds out of place in English. Equally there are more than a few times where a once soaring vocal line is turned into a near rap mash-up of speed cadence to get the vocals in on time and a few occasions where the lyrics don't sync with the music AT ALL. In particular "Ready or Not (I'm Coming)", "God is a Popstar" and "On Course".

Thankfully this is not the case in every song as "Sandman" and "Burning Desire" make the translation well, "Dream Here" and "Labyrinth" also do an admirable job. However they just aren't enough to make up for some of the bad parts and NONE of them (save maybe Sandman) can truly compete with its original version. Thats why I say in the end it's more of a curio for long time fans than a truly creative compilation you HAVE to have.

Regardless as I said in the opening fans still owe themselves to picking it up as something unique to check out. New fans while you may enjoy it should probably check out Monster or one of their older CD's as this one would set their expectations in the wrong place.

Four stars, two because the music is still good, one because of the technical skill involved in the translation and another because Dero manages to do the vocals justice in a few songs which is more than can be said for other projects like this. One star off because its still not anything special and every song here is better in its original form on the CD it was from, plus despite the above statement the vocals also have plenty of issues.

alright to anybody who ever listen to oomph in German and knows German this really inst for you but for all people who like oomph for their German music you should love oomph in English just for the fact of actually understanding the lyrics without having to look up the lyrics on the internet and its a bit better to show your friends who are hesitant to experiment with foreign music the only complaint i would have is that it sounds a lot cooler in German just for the sheer fact of guttural language sound amazing with metal and to the fact of native tongue for something always sound better but Dero has practically no accent overall for my 5 stars but if you need more evidence to buy simply YouTube it PS sorry in advance for no punctuation horrid grammar and bad spelling

I was hesitant to get this cd because it is not in German, but I'm happy to say it is quite good. Some of the songs do loose a bit in translation, but overall this is a nice change.

OOMPH! Are quite excellent and very talented versatile artists. I do not speak a word of German, but nevertheless, I enjoy their music in both German and English. Some songs I like better in German and others I like better in English. I like both their old and new music. I recently came across this band and I love most of their songs. Dero sounds great singing in both languages and I love his voice as he has a wide range with what he can do with that great voice of his. I am very happy that they have made songs in both versions as it made me like them all the more. There is nothing not to love about this band. I've introduced quite a few people to OOMPH! and they (do not speak German either) are enjoying the music in both languages. In fact, because they make songs in both English and German, it was a smart move as it opens the range for reaching out to new fans, but it also helps to open up the German music scene to more people around the globe. I only stumbled upon them because a friend sent me a You Tube link to another German band "Eisbrecher" (they are good) and I saw a link to an OOMPH! video on the side for "Sandman" and it all took off from there and now I listen to them everyday. Now, of course, this lead me to "Rammstein" and "Emigrate" (which is a side-project in English from the guitarist in "Rammstein")."OOMPH!" is now my favorite band in the world and some of my favorite versions of some of their songs are from live performances.

With all of that said, look at having both versions of these songs as being something that offers you more, and most of all appreciate their efforts. I don't care who you are, it takes courage to sing outside of your native language, and courage is something this great band has as they don't stick to just one style of music; they are explorers! Now, if only we could get them to play in the United States, that would be awesome! :)

Now, this is a perspective from an American who does not speak German, though, I listen to various genres of music in many languages. I give this 5 stars!

While true that some songs are better with their original German lyrics, I applaud OOMPH! for doing this CD in English so we could understand it.

Crucified is probably my favorite, but there are many songs that are great.

I love Metallica, AC/DC and so on, and now I have found another truly GREAT Rock Band. I feel like a kid in a candy store!

THANK YOU OOMPH!