The term was invented by the German music press after the release of the debut album Herzeleid (1995) by Rammstein.

It describes a crossover style that is influenced by German rock, industrial metal, alternative metal, groove metal, and hard rock combining it with elements from electronica and techno. The lyrics are generally in German. It uses the basic setup of instruments for metal: electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals, with keyboard, synthesizers and samples. Emphasis is on a demonstration of predominance, by over-pronouncing certain syllables and letters (such as the uvular or alveolar trill). The vocals are thus dominantly presenting in deep, male, and clean voice. Some bands use screaming and death growls, which is also common, being heard in certain songs by Oomph!, Rammstein, Stahlhammer (literally "Steel Hammer"), Samsas Traum and Megaherz . NDH imagery is often strongly masculine, dark, industrial, and at times militaristic, depending on the group and the song. Guitars are tuned low, usually to drop D or C, and are generally heavily distorted. Sometimes the bass tone is equalized to sound more like the sub-bass heard in techno music.