Genre: Heavy Metal
Like: Korn, Slipnot and Eisbrecher
The New York Times described Rammstein’s music as a “powerful strain of brutally intense rock…bringing gale-force music and spectacular theatrics together.”
I know, I know. How does a 21 year old college girl get involved with a German heavy metal band after writing about Meghan Trainor two weeks ago? Well, I’m a music industry management student, but this isn’t about me.
Sometimes you just need to rock the hell out and you just can’t escape the raw emotion and power behind Rammstein’s music.
Guitar Hero fans, remember the song “Du Hast? Head Coach Colleen Lamoreaux-Tate said.” The Rammstein lyric “Du Hast Mich” translates to “You Have Me.” The song is a played on German wedding vows. Aww, they’re so sweet.
Rammstein was formed in Schwerin, Germany in 1994.
The band consists of the terrifying Till Lindemann (lead vocals), Richard Z. Kruspe (guitar, backing vocals), Paul H. Landers (guitar, backing vocals), Oliver “Ollie” Riedel (bass guitar), Christoph “Doom” Schneider (drums and electronic percussion) and Christian “Flake” Lorenz (keyboards).
They are often categorized as “Neue Deutsche Härte” which translates to New German Hardness. Their music integrates styles like heavy metal, industrial and groove metal.
The majority of their music is in German. However, they are able to perform songs in English, Spanish, French and Russian depending on the audience. Talk about musical versatility!
I know I’ve probably scared half of you off by now, but for those still reading, Rammstein is more than an angry pack of buff dudes playing with fire and screaming into microphones.
Once you translate the songs, they’re actually quite emotional. The lyrics tell beautiful stories. My personal favorite is “Mein Herz Brennt (My Heart Burns)” on the album Mutter (Mother).
For your first taste, I’d recommend my favorites: “Mein Herz Brennt”, “Dalai Lama”, and “Engel (Angel).”
“Dalai Lama” is a tragic, yet beautiful song about a father and son in the crash of the Japan Airlines flight 123.
Listening to these beautiful stories told through Till’s hauntingly soothing, yet gritty and powerful voice will leave you absolutely mesmerized.