Rammstein
Rammstein
Caroline Records
Itβs been 10 years since German industrial metal powerhouse Rammstein released their last studio album. Their latest self-titled release is a collection of 11 highly-anticipated tracks that are a force to be reckoned with. This was worth the wait.
Rammstein have never been a band to shy away from controversy in their art, their first release from the album βDeutschlandβ (meaning Germany) sent fans and critics alike into a frenzy with the songβs contentious lyrics and music video. It details the struggle for Germans to find pride in their country despite the atrocities against humanity committed by Germany. The lyrics include the line βDeutschland, Deutschland ΓΌber allenβ which translates to βGermany, Germany over allβ a nod towards the first verse of the German national anthem, which is considered illegal to sing publicly as it was implemented by the Nazis during the Third Reich.
This album is packed full of powerful tracks with the quintessential Rammstein sound β driving and pulsating beats, a delicious blend of heavy metal guitars with amped up techno flare, great to both rock out and dance to. The two currently released singles βDeutschlandβ and βRadioβ are great examples of that, along with βTattooβ and βWeit Wegβ (meaning βfar awayβ), a track that definitely stands out on the album with its beautifully melodic rhythm and poetic lyrics.
βPuppeβ is a song that has also caused a recent stir among fans in particular to its highly unsettling lyrics. Translating to βpuppetβ or βdollβ, the song is about a young child whose sister gives them a doll to play with while she turns clients in the other room. Singer Till Lindemannβs voice is filled with such rage as he describes tearing the doll to pieces in the chorus. Disturbing though the song may be, itβs still wonderfully intense.
The one track that unfortunately doesnβt hit all the right notes for me is βAuslΓ€nderβ (or βforeignerβ). Though while itβs far from a bad song, itβs distinctively Europop sound seems out of place for Rammstein and simply not what Iβm looking for when it comes to the band. Though Rammstein has played around with a more mainstream pop sound in the past, it has always been done in a very tongue-in-cheek kind of way that isnβt present with this song.
Though this is not the best album that Rammstein has released, it certainly ranks up there with their greatest hits. This is exactly the kind of album I wanted to hear after their 10-year hiatus from the studio and yes, it is definitely worth the wait. This is the kind of album that unfolds in layers, where more of each song is revealed the more you listen and get deeper into the lyrics.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RAMMSTEIN – RAMMSTEIN
Samantha Wu