Rammstein (lit. "ramming stone") is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band forme… Read Full Bio ↴Rammstein (lit. "ramming stone") is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band formed in Berlin in 1994. The band's lineup—consisting of lead vocalist Till Lindemann, lead guitarist Richard Kruspe, rhythm guitarist Paul Landers, bassist Oliver Riedel, drummer Christoph Schneider, and keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz—has remained unchanged throughout their history, along with their approach to songwriting, which consists of Lindemann writing and singing the lyrics over instrumental pieces the rest of the band has completed beforehand. Prior to their formation, some members were associated with the punk rock acts Feeling B and First Arsch.
After winning a local contest, Rammstein was able to record demos and send them to different record labels, eventually signing with Motor Music. Working with producer Jacob Hellner, they released their debut album Herzeleid in 1995. Though the album initially sold poorly, the band gained popularity through their live performances and the album eventually reached No. 6 in Germany. Their second album, Sehnsucht, was released in 1997 and debuted at No. 1 in Germany, resulting in a worldwide tour lasting nearly four years and spawning the successful singles "Engel" and "Du hast" and the live album Live aus Berlin (1999). Following the tour, Rammstein signed with major label Universal Music and released Mutter in 2001. Six singles were released from the album, all charting in countries throughout Europe. The lead single, "Sonne", reached No. 2 in Germany. Rammstein released Reise, Reise in 2004 and had two more singles reach No. 2 in Germany: "Mein Teil" and "Amerika"; the former song reached No. 1 in Spain, becoming their first No. 1 single.
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Their fifth album, Rosenrot, was released in 2005, and the lead single, "Benzin", reached No. 6 in Germany. Their second live album, Völkerball, was released in 2006. The band released their sixth album, Liebe ist für alle da, in 2009, with its lead single, "Pussy", becoming their first No. 1 hit in Germany despite having a controversial music video that featured hardcore pornography. The band then entered a recording hiatus and toured for several years, releasing the Made in Germany greatest hits album as well as the Rammstein in Amerika and Paris live albums. After a decade without new music, Rammstein returned in 2019 with the song "Deutschland", which became their second No. 1 hit in Germany. Their untitled seventh studio album was released in May 2019 and reached No. 1 in 14 countries. While sheltering during COVID-19 lockdowns, the band spontaneously wrote and recorded their eighth studio album, Zeit, which was released in April 2022.
Rammstein was one of the first bands to emerge within the Neue Deutsche Härte genre, with their debut album leading the music press to coin the term, and their style of music has generally had a positive reception from music critics. Commercially, the band has been very successful, earning many No. 1 albums as well as gold and platinum certifications in countries around the world. Their grand live performances, which often feature pyrotechnics, have contributed to the growth in their popularity. Despite success, the band has been subject to some controversies, with their overall image having been criticized; for instance, the song "Ich tu dir weh" forced its parent album Liebe ist für alle da to be re-released in Germany with the song removed due to its sexually explicit lyrics.
Musical style and lyrics
Rammstein is considered a Neue Deutsche Härte band, and is also often described as industrial metal. Other descriptions include hard rock and gothic metal, as well as nu metal, alternative metal, symphonic metal, progressive metal, and "techno metal". Rammstein was traditionally inspired by bands such as the Slovenian group Laibach, known for its provocative songs, often citing political symbols of the far-right and whose music style also combines different genres, or the German rock band Oomph! However, the band members don't see a real connection to Laibach – apart from the similarity in vocal style which Flake Lorenz admitted in a Viva interview from 1997. In the same interview Richard Kruspe said: "For me, Laibach is a very, very intellectual story. Rammstein is much more emotional for me – in the beginning. And I can't do anything with that intellect that Laibach uses."
Live performances
Since their early years, Rammstein are particularly known for their over-the-top live performances, making such extensive use of pyrotechnics that fans eventually coined the motto, "Other bands play, Rammstein burns!". Following an accident in Berlin on 27 September 1996, in which some burning decorative parts of the stage collapsed, the band started using professionals to handle the pyrotechnics. Lindemann subsequently qualified as a licensed pyrotechnician, and often spends entire songs engulfed in flames. He has suffered multiple burns on his ears, head, and arms.
The band's stage costumes are also known for being outlandish. During the Reise, Reise Tour, they wore lederhosen, corsets, and military-inspired uniforms with German steel helmets; during the Mutter Tour, the group kept to the themes of the album artwork and descended onto the stage from a giant uterus while wearing diapers. During the Völkerball concert, among others, Lindemann changed costumes between songs and dressed accordingly for each. For example, for the song "Mein Teil", he was dressed as a blood-soaked chef; in "Reise, Reise", he dressed as a sailor. The rest of the band each wore their own preferred costume, but none quite as bizarre as Till's. The band's flair for costumes is evident in their music videos as well as their live shows. In the "Keine Lust" video, all members except Lorenz are dressed in fat suits. In the "Amerika" video, all members of the band wear astronaut costumes.
Since the Mutter Tour in 2001, Rammstein have worked with stage designer Roy Bennett, who helped the band in developing the look of the stages. With the Ahoi Tour in 2004/2005, the band began using a two-level stage, with half the band playing the lower level and the other half on the upper level. At this tour, the upper level rose over 2 meters above the stage floor and had an oval entrance just beneath the drums. At both sides of the upper level, a special lift made it possible for the band members to access both stage levels.
On the Liebe ist für alle da Tour in 2009, the new stage still had a two-level design. This time, however, the upper level only had about half the height as on the previous tour. Stage entrance was possible by a hydraulic ramp in the middle of the stage floor. At each end of the upper level, stairs were placed in order to gain access to both levels. This tour included not only the extensive use of pyrotechnics, but also a massive lighting show, such as the band's logo lit up as big lamps on four enormous collapsible towers, forming the industrial backdrop of the set and being capable of different lighting effects.
During the arena shows of the Made in Germany 1995-2011 Tour, the stage was slightly altered with new set pieces such as a large industrial fan as well as new backdrops. The most noticeable addition was a long catwalk, connecting the main stage to a smaller stage in the middle of the audience. During the 2013 festival leg of the tour, the bridge and smaller stage were omitted. For the 2016 Festival Tour, the band kept the stage itself mostly unchanged, though had the entire lighting rig changed completely. According to Kruspe, the onstage antics are meant to get people's attention and have fun at the same time; Rammstein's motto, according to Schneider, is "do your own thing and overdo it"
Members
Since forming in 1994, Rammstein have retained a constant line-up. Richard Kruspe had said in a Revolver Magazine interview that it is because of the band respecting each other's wishes to take a break, either for personal reasons or to focus on a side project. Members of the band have had side projects that they take part in during Rammstein's inactivity. Kruspe currently fronts the group Emigrate while Till Lindemann began his project Lindemann in 2015.
Till Lindemann – lead vocals, harmonica
Richard Kruspe – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Landers – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Oliver Riedel – bass guitar
Christoph Schneider – drums, percussion
Christian "Flake" Lorenz – keyboards, samples, synthesizers, trumpet, programming
Studio albums
Herzeleid (1995)
Sehnsucht (1997)
Mutter (2001)
Reise, Reise (2004)
Rosenrot (2005)
Liebe ist für alle da (2009)
Rammstein (2019)
Zeit (2022)
After winning a local contest, Rammstein was able to record demos and send them to different record labels, eventually signing with Motor Music. Working with producer Jacob Hellner, they released their debut album Herzeleid in 1995. Though the album initially sold poorly, the band gained popularity through their live performances and the album eventually reached No. 6 in Germany. Their second album, Sehnsucht, was released in 1997 and debuted at No. 1 in Germany, resulting in a worldwide tour lasting nearly four years and spawning the successful singles "Engel" and "Du hast" and the live album Live aus Berlin (1999). Following the tour, Rammstein signed with major label Universal Music and released Mutter in 2001. Six singles were released from the album, all charting in countries throughout Europe. The lead single, "Sonne", reached No. 2 in Germany. Rammstein released Reise, Reise in 2004 and had two more singles reach No. 2 in Germany: "Mein Teil" and "Amerika"; the former song reached No. 1 in Spain, becoming their first No. 1 single.
f
Their fifth album, Rosenrot, was released in 2005, and the lead single, "Benzin", reached No. 6 in Germany. Their second live album, Völkerball, was released in 2006. The band released their sixth album, Liebe ist für alle da, in 2009, with its lead single, "Pussy", becoming their first No. 1 hit in Germany despite having a controversial music video that featured hardcore pornography. The band then entered a recording hiatus and toured for several years, releasing the Made in Germany greatest hits album as well as the Rammstein in Amerika and Paris live albums. After a decade without new music, Rammstein returned in 2019 with the song "Deutschland", which became their second No. 1 hit in Germany. Their untitled seventh studio album was released in May 2019 and reached No. 1 in 14 countries. While sheltering during COVID-19 lockdowns, the band spontaneously wrote and recorded their eighth studio album, Zeit, which was released in April 2022.
Rammstein was one of the first bands to emerge within the Neue Deutsche Härte genre, with their debut album leading the music press to coin the term, and their style of music has generally had a positive reception from music critics. Commercially, the band has been very successful, earning many No. 1 albums as well as gold and platinum certifications in countries around the world. Their grand live performances, which often feature pyrotechnics, have contributed to the growth in their popularity. Despite success, the band has been subject to some controversies, with their overall image having been criticized; for instance, the song "Ich tu dir weh" forced its parent album Liebe ist für alle da to be re-released in Germany with the song removed due to its sexually explicit lyrics.
Musical style and lyrics
Rammstein is considered a Neue Deutsche Härte band, and is also often described as industrial metal. Other descriptions include hard rock and gothic metal, as well as nu metal, alternative metal, symphonic metal, progressive metal, and "techno metal". Rammstein was traditionally inspired by bands such as the Slovenian group Laibach, known for its provocative songs, often citing political symbols of the far-right and whose music style also combines different genres, or the German rock band Oomph! However, the band members don't see a real connection to Laibach – apart from the similarity in vocal style which Flake Lorenz admitted in a Viva interview from 1997. In the same interview Richard Kruspe said: "For me, Laibach is a very, very intellectual story. Rammstein is much more emotional for me – in the beginning. And I can't do anything with that intellect that Laibach uses."
Live performances
Since their early years, Rammstein are particularly known for their over-the-top live performances, making such extensive use of pyrotechnics that fans eventually coined the motto, "Other bands play, Rammstein burns!". Following an accident in Berlin on 27 September 1996, in which some burning decorative parts of the stage collapsed, the band started using professionals to handle the pyrotechnics. Lindemann subsequently qualified as a licensed pyrotechnician, and often spends entire songs engulfed in flames. He has suffered multiple burns on his ears, head, and arms.
The band's stage costumes are also known for being outlandish. During the Reise, Reise Tour, they wore lederhosen, corsets, and military-inspired uniforms with German steel helmets; during the Mutter Tour, the group kept to the themes of the album artwork and descended onto the stage from a giant uterus while wearing diapers. During the Völkerball concert, among others, Lindemann changed costumes between songs and dressed accordingly for each. For example, for the song "Mein Teil", he was dressed as a blood-soaked chef; in "Reise, Reise", he dressed as a sailor. The rest of the band each wore their own preferred costume, but none quite as bizarre as Till's. The band's flair for costumes is evident in their music videos as well as their live shows. In the "Keine Lust" video, all members except Lorenz are dressed in fat suits. In the "Amerika" video, all members of the band wear astronaut costumes.
Since the Mutter Tour in 2001, Rammstein have worked with stage designer Roy Bennett, who helped the band in developing the look of the stages. With the Ahoi Tour in 2004/2005, the band began using a two-level stage, with half the band playing the lower level and the other half on the upper level. At this tour, the upper level rose over 2 meters above the stage floor and had an oval entrance just beneath the drums. At both sides of the upper level, a special lift made it possible for the band members to access both stage levels.
On the Liebe ist für alle da Tour in 2009, the new stage still had a two-level design. This time, however, the upper level only had about half the height as on the previous tour. Stage entrance was possible by a hydraulic ramp in the middle of the stage floor. At each end of the upper level, stairs were placed in order to gain access to both levels. This tour included not only the extensive use of pyrotechnics, but also a massive lighting show, such as the band's logo lit up as big lamps on four enormous collapsible towers, forming the industrial backdrop of the set and being capable of different lighting effects.
During the arena shows of the Made in Germany 1995-2011 Tour, the stage was slightly altered with new set pieces such as a large industrial fan as well as new backdrops. The most noticeable addition was a long catwalk, connecting the main stage to a smaller stage in the middle of the audience. During the 2013 festival leg of the tour, the bridge and smaller stage were omitted. For the 2016 Festival Tour, the band kept the stage itself mostly unchanged, though had the entire lighting rig changed completely. According to Kruspe, the onstage antics are meant to get people's attention and have fun at the same time; Rammstein's motto, according to Schneider, is "do your own thing and overdo it"
Members
Since forming in 1994, Rammstein have retained a constant line-up. Richard Kruspe had said in a Revolver Magazine interview that it is because of the band respecting each other's wishes to take a break, either for personal reasons or to focus on a side project. Members of the band have had side projects that they take part in during Rammstein's inactivity. Kruspe currently fronts the group Emigrate while Till Lindemann began his project Lindemann in 2015.
Till Lindemann – lead vocals, harmonica
Richard Kruspe – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Landers – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Oliver Riedel – bass guitar
Christoph Schneider – drums, percussion
Christian "Flake" Lorenz – keyboards, samples, synthesizers, trumpet, programming
Studio albums
Herzeleid (1995)
Sehnsucht (1997)
Mutter (2001)
Reise, Reise (2004)
Rosenrot (2005)
Liebe ist für alle da (2009)
Rammstein (2019)
Zeit (2022)
Asche zu Asche
Rammstein Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warmer Körper (Warmer Körper)
Heißes Kreuz (Heißes Kreuz)
Falsches Urteil (Falsches Urteil)
Kaltes Grab (Kaltes Grab)
Auf dem Kreuze lieg' ich jetzt
Sie schlagen mir die Nägel ein
Das Feuer wäscht die Seele reinUnd übrig bleibt ein Mundvoll
Asche, Asche
Ich komm wieder (Ich komm wieder)
In zehn Tagen (Ich komm wieder)
Als dein Schatten (Ich komm wieder)
Und werd dich jagen (Ich komm wieder)
Heimlich werd ich auferstehen
Und du wirst um Gnade flehen
Dann knie ich mich in dein Gesicht
Und steck den Finger in die Asche
Asche, Asche
Asche,
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Und Staub zu Staub, ja
Heimlich werd ich auferstehen
Und du wirst um Gnade flehen
Dann knie ich mich in dein Gesicht
Und steck den Finger in die
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Und Staub zu Staub
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Und Staub zu Staub
Heißes Kreuz (Heißes Kreuz)
Falsches Urteil (Falsches Urteil)
Kaltes Grab (Kaltes Grab)
Auf dem Kreuze lieg' ich jetzt
Sie schlagen mir die Nägel ein
Das Feuer wäscht die Seele reinUnd übrig bleibt ein Mundvoll
Asche, Asche
Ich komm wieder (Ich komm wieder)
In zehn Tagen (Ich komm wieder)
Als dein Schatten (Ich komm wieder)
Und werd dich jagen (Ich komm wieder)
Heimlich werd ich auferstehen
Und du wirst um Gnade flehen
Dann knie ich mich in dein Gesicht
Und steck den Finger in die Asche
Asche, Asche
Asche,
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Und Staub zu Staub, ja
Heimlich werd ich auferstehen
Und du wirst um Gnade flehen
Dann knie ich mich in dein Gesicht
Und steck den Finger in die
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Und Staub zu Staub
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Asche zu Asche
Und Staub zu Staub
The lyrics to Rammstein's song Asche zu Asche describe the idea of revenge and the desire to be reborn after death. The opening verse speaks about a physical body being subjected to punishment and eventually death. The imagery of the cross and the judgment symbolize the religious context in which this process takes place. The second verse focuses on the idea of being reborn, as the singer promises to return as a shadow to haunt and chase their enemy. The words "heimlich" (secretly) and "Gnade flehen" (beg for mercy) suggest a dark, vengeful desire for retaliation, even after death.
The chorus, which repeats the words "Asche zu Asche" (ashes to ashes), emphasizes the idea of death and the transformation of the physical body into nothingness. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song creates a feeling of inevitability and finality. The final verse repeats the promise of rebirth and revenge, as the singer describes kneeling in their victim's face and sticking their finger in the ashes of their body.
Overall, the lyrics to Asche zu Asche explore themes of revenge, death, and rebirth. The dark, violent imagery and repetition of certain phrases create a sense of foreboding and finality, emphasizing the idea that all things eventually turn to dust.
Line by Line Meaning
Warmer Körper (Warmer Körper)
My body is warm with anticipation and excitement
Heißes Kreuz (Heißes Kreuz)
My cross is hot with pain and sacrifice
Falsches Urteil (Falsches Urteil)
I have been wrongly judged and condemned
Kaltes Grab (Kaltes Grab)
Death awaits me in a cold, dark grave
Auf dem Kreuze lieg' ich jetzt
I am now lying on the cross
Sie schlagen mir die Nägel ein
My executioners are nailing me to the cross
Das Feuer wäscht die Seele rein
The flames of my suffering will purify my soul
Und übrig bleibt ein Mundvoll
All that will be left of me is a handful of ashes
Asche, Asche
Ashes, ashes
Ich komm wieder (Ich komm wieder)
I will return
In zehn Tagen (Ich komm wieder)
In ten days' time
Als dein Schatten (Ich komm wieder)
I will haunt you as your shadow
Und werd dich jagen (Ich komm wieder)
And I will chase you down
Heimlich werd ich auferstehen
Secretly, I will rise from the dead
Und du wirst um Gnade flehen
And you will beg for mercy
Dann knie ich mich in dein Gesicht
Then I will kneel before your face
Und steck den Finger in die Asche
And I will put my finger in the ashes
Asche zu Asche
Ashes to ashes
Und Staub zu Staub, ja
And dust to dust, yes
Asche zu Asche
Ashes to ashes
Und Staub zu Staub
And dust to dust
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD Z. KRUSPE, PAUL LANDERS, TILL LINDEMANN, DOKTOR CHRISTIAN LORENZ, OLIVER RIEDEL, CHRISTOPH DOOM SCHNEIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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David Mijangos Pain
on Fried Eis
ich werde immer bei dir sein;
FERTIG - bin ich mit dir, bis zum Morgen sitz ich da.
DU BIST - so ganz allein,
das Schicksal hat mich angelacht;
UNHEIL - hört wie ihr schreit,
sie singen die letzten Melodien.
Uuuuh - you were the night
Holding breath, cause you all remind it
(DU BIST ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - and let me show you,
I am not alone
(DU ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - (???)
horror may remind it
TIEFE - die Einsamkeit,
es ist so weit - Aus Vorbei!
KRAFTLOS - Hab keine Angst,
sie singen die letzten Melodien
Uuuuh - you were the night
Holding breath, cause you all remind it
(DU BIST ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - and let me show you,
I am not alone
(DU ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - (???)
horror may remind it
Du gehörst zu mir, ich zeige wann und wie
du gehst.
Du hast keine and're Wahl, sie sind einsam und allein
allein.
allein
allein
du allein
Laaaahhh
Uuuuh - you were the night
Holding breath, cause you all remind it
(DU BIST ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - and let me show you,
I am not alone
(DU ALLEIN)
Uuuuh - (???)
Horror may remind it
May remind it
Rammstein - Freid Eis
SabrinaOnlineFan96
on Sonne
This song reminds me of Gru from Despicable Me, as he is so powerful, that he paralyzed a shark and was able to outrun supersonic missiles.
Ben - Moderator
on Keine Lust
Corrected the music video fact above.
Andrew
on Keine Lust
The music video has them performing in fat suits, not at a funeral.