Rammstein

Though many of the metal or hard rock bands that most people are familiar with in the United States tend to hail from English-speaking countries, one group, Rammstein, has managed to put their mark on the scene while staying true to their German roots, with most of their songs sung in German. Since their debut in 1994, Rammstein has sold over 12 million records throughout the world, making them one of the most popular German-language bands ever. What makes Rammstein such a unique band is their dedication to their origins and their refusal to change their style due to influence from others.

German Band, German Music

Oliver Riedel, Christoph Schneider, and Richard Kruspe founded Rammstein after a failed attempt by Kruspe to create a band that was influenced by American tastes. According to Kruspe, the failure of his band previous to Rammstein prompted him to try to compose music that fit his language, something completely German. Adding vocalist Till Lindermann, Paul Landers on guitar, and Christian Lorenz on keyboards, the band swelled to six members and released their first album in 1994, starting their string of successes, including two Grammy awards for Best Metal Performance, in 1998 and 2005.

Aesthetic Senses

In addition to their hard rock and industrial sound, Rammstein is known for their distinct sense of style during their performances. Part of their fame comes from their elaborate stage shows, which often include pyrotechnics. Their use of pyrotechnics was fairly simple in early shows, when their effects consisted mostly of pouring kerosene around the stage and sitting it on fire. However, an accident in which flaming decorations fell on fans during a show in 1996 prompted the band to start using professionals for their effects; in addition to this, Lindermann has become a licensed pyrotechnic specialist.

The band also likes to use elaborate costumes in their show, bringing a sort of odd sense of humor to their shows. Rammstein has worn corsets and lederhosen, military uniforms, and has even worn diapers when promoting their 2001 album, Mutter. The theme for Rammstein seems to be to do everything as big and outlandish as possible. This doesn't come without consequences; Lindermann has suffered multiple burns from his pyrotechnic displays and Till hurt his knee when Lorenz ran into him on a Segway scooter.

Accusations From Others

Given their elaborate shows and outlandish costumes, it's no wonder that Rammstein has drawn criticism from those who promote morality. One show in Massachusetts resulted in an arrest for the band for using a liquid-squirting sex toy, for instance. They aren't immune in their own country either, having been accused of sympathizing with fascists due to the dark and militaristic imagery sometimes used in their songs and on stage shows. Despite this, Rammstein claims that it wants nothing to do with politics and don't agree with any sort of notions of Aryan supremacy.

Other controversies for the band stem from events in America, where the tragic Columbine school massacre led to accusations that the band influenced the two boys who did the killing. Conservative and Christian groups accused the band of influencing violence and encouraging Satanism. The band was once again forced to defend themselves against accusations after the Beslan hostage crisis in Russia, when hostage-takers reportedly listened to the band. Despite these criticisms, the band has repeatedly indicated that they don't seek to influence anyone to violence or extreme beliefs.

Looking To The Future

To date, Rammstein has released five albums in their time together, although in 2006 the band stopped making music together, choosing to take a break from the music scene for a while. Though they are not touring in 2007, the band has confirmed that they are getting back together to make a new album. From the history of Rammstein to date, the only things we can accurately predict about this new album is that it will continue to display German language, hard rock, and outlandish imagery.