Hanzel Und Gretyl

Hanzel und Gretyl
Hanzel und Gretyl in 2010
Background information
Also known as	"HuG"
Origin	New York City
Genres	Neue Deutsche Härte, industrial metal, electro-industrial (early), extreme metal (later)
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Energy Records Metropolis Records
Website	Official Site
Members	Kaizer Von Loopy (guitar, vocals, programming) Vas Kallas (vocals, bass)
Past members	Chris Kling, Drums (Theo & the Skyscrapers) Anna K, Bass (Drain STH, Revolting Cocks) Mark Baker, Drums (Ministry) Joe Letz, Drums (Combichrist) Greta Brinkman, Bass (Moby, Debbie Harry) Jordan Marchini, Drums (Bella Morte) Acey Slade, Bass (Joan Jett, Murderdolls), Misfits (band)) Jon Osterman, Drums Fiona "Gingerbread" Doherty, Bass Louis "Seven" Echeverria, Drums Pat "5000" Wolff, Drums Robbie Whiplash, Drums

Hanzel und Gretyl are an American industrial metal band, formed by members Kaizer Von Loopy and Vas Kallas in February 1993. In the 1990s, their sound was described as a genre-defying blend of sci-fi metal/electronic and experimental, but into the new millennium they invoked a heavier sound leaning more towards aggressive metal. Due to their heavy use of German lyrics, Germanic imagery, and German-sounding pseudonyms, they are often mistaken for being a German band, and are largely regarded as the only existing American Neue Deutsche Härte band of note. Contrary to a generalized public perception, Kaizer Von Loopy and Vas Kallas are based in New York City to which they are native, and neither of them are German or of German descent.

Hanzel und Gretyl formed in early 1993. In April, 1994, they completed a demo entitled "Kindermusik". Of the 200 cassette tapes manufactured, most were sent to record labels and fanzines and some were sold on consignment at a local music store called Bleeker Bob's. In January 1995, after refusing offers from at least one major label to resubmit their demo with only English lyrics, they signed with Energy Records, an indie record label based in New York City. HuG recorded and released their first full-length album, Ausgeflippt, in October 1995. With lyrics in five different languages and no two songs sounding alike, the album made a clear statement as deviating from the often predictable and monochromatic themes of many electro and industrial bands of the time. The single "Shine 2001" topped the Alternative Press dance chart at No. 1 shortly after its release. Performing only several local shows on Manhattan's lower east side, they immediately embarked on two US tours with Marilyn Manson. The first in 1995 with Clutch as direct support and again in 1996 as direct support for Manson themselves.

In 1997, they released their second full-length album, Transmissions From Uranus, that featured a video game in which the object was to transform Loopy and Vas into alien-like insectoid space creatures. The enhanced CD was again cited for its progressive-minded musical stylings and groundbreaking technological advances. This led the band to tour the US extensively with Tommy Victor's Prong, giving them even broader exposure nationally. In between shows on Prong's Cold Fusion tour, Hanzel und Gretyl headlined a Halloween show in Des Moines, Iowa with hometown band Slipknot in direct support. During the same year, Hanzel und Gretyl's song "9D Galactik Center" appeared in New Line Cinema's Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and was also played at the 1997 MTV Music Awards. Furthermore, the song "Robot Logik" from the same album was used in radio commercials for the Howard Stern Show.