Industrial metal legends DIE KRUPPS have announced an exclusive tour EP. This hand-numbered collectors’ item, which is entitled “Will nicht – MUSS! / On Collision Course”, will be sold by the multiple genre-defining band on their upcoming 45th anniversary tour, which will kick off at the DVG Club in the famous Belgian medieval battle-town of Kortrijk tonight, on August 27.
Please see below for all currently announced DIE KRUPPS live dates.
The “Will nicht – MUSS! / On Collision Course” EP contains guest contributions and remixes from prominent musicians of renowned acts such as MINISTRY with whom DIE KRUPPS have just successfully toured in the US. As a first taste of the EP as well as of the upcoming new album, the Germans have released the advance single ‘On Collision Course’.
DIE KRUPPS comment: “You may be forgiven to think that ‘On Collision Course’ and ‘Will nicht – Muss!’, which translates into ‘don’t want to – have to’, could have been the working titles for our upcoming European tour”, Ralf Dörper quips. “In truth, the 45 years of influential sounds from Düsseldorf has been our guiding theme. In celebration of this anniversary, we have created this exclusive EP as a treat for all the dedicated fans coming to our concerts. It will give you an impression about what sound is currently happening in our steelworks as the above mentioned singles of the double-title will also provide a first and second taste of our upcoming album. The EP also includes some sonic glimpses of the experiences and friendships made on our recent US-tour with Ministry. Watch out for those remixes!”
Tracklist “Will nicht – MUSS! / On Collision Course”
- Will nicht – MUSS!
- On Collision Course
- Schattenzeit (Shadow Remix by Mark Thwaite)
- On Collision Course (Electro Remix by John Bechdel of Ministry)
- Will nicht – MUSS! (Wahre Arbeit Remix by Jürgen Engler & Chris Lietz)
- I Am the Storm (Mix by Cesar Soto of Ministry)
DIE KRUPPS have left a massive mark on the German electronic music scene and also created a massive impact around the globe. And they are not done with continuing their work at all. Although in the 45th year of their fascinating career, DIE KRUPPS are ready to take on the world with their forthcoming new studio album.
DIE KRUPPS were formed in Düsseldorf in 1980 by frontman Jürgen Engler and bass player Bernward Malaka, who had already played together in MALE – one of the first German punk rock bands. They were soon joined by electronic musician Ralf Dörper. At their core a German industrial and EBM band, their name was inspired by the famous Krupp steelworks, symbolizing industrial revolution, massive firepower, and the fusion of machine and music that defined the band’s style. Blending elements of electronic rhythms, heavy metal guitar riffs, and socio-political themes, DIE KRUPPS were pioneers of several genres including industrial, EBM, and industrial metal.
The early works of DIE KRUPPS, such as the debut album “Stahlwerksynfonie” (1981), were heavily experimental, drawing on industrial noise and mechanical soundscapes. With their sophomore full-length “Volle Kraft voraus!” (1982) and even more so with the previous single “Wahre Arbeit – Wahrer Lohn” (1981), the Germans delivered a musical blueprint for the developing EBM scene and its leading acts such as FRONT 242 and NITZER EBB.
During the 1990s, DIE KRUPPS incorporated more metal-oriented guitars, leading to a crossover industrial-metal style heard on albums like “I” (1992) and “II – The Final Option” (1993). Their blending of EBM sequences and heavy guitars influenced the German NDH (Neue Deutsche Härte) scene including RAMMSTEIN. This period gained DIE KRUPPS international recognition and collaborations, while the band also included EXODUS guitarist Lee Altus in their line-up at the time.
After a hiatus in the late 1990s, DIE KRUPPS reformed in the 2000s, resuming touring and releasing new material. Later albums, such as “The Machinists of Joy” (2013) and “Vision 2020 Vision” (2019), reaffirmed their position as a longstanding and influential act in the industrial and EBM scenes.
For 45 years, DIE KRUPPS have been synonymous with innovation, energy and uncompromising attitude. What Jürgen Engler as the driving creative force and composer and the visionary lyricist and sound artist Ralf Dörper have created is more than just music – it is a movement, a soundtrack for rebellion and change that has blurred the boundaries between EBM, industrial and metal. They are now joined by drummer extraordinaire Paul Keller and as the latast addition, guitarist Dylan Smith, who is well-known from his time with the legendary THE SISTERS OF MERCY. Smith brings a breath of fresh air and a special dynamic to the group, taking the band’s already powerful sound to a new level.
In 2025, DIE KRUPPS will celebrate this extraordinary anniversary with a new chapter: in 2026, their long-awaited new album will be released!
Line-up
Jürgen Engler – vocals, keyboards, guitars, steelophone
Ralf Dörper – keyboards
Dylan Smith – guitars
Paul Keller – drums
Guest contributions
Cesar Soto – additional guitar on ‘I Am the Storm’
Mark Thwaite – additional beats & programming on ‘Schattenzeit Remix’
Ashley Bad – additional drums & synth on ‘Schattenzeit Remix’
John Bechdel – additional drums & keys on ‘On Collision Course Remix’
27 AUG 2025 Kortrijk (BE) DVG Club +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
28 AUG 2025 Düsseldorf (DE) Zakk +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
29 AUG 2025 Frankfurt (DE) Zoom +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
30 AUG 2025 Hamburg (DE) Uebel & Gefährlich +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
31 AUG 2005 Herford (DE) Kulturwerk +Johnny Tupolev +Erdling
02 SEP 2025 Warszawa (PL) Hybrydy +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
03 SEP 2025 Krakow (PL) Hype Park +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
05 SEP 2025 München (DE) Backstage Halle +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
06 SEP 2025 Lindau (DE) Club Vaudeville +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
07 SEP 2025 Ljubljana (SI) Orto Hall +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
09 SEP 2025 Budapest (HU) Dürer Kert +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
10 SEP 2025 Wien (AT) Szene +Johnny Tupolev +Dymytry
11 SEP 2025 Praha (CZ) Rock Cafe +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
12 SEP 2025 Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
13 SEP 2025 Nürnberg (DE) Hirsch +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
14 SEP 2025 Berlin (DE) Columbia Theater +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
16 SEP 2025 Stockholm (SE) Nalen +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
17 SEP 2025 København (DK) Pumpehuset +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
18 SEP 2025 Hannover (DE) Musikzentrum +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
19 SEP 2025 Oberhausen (DE) Kulttempel +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
20 SEP 2025 Uden (NL) De Pul +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
21 SEP 2025 London (UK) Underworld +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
23 SEP 2025 Aachen (DE) Musikbunker +Johnny Tupolev +Erdling
24 SEP 2025 Paris (FR) Let Petit Bain +Johnny Tupolev +Jesus on Extasy
25 SEP 2025 Trier (DE) Forum +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
26 SEP 2025 Pratteln (CH) Z7 +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
27 SEP 2025 Stuttgart (DE) Im Wizemann +Johnny Tupolev +Erdling
28 SEP 2025 Dresden (DE) Beatpol +Johnny Tupolev +Schattenmann
Photo Credit Thomas Ecke
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