Rammstein
Biography
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band that formed in Berlin in 1994. The band's lineup has remained unchanged since its inception and consists of Till Lindemann (vocals), Richard Kruspe (lead guitar), Paul Landers (rhythm guitar), Oliver Riedel (bass), Christoph Schneider (drums), and Christian "Flake" Lorenz (keyboards). Before the band's formation, some members were involved in punk rock acts such as Feeling B and First Arsch.
Formation and Early Years
The foundation of Rammstein was laid by guitarist Richard Kruspe. In 1989, he escaped to West Berlin and started the band Orgasm Death Gimmick. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, he returned to Schwerin, where Till Lindemann was working and playing drums for the band First Arsch. Kruspe, along with Riedel and Schneider, started a new project in 1993 and persuaded Lindemann to join. They won a contest for amateur bands in Berlin, which allowed them to record a four-track demo. Paul Landers and Christian "Flake" Lorenz, both previously of Feeling B, were the last to join the group. Initially, the band was called Tempelprayers before settling on Rammstein, a name inspired by the 1988 Ramstein air show disaster.
Musical Style and Lyrics
Rammstein is considered a pioneer of the Neue Deutsche Härte genre, a style that blends industrial metal with hard rock and electronic elements. Their music is known for its powerful guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Lindemann's deep, commanding vocals. While their lyrics are predominantly in German, they have gained international fame. The band often tackles controversial and provocative themes, including love, hate, sexuality, religion, and social commentary. Their stage shows are as famous as their music, featuring extensive use of pyrotechnics, which has led fans to coin the motto, "Other bands play, Rammstein burns!".
Discography and Career
Herzeleid (1995)
The band signed with Motor Music and released their debut album, "Herzeleid," in September 1995, with Jacob Hellner as the producer. The first single was "Du riechst so gut." Although initial sales were slow, the album gained traction through their energetic live performances and eventually reached number six in Germany. They toured extensively, supporting bands like Clawfinger and Project Pitchfork.
Sehnsucht (1997)
Their second album, "Sehnsucht," released in 1997, propelled them to international stardom. It debuted at number one in Germany and Austria and included the hit singles "Engel" and "Du hast." The success of this album led to a worldwide tour that lasted nearly four years. Two of their songs were featured in David Lynch's film "Lost Highway," further increasing their visibility.
Mutter (2001)
Following the lengthy "Sehnsucht" tour, Rammstein released "Mutter" in 2001. The album was a critical and commercial success, topping the charts in Germany and Switzerland. It featured popular singles such as "Sonne," "Links 2 3 4," and "Ich will."
Reise, Reise (2004) and Rosenrot (2005)
Their fourth studio album, "Reise, Reise," was released in 2004 and reached number one in several European countries. Notable tracks include "Mein Teil," which was inspired by a German cannibalism case, and "Amerika," a critique of cultural imperialism. The following year, they released "Rosenrot," which also topped the charts in Germany, Austria, and Finland.
Liebe ist für alle da (2009)
Rammstein's sixth album, "Liebe ist für alle da," came out in 2009. Its lead single, "Pussy," became their first number-one hit in Germany, though its controversial music video generated significant debate.
Decade-long Hiatus and Return
After "Liebe ist für alle da," the band entered a recording hiatus but continued to tour, releasing a greatest hits album, "Made in Germany 1995–2011." A decade after their last studio album, they released an untitled album in 2019, which topped the charts in 14 countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band wrote and recorded their eighth studio album, "Zeit," which was released in April 2022.
Tours
Rammstein is renowned for their elaborate and pyrotechnic-filled live concerts. Some of their major tours include:
Herzeleid Tour (1995-1996)
This was the band's first major tour, consisting of 119 concerts primarily in Germany, but also included shows in other European countries.
Sehnsucht Tour (1997-2001)
Supporting their breakthrough album, this extensive tour included their first performances in the United States, as part of the Family Values Tour with Korn.
Mutter Tour (2001-2002)
A tour to support the "Mutter" album, featuring many of the album's tracks live.
Ahoi Tour (2004-2005)
This tour was in support of the "Reise, Reise" album.
Liebe ist für alle da Tour (2009-2011)
A worldwide tour to promote the album of the same name, which included sold-out shows in North America.
Europe Stadium Tour (2019-2024)
Following the release of their untitled album, Rammstein embarked on a massive stadium tour across Europe, known for its large-scale production.