Rammstein, one of Germany’s most famous acts, is a phenomenon. Playing in the style dubbed as Tanz-Metal (dance metal), the band is recognizable by its intense industrial sound, soloist Till Lindemann’s brutal vocals and grinding metal guitars. Other Rammstein’s trademarks include controversial lyrics on all kinds of taboo subjects – from rape to cannibalism, music videos bursting with striking imagery and action, and notorious gigs featuring outlandish costumes and pyrotechnics.
The six musicians formed the band in 1994 in Berlin. They took the name from the German town of Ramstein-Miesenbach, the site of a 1988 air-show disaster. Rammstein quickly hit the mark with their sound and style. After the release of debut “Herzeleid,” the band was propelled to international fame when Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails frontman), chose to include two of their songs in the soundtrack for David Lynch’s film “Lost Highway.” Their following album, “Sehnsucht,” featured one of the band’s major hits – “Du Hast.”
The release of 2002’s “Mutter” led to a breakthrough in Rammstein’s musical career. More than half of its songs became instant hits including “Links 234,” “Ich Will” and the eponymous “Mutter.” But the song getting the biggest play was “Sonne,” accompanied by a colorful “Snowhite and Seven Gnomes” spin-off music video.
The two records that followed – “Reise, Reise” and “Rosenrot” – saw Rammstein noticeably repeating themselves, though they still managed to record some interesting tracks such as “Amerika,” “Keine Lust” and “Benzin.” In 2006 Rammstein took a creative break but quickly regained strength and were back to work next year. To quickly return into spotlight and preview their newest album “Liebe ist Fur Alle Da,” the band released its newest video straight to the adult website Visit-x. Full of nudity and sexual scenes, it was naturally unfit for television. But fans and the merely curious rushed to check it out online.
Also, just recently I caught it on Enter Music, a Ukrainian channel. But it was shown after midnight and censored. Thus having created a scandal, Rammstein continued their triumphant procession and world tour. An epitome of German rockers with their aggressive masculinity and hardcore attitude, Rammstein is deliberately wacky, risque, fearless and dedicated to their craft – always giving 100 percent in the studio and onstage.
International Expo Center (Livoberezhna metro station).
March 9, 7 p.m. Tickets Hr 500 to Hr 2,200.
