Rammstein are finally back. There may have been a question mark next to their return, after the long break and Till's solo album, but have no fear, the world hasn't been robbed of the dick-wielding flame-throwing Germans.
And how else would they be back, but with a bang? With a love-hate ode to Deutschland as the first single, with explicit Nazi imagery that obviously generated a lot of controversies, because what would Rammstein be without the shock and raised eyebrows? Interestingly enough, though, despite of what the single would have one believe, if you delve deeper into their new release, there is a certain tameness that is pretty unusual for this band. Even Deutschland, aside from the shocking video, is very poised and contains a balanced and reasonable view.
Musically speaking, Rammstein is a fairly settled album, that displays each side of the band, with industrial pieces like Auslander, that instantly transport you to a 90's dungeon club and inspire you to dance, headbangers like Zeig dich, with operatic choirs, strong drumming and a generally epic feel, fun tongue-in-cheek tracks Sex and powerful touching ballads like Diamant.
The literal and figurative bang of songs like Feur frei is extremely reduced. The only heavier and more aggressive parts are Zeig dich and Tattoo and I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I've truly enjoyed the album and it has many moments that I've come to love, but on the other hand it's a bit weird to hear such a mellow version of Rammstein, without their signature infectious rhythms and blunt drums.
But you know me, I will rather focus on the parts I appreciate instead of worrying about what could've been. And thankfully, there is a lot to focus on. Now I don't know how many people listen to Rammstein for their ballads, but some of my favourites from them are settled powerful tracks like Rosenrot or Ohne dich, so I can't help but love the middle part of the release.
Puppe starts off calmly, with a dark sound and sorrowful strained mood and then explodes in one of the most intense and ravishing display of raw primal vocals. And just when I think Till may have outdone himself with this performance, the simple, yet powerful emotion of Diamant comes in to complement it. It fascinates me how this man, who usually freaks me out and I much easily associate with the creepy Mein Teil butcher than with a gentle soul, can transmit so much feeling and sound so warm and gentle with his otherwise raspy voice.
And in the middle of this demonic-angelic duo lies Was ich liebe. I just love the song, I love the guitar that grows slowly to an intense chorus, I love the kind of contained force and emotion that is barely held under control, the musicality and play with instruments and moods... it has the potential of becoming one of my favourite Rammstein creation.
Lately I have noticed maturity and balance in many of the bands I listen, their latest releases being clean, solid and without excess. It seems that Rammstein may have gone down this route as well, with less heaviness and focus on the shock value and more emphasis on melodicity and lyrics. It lacks the bite and energy of Rammstein's usual releases, but what is lost there is gained in terms of complexity and innovation. If this is just a result of the place they're in right now or if this is the path they are going to stay on remains to be seen. Personally I would be happy either way.
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