Rammstein are not only one of the most successful German-language bands in their home country, but also one of the few German music exports that are also successful on an international level. Founded in Berlin in the mid-1990s, the sextet developed into a top-class act on the German music scene, whose trademarks are brute sound, controversial lyrics, polarising video productions and spectacular stage shows.
The Rammstein success story begins with Richard Kruspe from Schwerin, who forms a punk band after the fall of the Wall with frontman Till Lindemann, who also grew up in East Germany. After various joint band projects, the six-piece band Rammstein finally formed within a few years. Their debut album "Herzeleid" was released in 1995 and paved the way for the group's downright meteoric rise to the top of the German and international music scene.
Unmistakable, brute and catchy: The typical Rammstein sound
In contrast to many other Berlin bands of the early 1990s, Rammstein did not follow the example of US or English-speaking bands in their founding phase, but established their very own style. Over the years, this - as well as the breathtaking Rammstein live shows - develops into the band's unmistakable trademark.
The catchy lyrics, together with the often pounding rhythm of the music, ensure that fans all over the world speak at least a few words of German - whether in Beijing, Saint Petersburg, Sydney or New York: "Feuer frei!" or "Du. You have. You got me." passes the lips of enthusiastic Rammstein listeners in all parts of the world with equal ease.
Legendary events that take your breath away: Rammstein's live shows
Whether as part of festivals or live tours: Tickets for Rammstein's performances are coveted, because the shows are a spectacle without equal, not only in terms of sound. Thus, the band's performances provide "dynamite" in the truest sense of the word. A fixed component of every Rammstein tour is the use of pyrotechnics and spectacular light effects in lavish abundance, which underline the band's typical sound in the most impressive way.
It is no wonder that Rammstein's live shows have developed into a real export hit in the course of their career: No other German-language band records more success internationally and fills larger halls and arenas!
Record-breaking: Rammstein's discography of superlatives
After first appearances in clubs and at smaller concerts, Rammstein lament their "heartbreak" to a wide audience for the first time with their first longplayer in 1995. With songs like "Du riechst so gut", "Asche zu Asche", "Seemann" or "Rammstein", the band plays itself unmistakably and impressively into the ears of critics and fans with its very own sound.
Just two years later, Rammstein's second record, "Sehnsucht", takes direct first place in the German album charts. Songs like "Engel", "Tier", "Du hast" or "Bück dich" polarise and fascinate in equal measure - and give the sextet their commercial breakthrough. With their subsequent albums, too, the band plays its way straight to the top of the charts and is also an internationally established musical force with a large fan base.
Although Rammstein do not release a new album for a whole ten years after "Liebe ist für alle da", which is released in 2009, this does not detract from their success: the band has long since achieved cult status as probably the best-known and most popular music export "Made in Germany".
After a ten-year album break, Rammstein's seventh smash hit will be released in 2019
With their self-titled album, Till Lindemann (vocals, harmonica), Richard Kruspe (lead guitar), Paul Landers (background vocals, rhythm guitar), Christian "Flake" Lorenz (keyboard, piano, synthesiser), Oliver Riedel (bass) and Christoph Schneider (drums, percussion) finally return in spring 2019 and manage to set off musical fireworks with their usual explosive power.
In Germany and 13 other countries, "Rammstein" goes straight to the top of the album charts. In the USA, the record made it into the Top 10 of the Billboard charts for the first time in the band's history. In the first week of sales, the record sold 270,000 copies, making it the most successful new release by a band in Germany since the turn of the millennium.
To the delight of their fans, Rammstein did not make them wait another ten years for the release of their self-titled or untitled eighth album, but only three. Time" will be released in 2022 with songs like "Zick Zack" and "Dicke Titten". The output raises some questions. The title track says: "Quit when it's at its best ...". The album's last song, "Adieu" also leads to rumours and fears about whether Rammstein might want to retire soon.
Happily, however, there is no sign of this on the European Stadium Tour, which begins in 2019 and continues into 2022. Instead, it becomes clear once again: Rammstein live is nothing less than an elemental force and the measure of all things in terms of show - in Germany as well as internationally. Till Lindemann and the other band members have the joy of playing and the mischievous fun of the overwhelming, pyro-effect-rich production written all over their faces. No, Rammstein must not stop yet and will hopefully stay with us for a very long "time".
The Rammstein albums in chronological overview:
- 1995: "Herzeleid"
- 1997: "Sehnsucht"
- 1999: "Live aus Berlin" (live album)
- 2001: "Mutter"
- 2004: "Reise, Reise"
- 2005: "Rosenrot"
- 2006: "Völkerball" (live album)
- 2009: "Liebe ist für alle da"
- 2017: "Rammstein: Paris" (live album)
- 2019: "Rammstein"
- 2022: "Zeit"
Rammstein: frequently asked questions
How and when was Rammstein formed?
Rammstein is launched in 1994 by lead guitarist Richard Kruspe. Initially, the band consists of Kruspe and his two Berlin roommates Oliver Riedel and Christoph Schneider. Later, Till Lindemann joins as singer and lyricist.
What do you call Rammstein's music genre?
Rammstein is considered an important representative of Neue Deutsche Härte (NDH). The music of the band, founded in Berlin in 1994, combines elements of hard rock and alternative metal with electronic music, techno and spoken word. Especially on the newer albums, the band, which describes its style as "dance metal", experiments with other musical styles and also exotic instruments such as pan flutes or French horns.
Which is the most successful Rammstein song?
The song "Engel" lasted a whole 25 weeks in the German charts and is also Rammstein's most successful single release in Austria (18 weeks) and Switzerland (14 weeks). In the UK, "Ich will" is the band's biggest hit, while "Mein Teil" is the most successful in Norway and "Amerika" in Denmark.
