Made in Germany Album

The Rammstein site has been updated with the details of the new MiG album, including artwork. It would seem that this album cover might resemble the Sehnsucht one, in that each band member is represented in an individual cover. The image provided is Oli, looking downright virginal, all in white.

Here's the gen:

On 2 December 2011, MADE IN GERMANY 1995-2011 will be released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland! The international store date for this Rammstein retrospective is the 5th of December 2011.
MADE IN GERMANY 1995-2011 will be available in three different editions:
Standard Edition: CD Digipak – Best of Album
Special Edition: CD Digipak – Best of Album / Best of Remixes
Super Deluxe Edition: limited steelbox – Best of Album / Best of Remixes / 240- pages photobooklet/ full RAMMSTEIN Video catalog + all Making ofs incl. 8 unreleased Making ofs.
All songs & videos of MADE IN GERMANY 1995-2011 have been remastered for this release!

Before Being Made In Germany

Rammstein's site has some new photos up. These show preparations for the Made in Germany Tour. Enjoy!

Blatant Bloody Bavarian Bias

If you don't think Rammstein get singled out for special attention then you're deluding yourself. The lovely boys from Berlin get kicked in the slats wherever the establishment takes a dislike to black lippy and short Lederhosen. The latest slap in the chops for my favourite sextet comes from Bavaria, where the authorities have deemed Rammstein's sold-out show to be cutting too close to the bone on 'Dead Sunday' forcing the postponement of the November 20 show to the 22nd.

It is pointed out on the Rammstein site that many shows have been put on on this commemorative day, which begs the question: why is it sauce for Rammstein, but not for others?

Those who can't accommodate the change of date may contact the Rammstein shop for a refund. Details are here. I guess that tour leg can be dubbed 'Mad In Germany'.

Mein Land

Rammstein has announced the release date[s]* and some other details for the Mein Land single, which also comes with a Jonas Åkerlund video. I'm not sure if Rammstein's visit to Australia was the inspiration for this baby, but it promises to be something a bit different for the band (see the album art for a hint...

The single will appear as a 4 track CD Digipak, as well as a 7″ vinyl with 2 tracks. In addition to MEIN LAND, it includes the as yet unreleased song VERGISS UNS NICHT, as well as remixes by BossHoss and Mogwai.

Check out Rammstein.com on November 14 (German time, one assumes) for the video premiere.

* November 11 in German, Switzerland, and Austria. November 14 internationally.

ALL BLACKS!!!

A lot of you won't know a damned thing about Rugby, but tonight I gasped, screamed, groaned, and held my breath with a mob of perfect strangers in a pub, while our national team became Rugby World Champions for the first time since the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. It was incredible, and driving back home through town we had to move at a snail's pace, because the streets are full of jubilent Kiwis, madly celebrating our victory. Every driver has their hand on their horn, every window is open with people hanging out whooping it up, every cop is on duty and carrying it out with a grin on their face, as they gently herd hysterically happy citizens out of the traffic, and it couldn't happen to a nicer country.

Kiwis are a fairly reserved bunch, but tonight New Zealand is having a national love-in.

End of off-topicness...

New RZK from ESP?

Apparently there's a new signature series RZK guitar coming from Richard and ESP. I don't see it on the ESP USA site yet, but given Richard's passion for the technology underlying his music it doesn't surprise me to hear that he's extending the RZK line.

Update 20111028: KJ from Facebook has contacted ESP and they deny this. I'm seeking further information.

Made in Germany: Initial Release Details

ThePRP apparently has an inside line on the first details of the new Best of album, Made in Germany.

Rammstein‘s forthcoming greatest hits collection “Made In Germany” is now eyeing a November 22nd release date through Vagrant/Fontana. The outing will be made available in three different formats, including: a standard one disc edition; a deluxe 2 disc edition and a ‘Super Deluxe Metal Box’ edition featuring 2 CD’s and 3 DVD’s.

The collection is expected to feature 20 songs from the bands back catalogue along with the new track “Mein Land“. The groups entire video catalog is expected to comprise some of the DVD content with more exact details are pending.

Speaking of the new track “Mein Land“, a video for it was recently filmed with director Jonas Akerlund (U2, Hollywood Undead) and will debut shortly.

A 45 minute EPK promoting the “Made In Germany” release is expected to begin surfacing in segments shortly, while U.S. touring in support of the set is slated to kick off in the spring.

Note that I have verified none of this. It could all be porky pies for all I know.

Update 0000hrs 20111020 NZDT: I've been able to verify all but the date. Everything else is bankable.

Metal Hammer: Vote for Herzeleid

Metal Hammer is celebrating its 25th by calling for votes on the best debut of the past 25 years. Herzeleid needs you.

Update 20111019: Damn it, they closed the poll!

ESP & RZK

I haven't had time to watch this, but it's an interview with Richard:



Thanks James!

Goodbye Rammimages.com

I was very sad to find today (so out of touch) that Minx has closed down her website. That insanely huge gallery of Rammstein photos we all knew and loved ceased to operate October 1. Thanks for the years, Minx. You did us proud.

Rammbike

It's a slow month, but I found something worthy of your attention today: a bike-riding Rammstein fan's tribute to the band.

Bitter Sweet

Rammstein invited me to attend a rehearsal show in Berlin at the end of the month, but I don't have any cash. This is one of those times when one starts madly buying lottery tickets and considers selling large items of property. My house will take too long to go, and I need my car, so I bought a lottery ticket. No luck!

Oh well, I'll just have to send my correspondent...

Rumours About Jonathan Ross

It's been touted about that Jonathan Ross would like to get Rammstein on his show. That would be fantastic, so long as whichever band members attend are in humorous moods. I can't think of anything worse than Rammstein playing it straight on Ross's show. The kind of friskiness Schneider and Lindemann displayed on Swedish MTV in 2001, however, would work really well. We can only hope it happens...and they're on form.

4th Berlin Show Announced

Rammstein have announced a 4th show in Berlin on December 15, with tickets available exclusively from the Rammstein Shop.