The German industrial metal outfit Rammstein has always been known for pushing the envelope. For a band that's nearly 15 years old, one would have thought that nothing's shocking anymore. Yet once again, they've managed to turn heads their way with their latest album, Liebe ist für alle da.
After being somewhat under the radar for the past four years, they released a music video for their lead single "Pussy," which put their name right back into the spotlight. Blurring the line between music video and straight up porno, this video was definitely the right selection for a single since it got people talking and spreading it around. In a recent interview one of the band members said that there had been 12 million views in just two weeks! The song however, is also arguably the worst on the album. This isn't to say that it is a bad song by any means, it is just clearly a fun party song, whereas the rest of the album has a much more intricate and dark sound to it.
"Rammlied," the album's opener, really sets the mood by building slowly from what sounds like a religious sermon into the unforgiving, heavy riffage that is trademark Rammstein. Having been off the radar for four years, this song is their triumphant announcement that they have returned. "The ones who wait with prudence/ will be rewarded at the right time/now the waiting has ended/lend your ear to a legend/Rammstein!" (Translation from German by Affenknecht.com).
They don't let their guard down for a second as they power through the album's next two tracks, "Ich tu dir weh" and "Waidmann's Heil." Next up is "Haifisch" which has a large, stomping beat and a catchy chorus which will no doubt get your head bopping. This is the kind of song you would go running to, or drive to, and feel like a total badass.
Besides the riffs, the other most recognizable Rammstein trait is the voice of Till Lindemann, the band's singer. He really gives us a lot of range on this album, from his commanding chants to his terryfing screams, and even some peaceful singing. "Frülung in Paris" is a slower ballad which has a chorus that reminds me of a sequel to "Seemann" from their first album.
The only song I can't really seem to get into on this album is "Mehr." To me, it feels like too much of the same without bringing anything new or necessarily interesting to the table. It is still distinctly Rammstein, but it is the only track which I felt like didn't have that extra "UMPH" that makes the rest of this album so great.
The album maintains its pace throughout, until the final track, "Rotersand." A massive departure and new direction for the band, this is the perfect closer for the album. It features a little whistled tune in the beginning that shows up throughout the song which gives it a sort of Wild West atmosphere. Dropping the heavy beats and crushing guitars for a couple soft riffs and light orchestration, the track is dark and beautiful.
Things don't stop there. For those who still haven't picked up this album, I strongly recommend grabbing the two disk deluxe version. It features five extra songs, and each one is great. I would have liked to hear the tracks "Führe Mich" and "Donaukinder" on the real album, perhaps in place of "Mehr" and "Fruhling in Paris." The bonus disk also features two "alternate versions" of "Rotersand," the first with alternate instrumentation and the second with the same alternate instrumentation, but this time complete with entirely new lyrics. Seeing as "Rotersand" is one of my favorite tracks on the album, I was really happy to have so many versions of it so that I wouldn't have to ruin just one by playing it over and over again too much.
Overall, this album is great. Believe the hype. Give it a listen. Nobody does heavy like Rammstein. They have created their own world with this album, and I urge you to go and visit.
Recommended Tracks: "Rammlied", "Haifisch", "Rotersand", "Donaukinder"(from bonus disk), "Liebe Liese" (from bonus disk)
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