It was a form of marching heavily associated with the prussian military tradition.

The idea is that when it done in formation it is very intimidating to hear and a demonstration of superior discipline.

Even the german word for the marching style: "Stechschritt" (literally stabbing step) hints at the idea of intimidation. The Wehrmacht both prior and after WWI retained its use as a celebration of Prussias military tradition.

However after WW2 it became assotiated with the WWII Wehrmacht and consequently fell into disuse. Though there is no law against it, it is still mostly considered associated with Nazis, at least in germany.

And that is something few germans, military or otherwise want to assotiate with.

Since they are uninhibited by the assotiation, it today almost exclusively used by armies that developed from soviet military traditions.