That’s how it was with NACHTMAHR

Automatic translation. Improvements are constantly being worked on.

Support: Phosgore, Reaper
Oberhausen, Kulttempel, November 21, 2025

Usually, a big cake, lots of relatives to congratulate and maybe even the first car financed by the parents are all part of the coming-of-age celebration. So far, so boring. When Thomas Rainer’s Nachtmahr project turns 18, things look a little different. There were two special shows in Oberhausen and Dresden, which were advertised in advance with uninhibited hedonism and debauchery on the path of the forbidden. Perhaps not quite so family-friendly.

On this November 21st at the Kulttempel in Oberhausen, with a crispy cold 2 degrees outside temperature, the birthday began at 19:00 for the lucky ones who were able to get hold of a ticket for the sold-out fan meeting in time. This gave them the opportunity to chat with the band and other fans before the concert began, to have a picture taken of themselves and their companions in the photo corner provided as a souvenir and also to get rid of one or two souvenirs – after all, you can never go wrong with a dry wine. Nachtmahr presented themselves as the perfect hosts and took plenty of time for chats and selfies with the attendees, some of whom were dressed up in uniforms, before the doors were opened to the rest of the audience at 8 pm.

About half an hour later, Phosgore opened the stage as the first support act. The project, which was founded in 2008 and impresses with its uncompromising sound and hard electronic beats, pounded its bass into the furthest corners of the venue with bangers like “20 Ways to Kill Someone”. To mark the occasion of the evening, they had of course brought “presents” with them and threw condoms with the words “don’t fuck with Phosgore” into the crowd to match the track “Fuck You”.

There was no respite for the party crowd. Because at half past nine, the party continued with Reaper, who took to the stage in martial make-up. Songs like “The Devil Is Female” not only had to be danced to, but also shouted along to. There wasn’t much time to chat between songs: “The train has no brakes – we don’t have time.” Fortunately, there was enough time to perform a new version of the hit “Robuste Maschinen”, which was met with endless enthusiasm.

During the changeover for the main act, a visit to the bar or the merch stand helped to lower the pulse rate to normal levels. Gathering strength for the “Supreme Commander”, for which some supporters had actually traveled more than three hours.

Then the big moment arrived and Nachtmahr took to the stage to thunderous applause and cheering with “Wir schreiben Geschichte”. And with 18 years of history under their belt, it wasn’t that far-fetched. Thomas Rainer announced the second piece, “Tanzdiktator”, with the words that “this is probably the one with which we have made the most history”. In addition to mastermind Thomas and Vrolok LaVey, every successful live performance of the project naturally also includes the “girls in uniform”. Thenia and Kat were actively supported on this evening by performer Ostara, who put on an impressive performance, especially as a vampire to “Immortal”. Fake blood included. Musically, the audience was taken on a journey through 18 years of Nachtmahr songs. From the beginnings with “Ein Spiel”, which Thomas published on MySpace at the time with the intention that it should not be associated with L’Âme Immortelle, as he explained before the song started, to political statements against Nazis such as “Die Fahnen unserer Väter”, to which the ladies waved flags, to current songs such as “Sirenen”. The audience was also delighted to be able to enjoy the as yet unreleased new track “Der Schlaf” for the first time. Shortly before the end, Kat and Thenia gave it their all again on the drums for “Katharsis”, leaving the audience on the verge of tendonitis. The encore took place without the usual exit from the stage that you usually see from musicians, but with a short announcement from the boss so that nobody would claim afterwards that it hadn’t happened – anyone can do normal. With “Schwarzflug” and “Helden”, they bid farewell to a successful party and into the final “EBM meets Synth & Future Pop” after-show party at the Kulttempel. So you can actually celebrate your coming of age without a cake.

Text: Fabienne Wiedmann
Photos: blende666

Setlist:
– “Wir schreiben Geschichte” – “Tanzdiktator” – “Weil ich’s kann” – “Deus Ex Machina” – “Ein Spiel” – “Karussell” – “Mädchen in Uniform” – “Nicht wie sie” – “The Sleep” – “Rise and Fall” – “The Flags of Our Fathers” – “Love, Lust and Sorrow” – “Sirens” – “No songs” – “Firmament” – “Murderer” – “Can You Feel The Beat?” – “Catharsis” — “Black Flight” – “Heroes”