South America in November?

A French site has information up regarding the next dates on the LIFAD tour (GLT - orignal French here), courtesy of Paul:

...Pour ce faire, le groupe de métal industriel a même dû faire venir la scène par bateau jusqu'à Québec.

«Ça faisait très longtemps que nous souhaitions venir en Amérique du Nord et l'organisation [du Festival d'été] nous en a donné l'occasion», nous at-il expliqué en allemand avec l'aide d'un traducteur anglais.

Le concert, qui est présenté en exclusivité nord-américaine, doit servir de prélude, voire de répétition à une longue tournée mondiale de trois ans qui débuterait en novembre.

Après le concert, les six musiciens (le chanteur Till Lindemann, les guitaristes Richard Zven Kruspe et Paul H. Landers, le bassiste Oliver Riedel, le batteur Christoph Schneider et le claviériste Christian Lorenz) laisseront derrière eux la scène afin qu'elle soit récupérée en novembre pour les premières dates de la tournée en Amérique du Sud.

...To do this, the industrial metal band has even had to bring the scene by boat to Quebec.

"It was very long as we wanted to come to North America and the organization [Summer Festival] has given us the opportunity," he told us in German, with the help of an English translator.

The concert, presented the exclusive North American to serve as a prelude to even repeat a long world tour of three years starting in November.

After the concert, the six musicians (singer Till Lindemann, guitarists Richard Kruspe and Paul H. Zven Landers, bassist Oliver Riedel, Christoph Schneider drummer and keyboardist Christian Lorenz) leave behind the stage so it is recovered in November for the first tour dates in South America.

There is no confirmation on the official site yet.

Joe Cutez

I know it's inane and tenuous as far as Rammstein news goes, but the latest Combichrist blog post has a damned cute Joe photo included:

It's his new Russian do. It's called Dr Seuss.

Sorry!

I've had very little time and there has been bugger-all Rammstein news this week, so everything has gone a bit stagnant. I'll get onto things soon.

Vettel (Off-Topic)

I stayed up to watch the British Formula 1 Grand Prix. I got really worried at about half-past midnight NZT, as Sebastian kept losing time to his team-mate and Lewis, who held a solid lead at Silverstone. He wasn't his usual elegant self, and just didn't have the pace I have come to expect from both RBR cars. I was wondering what was going on, and then he landed a free catch-up in the form of a safety car, and he seemed to fire up and look more like his usual self.

I really love this driver, and he didn't let me down this time, ending classified seventh place from the back of the pack in lap one. I have a tendency to pick a driver and stick with them for a season, but I have been really impressed by Vettel for years now, and it has become stupidly important to me that he does well.

Oddly, it's Vettel, and my association of a German win with joy through him, that lead me to support Germany after New Zealand (undefeated baybee, yeah!) were eliminated from the World Cup, rather than Rammstein or any other aspect of German culture that I admire.

Pair that with the talented and likable Mark Webber and you have a team designed to hold my attention. Go RBR!

Okay, that's the end of my off-topicness for the day. It wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

Awesome Sauce

The Sonisphere site has a write-up of the Spanish show, including a vivid painting of the Rammstein performance:

At twenty past midnight on the dot and with no warning, an explosive boom erupted and the curtain fell to the floor, to reveal a German flag, covering the entire expanse of the stage. As primal screams of unadulterated excitement united the swelling crowd, this too fell to the floor to reveal the six members of Rammstein, split over two levels.

And so the greatest festival show of all time ignited once more in a blitz of pyrotechnics and strobe lighting...

...We’re still trying to rationalise the experience of this show which was like nothing we have ever seen before. Perhaps they will come later, but for now we simply don’t have the words to convey just what an extraordinarily mind-blowing live phenomenon Rammstein are, especially in the festival field.

It's My Birthday

I get to be completely self-indulgent and do whatever I want today, so I am not doing anything useful or practical. I shall write, work on my translation of Mike Oldfield im Schaukelstuhl, and watch TV. I suspect I will probably ramble a fair bit on here. It's a slow news period for Rammstein and I'm celebrating my last 30th birthday, so bear with me.

Garçon! Diesel!

In response to my recent WTF Eva has provided some vital information: Lindemann did the same thing for Pink. He is apparently a closet sommelier, who takes time out from his performance to organise a tipple for any special guest who might happen to be enjoying the show from the wings. I have this wild image in my head of the front-man trotting out from behind a gantry with a glass-cloth-draped arm bearing a tray of wine glasses, serving any artists attending Rammstein's shows with fine German wines.

I must say that I can't think of a higher level of service than to have your drinks order taken, mid-song, by a man simultaneously holding sway over 10,000-plus maddened rock fans. Yes please!

WineTweet 1
WineTweet 2

For Good

Lindemann and a bunch of other artists have contributed their mite for a charity. I have no idea which charity or charities are benefiting from this, but I have emailed the organiser to find out, and will update once I hear back.

WTF?

Really?

Sonisphere Pimps Rammstein

And talks to RZK. The live show is summed up quite nicely, and the inclinations of the band are finally out:

“We’re all like little children,” explains lead guitarist Richard Z Kruspe. “We never really want to grow up and we want to play with a lot of toys.”

Yeah, really flamey, burny, ouchy toys. YAY!

LILT: Roter Sand 1.1

Okay, trying again:

For one love with one heartfelt vow
I said I'll come back to you
With sorrow I break my word now
As his bullet has got through

For one love our two pistols duel
One is levelling on me
He says that it is me who stole you
You love me yet
He can't see

Red sand and of two cartridges
One dies in a powdered mess
The second unerring round is his
And lodged deep within my chest

For one love and one heartfelt vow
So much blood runs from my mouth
And I won't be avenged now
Senseless, I fall to the ground

For one love with two pistols aimed
One was much more quickly drawn
Regrettably it was not mine
You belong to him

Red sand and of two cartridges
One dies in a powdered mess
The second unerring round is his
And lodged deep within my chest

Red sand and white doves attending
Feeding themselves on my blood
In the end there must be an ending
So my life has served some good

Red sand and of two cartridges
One dies in a powdered mess
The second unerring round is his
And lodged deep within my chest

Pink & Rammstein?

I've been thinking about Pink's enthusiasm for Rammstein's live show since I found her Tweet about it, and it strikes me that she has one hell of a rock voice. I can imagine her belting out filthy Till poetry with Rammstein. I wonder if she could sing in German without making an arse of herself...

That or get someone to LILT some Till lyrics for her to sing with them or record a cover with. I'd be game.

Rammstein in the Pink

Another new Rammstein fan?:

Rammstein show was the best show I've EVER seen, not knowing words. Holy shit. I want to be in a metal band. I want to invite them to dinner

End of Me Video Out

Apocalyptica have released the video for End of Me, featuring Gavin Rossdale, from Bush:



The full version is on their site.

Sonne Live

Thanks to jenstt.

Richardstiltskin

Moshpitmum has found a somewhat freaky resemblance between RZK and Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After:



RZK with red hair, perhaps after someone has confiscated his cigarettes? Grumpy.

Pearls

There's something very frustrating about Rammstein. Their work has been described as 'music to invade Poland to', the live show with 'Rammstein don't play, they burn', or something like it, but both are fairly trite and inadequate.

Rammstein's music, live show, and public life are authored to fuck with the programme. On the latest album there's a heartfelt Piaf tribute about the deflowering of a young man, a very poppy pop song about European sex tourism, and a heavy anthem about Rammstein and its fans. If you got the bonus disk you can listen a very pretty track about the rape of a goose-girl, and a operatic piece centred around the image of conjoined twins. The live show includes as much drama and choreography as any classical ballet, and a foam canon dressed up as a cock. The front-man only opens his mouth to sing and otherwise stands back and stares, and their lyrics are almost entirely German. Yes, fuck the programme. Let's just confuse the uninitiated and drive our fans to distraction, shall we?

To me Rammstein resemble nothing so much as a grain of sand in an oyster's shell. Consider the grain of sand. It gets into the oyster shell and irritates the shit out of the oyster. The oyster is forced to protect itself by coating the grain with crystalline calcium carbonate, and the end product is a pearl, and an overwrought oyster.

Despite the fact that their albums are coherent, thematic, and well-balanced Rammstein manage to avoid fitting into any pigeonhole you might care to invent for them. The tracks are distinct and disturbing, the hooks and riffs keep your body involved, even if you stop consciously listening, and that's without considering the actual meaning of the lyrics, around which this site is built.

Rammstein's stock in trade is their live performance, which I have never experienced. If they don't come down this way I expect to turn out a lot of pearls. Please support this Facebook group, and save me a lot of frustration.

Lateral Slide into Apocalyptica's 7th

It's about time I evangelised Apocalyptica again, as their new album, 7th Symphony, is imminent (August). Before that (Friday) their new video is due out. The song is End of Me, with Gavin Rossdale (Bush) providing the pipes (and doing so very well). I'm really looking forward to this.

There's a making of video below, featuring Eicca Toppinen, as well as Rossdale and Perttu Kivilaakso, showing a very emo, but beautiful series of shots being made, and excerpts from the finished video:



Enjoy!

Win Sonisphere Knebworth Tickets (the sequel)

Ireland's State site has a camping weekend pass for Sonisphere Knebworth up for grabs. w00!

Romanian Rammstein Review

There's a fairly comprehensive review of the Sonisphere Romania show here. Thanks to Rammchick for the link.

Anathema Tech Posts about Rammstein

Anathema played at Sonisphere Romania in Bucharest, and one of their guitar tech is maintaining a blog about it. He has posted about the megalith that is the Rammstein stage set, and how awesome the show is here.

Bucharest Photos

Mishu Vass has posted some great Rammstein shots from the crowd at Sonisphere Romania.

New Convert?

I found a lovely blog post today. I reckon (just a hunch) that she might like Rammstein. Let me know if I'm wrong.

Rammstein's Athens Set-List

Kindly provided by rammstein6athens:

- Rammlied
- Bückstabü
- Waidmanns Heil
- Keine Lust
- Feuer Frei
- Wiener Blut
- Frühling In Paris
- Ich Tu Dir Weh
- Du Riechst So Gut
- Benzin
- Links 2-3-4
- Du Hast
- Pussy
-----------------------
- Sonne
- Haifisch
- Ich Will

Motherfuckers

RZK has had a chat with Sonisphere. It's not really an interview, but I thought you might be interested.

Rammstein Tour a Hit

Rammchick has shared a link to this. The LIFAD tour is ranking second, after the Black Eyed Peas tour, which I honestly didn't know was on. Not too shabby for a band that performs in German.

3 AM - Half-Time

The NZ/Paraguay match has me awake and I don't like the commentator prattle at half-time, so I went and found this. A pat on the back to the Bulgarian metallers. It's not every day a government minister pays tribute to music fans for their conduct at a major festival.

Turkish Fans Won't Like This

Apparently Islamist media in Turkey are not happy about the advent of Rammstein specifically, and the Sonisphere festival in general. The reasons against the band seem to be the same as those cited in Belarus.

Eh.

Update 2010.06.24 2217hrs - From here:

The "Israeli company" in question is Purple Concerts, a big concert promoter based in Germany and run by two Israelis. The company recently brought to Turkey unwitting Mossad stooges such as Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood and the members of "WrestleMania Revenge Tour."

Rammstein's Haifisch: Behind The Scenes Clip

Ariesgirl has shared this link on the Neo Rammstein (French) site. Awesome!

Scalpers Beware

The Bulgarian internal revenue authorities are all over the Sofia Rocks Sonisphere festival. Ticketing, merchandisers, and the like are being scrutinised and monitored throughout. I hope they nail the scalpers. They are such parasites.

unTill Night

A nightclub party in Solfia lured Lindemann out of his private space the other night. Here is a link to the gallery. Of the 155 photos there he appears in around 30, and in every face shot the shutters are down. The mask is firmly in place with not even a glimmer of animation. They might be fun to go through if you are into the minutae of the man's public appearances, but to be honest nobody's home, so for those who prefer to see him candid and interested I can't recommending wading through this extensive series of perfect strangers.

360 Degree Rammstein Shot

Erikire has linked to this wonderful 360 degree shot of the Provinssirock show. The same site also has this one and this. Very effective!

Rammstein Understand Us

Ts4EVER has pointed out that, in the MTV footage at least, Till sings Wir verstehen euch toward the end of Ich Will, rather than Wir verstehen euch nicht, which is probably meant to make us feel warm and fuzzy, and works for me.

Rammstein at Metaltown

Combalex has posted a review of his Metaltown experience on Herzeleid, and has very kindly given me permission to post an excerpt from it here for you. There are no details of the show, as it was the same show as usual, but it sounds like the vibe was exceptional:

People started to move in to the first section of the crowd, i had gotten myself a sweet front row spot again infront of Paul once again, because like i mentioned earlier, he is the best guy to stand at, even though it is like my 3rd time. But that just tells everyone how great he is! Anyway, it started to get really crowded, i couldn't even reach my cellphone in my pocket, just insane. Then people also started pushing for some reason, probably drunks who had nothing better to do.

But then Rammstein went on and all the troubles went away. I could tell through the entire show that the band was in a such a great mood, it was really great to see them once again, even if it was a few weeks ago since the last time. Till was laughing alot and spoke a bunch of swedish, that even made sense! Most of it was about fucking though.. Oh well, that's Till! Paul was doing some weird moves that made Oliver and Schneider laugh. He also repeated some things that people in the crowd did, like a few of us was clapping along in Haifisch while Flake was in the boat, Paul just clapped along as well and started laughing, such an awesome guy! Flake was being silly as always, he even made fun of Till's headbanging in Ich will, it was hilarious!

Thanks to this, a great crowd that was headbanging, jumping, singing, all of that. It pretty much made it the best Rammstein show i have ever been to, it was just awesome to say least.

Thanks Combalex.

Yeah, Slack...

In case you're wondering if I died in the bath, I have just finished up working in a job that I was really unhappy in, so I've neglected you. Don't worry, I will get back on track soon, and resume bringing you the content you read this site for. I just need to let my hair down a bit...

Lovebreed

Jamey Jasta has Tweeted about Rammstein. Aw, nice! He's talking about playing Bergen with them.

Jamey is the front-man for Hatebreed, in case you're stupidly ignorant, as I am. I've added him to my metal Twitter-list. Here's his blog.

It's All Greek to Me

Rammstein play Athens this month. I'm cursing a bit, because I was in Greece this time last year. I'm Greek by marriage (Greeks will know what I mean by that), and we go over semi-regularly, but this year is an off-year, damnit!

Richard has given an interview to a Greek, which Rammstein.com.uy has in turn found and posted. I have proceeded to steal it from them:



Don't ask me what the Greek means. I don't speak Greek, yet. I would see if my father-in-law could translate, but he's in Greece. Enjoy!

Win Sonisphere Knebworth Tickets

You can enter here, courtesy of Virtual Festivals.

Petition to Bring Rammstein to Australia

Sign it!

from RammsteiNZ

Holy Crap!

I wonder if Schneider will regret this interview. It's utterly charming and very strange:

Finally, the classic Bizarre question: necrophilia, coprophilia or bestiality – which would you go for?
Oh, that’s a great question! I know this game – I played it once with a girlfriend from America, and we had a very funny night. I only have sex with people I’m close to, I won’t do anything with dead people, and I won’t do anything with animals, so it’s gotta be the poo thing… if it’s the poo of my girlfriend or wife, then it’s going to be fine! I definitely wouldn’t eat it, though– I’d roll myself into the poo.

If you don't find toilet humour funny (freak) then there's plenty of other stuff for you to check out in the interview, but for me it peaked at the poop.

Thanks to Eva for the link.

Bring Rammstein to Australasia

How many fans does it take to bring Rammstein halfway around the planet? I have no idea, but shall we find out?

Copenhagen Review

Metal-Revolution.com has its review of the June 2 show in Denmark here:

...What followed was for the most part typical Rammstein show anno 2010, but then again. Comparing to their Belgrade show the stage was smaller and there seem to be fewer pyrotechnics. Still for the most part the show was the same, and it was effective. Crowed was into it and you just couldn't go wrong by looking at the crowd. Be it the jumping, clapping, amazement, smiles or singing, there was no doubt that the crowd was getting what they came for. The visuals, the timing and the sound were all spot on, nothing less...

The set-list:

01 - Rammlied
02 - B******
03 - Waidmann´s Heil
04 - Keine Lust
05 - Feuer Frei!
06 - Wiener Blut
07 - Frühling In Paris
08 - Ich Tu Dir Weh
09 - Du Riechst So Gut
10 - Benzin
11 - Links 2 3 4
12 - Du Hast
13 - Pussy
------------------
14 - Sonne
15 - Haifisch
16 - Ich Will

The Kiss-Off

This is more about Combichrist's Joe Letz and Kiss than Rammstein, but bear with me.

Recently DoktorDoom shared this video. Just over five minutes into it Kiss are highly dismissive of Rammstein. Now, I'm a Kiss fan from way back (when they were skinny), but that kind of arrogance stopped being cool when the 80s crashed, so I like their music a lot better than their attitude.

Today I decided it was high time I caught up with the Combichrist (read: Joe's) blog, and I found this little gem:

COMBICHRIST / RAMMSTEIN part 2: london, UK, rammstein support June 11, 2010, 02:55:pm
THIS SHOW HAPPENED ON: february 4th, 2010

woke up somewhere pretty cool today. at wembley stadium. RIP freddie mercury. i taped that concert on VHS when i was a kid and watched it constantly. knockin on heaven's door was a real tear jerker. but then again, so was E.T. back then. anyways, we didn't play in the stadium though that would have ruled. we played in the arena next door which still holds like 15,000. that shit was sold out. KISS is playing here in a couple weeks. that shit AIN'T sold out.... put the nails in the coffin dudes... seriously ;-)...

Nice. Thank you Joe. I'd buy you a beer, but you're way the hell over there, so buy yourself one and drink to me.

Hold on...

RammsteiNZ - For Kiwi Rammstein Fans

I've started a NZ Rammstein fan-site at RammsteiNZ.com. I'd really appreciate it if you guys could propagate this, more particularly to any New Zealand residents or citizens you know. I am going to mirror the Rammstein news from here to that site, but keep the LILT stuff and the NZ-specific stuff separate.

The way I see it, there are two way Rammstein would come to NZ. The first is if they elected to take part in BDO (Big Day Out) again. The second is if a demonstrable number of interested fans piped up. I reckon the best way to achieve either is to create a NZ Rammstein fan community. This will be interesting...

From Abba to Rammstein

Love him or hate him, Jonas Åkerlund makes an impression. I have never really known much about him, except that he is from the country I was born in and that he has courage where his work is concerned. He's never really managed to enthrall me, but he does turn out some visually stunning work. Here's an article about him where he cites Rammstein as a career highlight.

...Akerlund cites his remarkably explicit video for Pussy, from the German metal freaks Rammstein, as his career highlight.

"It's the shortest treatment I've ever done," he says.

"I wrote an email to them and said, 'Let's make a porno.' Ten minutes later, they said yes."

I think I have heard that before somewhere...

LILT: Bückstabü 1.2

Soon night will fall
We are alone
You need not
Need not be so down
Voices whisper from between the ears
They are saying (they are saying)
Don't you dare
Must forego
Do not touch there
Just say hell no
Bückstabü
This I'll get
Bückstabü
This I'll get

Don't be afraid
Since I am here
As you know
I am oh-so near
Voices whisper from between the ears
They are saying
Don't you dare
Must forego
Do not touch there
Just say hell no
Bückstabü
This I'll get
Bückstabü
This I'll get

Two souls, oh, they are in my loins
But only one of them can survive
The first time will not hurt at all
There will not be a second time

Bückstabü
Don't you dare
Bückstabü
You must forego
Bückstabü
Do not touch there
Bückstabü
Just say no
Bückstabü
This I'll get
Bückstabü
This I'll get

[lyrics]

Clarification on Court Situation

Susanne has once again come to my aid and clarified the situation I was wondering about in this morning's post.

I was right about one thing. The de-indexing is an interim measure while the indexing is appealed. Susanne explains that it is this temporary suspension of the indexing that may be appealed within two weeks. She also said the ability of the court to suspend the indexing in this way is put in place in order that the court might minimise damages caused to the complainant by the situation they are appealing, if their case is strong.

So the indexing is lifted for the appeal to be heard, and within two weeks that suspension may be appealed by the BPjM (to keep the album indexed while the appeal-proper is heard), and then the appeal itself will be heard, and if Rammstein wins then the BPjM can also appeal that.

Sorted!

Better Pro-Shot Rammstein@RAR Footage - HD

I offer big thanks to Rammlieder for the heads up about these videos, and Rammstein Portugal for linking them all in one place. Note that they are uploaded in 720p, so click through to YouTube via the song name above the embedded video to view in HD:

Rammlied HD


Ich Tu' Dir Weh HD


Sonne HD


Haifisch HD


Ich Will HD


By the way, is it just me, or does Till have a complete Muppet moment just over halfway through the Rammlied video?

Mediabiz on Deindexing

The Mediabiz.de site has posted an article (GLT English - original German here) about Rammstein's court victory over the BPjM. The GLT translator had the same awful problems with this as with the ruling report on the lawyers' site, but one new piece of information jumped out at me on page two: the BPjM has two weeks to respond:

The BPjM have the opportunity, so bad lawyer to appeal within two weeks against the decision of the Cologne Administrative Board of the Higher Administrative Court Münster.

This leads me to think that maybe if they don't go back to the court in Münster within a fortnight then the removal from the index is permanent. If there are any German lawyers reading this please do advise me.

Mr Stupid Opens His Mouth

Belarus Morality Man, Cherginets, has been talking smack about Rammstein again. You may have read the post I made about Elton John being considered a corrupting influence in Belarus, just as Rammstein were. Well, apparently Belarus is having trouble keeping their homosexual population suitably oppressed and there is a fear that Sir Elton will come over all gay on stage. I have never considered the possibility that elton John might decide to pound the choccy starfish on stage, live, but after reading Cherginets's account of the Rammstein show maybe they are right to fear the balladeer:

Cherginets said the Council had already prevented outbreaks of “immorality” during a May concert by German industrial metal band Rammstein in the Belarusian capital.

“If we had not interfered, there would have been sex on stage and the relief of physical needs right in front of the audience,” the official said.

What did this interference involve I wonder? I have this wonderful image in my head of the band, standing in a row on stage, being chastised by Cherginets with their heads hanging and their tackle out.

Reworking LILT

You may notice some changes. I have cleared the left side of the site out, moving much of its content to pages linked along the top of the page, underneath the title banner. I've split LILTs up by album, put in a page for community, networking, etc. and removed the legal crap to its own page. I have also created a FAQ. All of this should make the site a bit less busy. Let me know if you have any feedback, be it negative or positive. So long as it's constructive it is welcome.

Rammstein Ruling Information

Thanks so much to Susanne for passing this on to me. Here is a GLT translation to English.

The upshot is this. 'They', probably being UMG or Pilgrim, filed for suspension of the indexing May 31 and it was granted. This was because the court found that the BPjM provided insufficient evidence for the reasons for the indexing that it gave. Nor has it taken into the account the nature of Rammstein's work and its artistic value, nor all of the content*. Note that this is the finding of the Cologne Administrative Court, rather than my speculation and wishful thinking, so you can savour this a little.

The ruling has much more detail, but all I can provide is a precis based on German legal-speak translated by a machine with no legal training, so I can't actually do much better without becoming proficient in German legalese.

I can tell you that the onus now appears to be on the BPjM to back up its original finding with more data, to take the artistic style and standing of the band into account, and to assess based on the entire text of the song. It seems to me that the photo of Richard has been entirely let off the hook by the court, but I'm not 100 % certain about that.

Whatever the finer points I think we can be optimistic. The BPjM has a job to do, and we will know nothing, ultimately, until it completes the task set before it or concedes the ruling.

* Here the ruling refers to the fifth stanza. I can only assume this refers to the line 'Wünsch dir was ich sag nicht nein', which has always struck me as rather sweet, especially in that context, as well as highly sinister.

Update 2010.06.10: Official site post about this here (German) and here (English).

Belarus Questions the Fabulous

Apparently Elton John may be as insidious and evil as Rammstein. Belarus, I am here crossing my fingers that this madness stops, eventually.

My Understanding of the Rammstein Deindexing

Okay, so you know that at present the indexing is not in effect. Further to that, from a very brief email I have had back from the BPjM, it would seem that this reversal has been ruled by the court while an appeal is heard against the indexing. This would mean that the permanence of this change depends on the outcome of the appeal. It may be that the indexing comes back into effect after the court has heard and ruled against UMG or Pilgrim, or whoever the party appealing is. If the appeal is successful I guess the change would be permanent. I may have this wrong, but I don't think I do.

I'm really hoping the BPjM will tell me what the current ruling is, and also what the appeal is based on once the case has been made to the court.

Deindexing Ruling

I'm really keen to find out why Rammstein's LIFAD indexing has been overturned by the court. Has anyone seen a copy of the ruling yet? If so please do share the link with me.

You Guys Heard About Rammstein in GH, Right?

Do I need to post the details? Nah, I'll just link to TG's story about it from a few days back.

Ich Tu' Dir Weh Deindexed

It appears that the original 2009 decision by the BPjM to index LIFAD, because of ITDW and the picture of RZK, has been reversed:

Thanks to Rammstein.NL for the information.

Original German
GLT English

I have to say I am delighted with this, but will be interested to find out why. They had a solid case under law for the listing. This is very intriguing, but explains the performances of ITDW unaltered recently.

MTV Rock Am Ring Rammstein Footage

Rammlied:


ITDW:


Sonne:


Haifisch:


Ich Will:


Update 2010.06.08: Added ITDW.

Rock Am Ring Rammstein

I hope you all caught the Rammstein footage from Rock Am Ring that MTV Austria showed earlier. It was great. They showed Rammlied, Ich Tu' Dir Weh, Sonne, Haifisch (including boat), and Ich Will. There were some streaming problems, which I'm guessing those watching it on TV will probably not have had, but it was minor stuff, and the whole thing was well worth seeing.

My thoughts? Lindemann was in good voice, demonstrating way more vocal precision and power than he has live in the past. All looked and performed well. Flake looks like a used car salesman with that moustache. The audience was absolutely awesome. I have to see them perform live before they realise that they need not work another day in their lives, and retire.

I have other thoughts, but they're not fully developed, so I'm going to stop there.

I have no doubt that this footage will end up on YouTube, so don't worry too much if you missed it.

Rammstein at Rock Am Ring NOW

Here.

The Gauntlet Hits Puberty

Our friend, The Gauntlet, has turned 14. Hair, voice, smell, and giblets will all be in a state of rather messy flux. It's a tumultuous and confusing time for any website, but I'm sure TG will get through it okay, and without developing a mono-brow (I hope).

Love you, TG <3

More Wonderful Hjorth Photos

Once again Christian Hjorth has posted fantastic photos of Rammstein's live show. This guy is an artist. Thanks for the heads up, Nimbo.

Back in the Saddle

I'm feeling much more myself now, but my posting may remain a little patchy. A girlfriend in the States has set me a poetic challenge that I am really looking forward to getting my teeth into, and I need to write a piece for a separate site. I will definitely be a little more verbose here from now on though, and plan to squeeze some more Rammstein adaptions into the gaps too.

There's also the matter of my second round of LIFAD reviewing. I need to review the album now I know what the lyrics mean. I also need to review the Haifisch video. I'm not sure when I will get to that though.

Because I'm kind of busy my news-sniffing will probably suffer though. I spend spend a lot of time combing through a butt-load of Rammstein information, and discard the vast majority, so if any of you find stuff you think is worth sharing please do help me out and send it to me.

Quebec Information Dump

PRweb has posted a good summary of the show in Canada next month. It includes links, booking information, and summarises previously announced artists (including Rammstein). Some newly announced artists also feature.

Ruminating on Pussy

With all the German clichés in Pussy why is there no mention of Lederhosen?

BubbleT1ger's Music Box

Why have I never seen this until now? By the way, I found it here.

Almost Done Being Concise

I have now watched someone die, spent hours studying their life, and then said goodbye to them. I'm almost at a point where the world has resumed as usual, but not quite. I'll stop posting monosyllabic links soon, and actually get back to being a source of information and a poet once again. Just not today...

Oldie But Goodie: Ich Will

It looks to be about 2001.

Pinkpop Interview

Original Dutch.

GLT English.

Quote:

Rammstein was the most expensive act, even more costly than the most expensive. They cost me 1.2 million euros.

Thanks Tempelhüter.

Wuhlheide Photos

Link.

Another link.

Welcome Back Combichrist

Link.

LILT Pauses

Death is a nasty thing. It's currently preventing me from updating the site. I will be back as soon as my life is a little less...dramatic.

Rammstein@Knebworth

The UK Sonisphere site has details of the festival at Knebworth, and single day tickets going on sale. I'd kill to go on the Saturday, so don't come near me if you get tickets...and happen to carry air-fair from NZ to the UK on you...in cash.

More Fucking Devoted Than Ever

Fucking Devotee has put up more HD videos, these latest from Wuhlheide. Enjoy!

Old Dogs, New Trick

According to morlac there is a new stunt in the show. He says that during Pussy Flake bugs Till with his keyboard until Till smashes it on the ground, where it explodes.

Wuhlheide Set List...Maybe

Tempelhüter has come through with some information from the first show of the third leg:

I read a few posts in the fan community.
The sound was not that good yesterday.

SPOILER
Setlist (in the wrong order/might be incomplete)

Links
Ich tu dir weh (with original lyrics)
Pussy
Weißes Fleich
Feuer frei
Engel
Sonne
Keine Lust
Benzin
Haifisch
Frühling in Paris
Waidmanns Heil
Wiener Blut
B*******
Rammlied
Du hast
Ich will
Du riechst so gut

The ITDW revelation is interesting, given the indexing...

Remember Wembley?

(source)

Oh Please!

Rammstein: born to shit-stir, right? Now, think about their album covers for a moment. Which is the most shocking? Take a moment...

Now, check this out.

Pffft!

E3 Leak

Apparently it has been leaked at E3 that Rammstein's Waidmanns Heil is to be included in Guitar Hero 6. While leaks are bad this kind of raising of awareness about the band is awesome. The inclusion of Du Hast previously was a bit of a letdown for me, as that song is probably the one that everyone has heard, and putting more impressive and lesser-known tracks into the public eye makes more sense. This time they have at least gone for a newer, less hackneyed song.

World Music Award - Best Selling German Band

Rammstein won. I'm sorry I'm so late with this. I honestly thought you'd all hear about this without me posting it, but Rammchick has pointed out that recognition of such achievements is a good thing, so now I'm posting. Congratulations to Rammstein. I would have been surprised if they didn't get this one, but I'm still very glad they did.

LILT: Roter Sand 1.0

A sad song, and possibly a bad LILT. I'm feeling a bit twitchy about it, because rhythmically it's a bit of a dog. Go English, you suck:

For one love with one commitment
I said I'll come back to you
But I must with sorrow break it
As his bullet has got through

For one love and two pistols too
One that's pointing right at me
He says that it is me who stole you
You love me but
He can't see

Red sand and of two cartridges
One dies in a powdered mess
The second unerring round is his
It's lodged deep within my chest

For one love and one commitment
So much blood runs from my mouth
And I'm not to be avenged
Senseless, I fall to the ground

For one love with two pistols aimed
One was much more quickly drawn
Regettably it was not mine
You belong to him

Red sand and of two cartridges
One dies in a powdered mess
The second unerring round is his
It's lodged deep within my chest

Red sand and white doves are flying
Feeding themselves on my blood
In the end there must be an ending
So my life has served some good

Red sand and of two cartridges
One dies in a powdered mess
The second unerring round is his
It's lodged deep within my chest

Haifisch Single US Track-list

The Gauntlet has this up this morning. Note the changes...

Train Outage for Wuhlheide Shows

Management warns (here via GLT) that Rammstein's shows in Berlin, May 21, 22, & 24 coincide with work on the S-Bahn S3 line, so if you're attending expect problems with public transport and plan accordingly.

Update 2010.05.20: Management have now posted an English version.

Linkage

I'm going to put the list of links to Rammstein fan communities on by sidebar soon. If you know of any fan sites that are not listed here please let me know.

Blood & Dust

I've begun work on Roter Sand, and it makes me sad. The song still has the same emotive effect on me that it did before I learned what the lyrics mean. I wrote this in my 'blind' review last year:

To me it sounds like Till's telling a story that hurts like hell in the recounting, but that simply must be told. Imagine to yourself a battle-scarred, drunk veteran remembering his awful career, and you'll probably get the idea of what I'm hearing. This song is a wrench.

The chorus is pretty. It sounds like agony, but is lovely and almost 'anthemic', with the whistling always coming back in as a link to the next verse. The song is one to listen to while feeling maudlin and nostalgic. There's plenty of inspiration for the little weeper in us all.

It's incredible how different Liese, which is now on the 'done' pile*, feels to Roter Sand, given the music is pretty much the same. Here's my blind take on that:

The lyrics are somehow fuller and more fleshy (I get the impression more is said, for some reason), and Till has thrown in a hefty dose of menace, and a smudge of lasciviousness (the only sex on the bonus disc) too. The blatant sorrow of Roter Sand doesn't surface at all, despite the music being identical. A much more sinister film coats Liese and I love it. While I have no doubt that Roter Sand was more in keeping with the album's flow, I consider Liese to be lyrically/vocally much meatier, and I'm really glad they tagged it onto the bonus disc.

More than half of the meat is in the operatics of Till, but a huge amount of the texture comes from the lyrics. I don't just mean the meaning. The verbal choices he has made impact the vibe of the song. It's an interesting experiment in poetry.

I wonder if he wrote other lyrics for this music...

* How long that will last?

LILT: Liese 3.0

Promoted without change:

Sunday out in Ammerwiese
Liese bravely minds the geese there
Then comes Jacob with long strides
Holding his sickle at his side

He nudges now and then with this
At Liese under skirt and bodice
He wants to sample her by forcing
And while he probes her he's singing...

Lovely Liese, leave the geese here
I want to have a taste of your skin
My scythe will be blood-rusted I fear
If you are not welcoming

So Jacob thinks to lick young Liese
Her pear taste will be so pleasing
So many small hairs stand on end
They run to a wheat-filled glen

In the flood of gold, well veiled
Jacob bestrides the youthful maid
And holds her close until the evening
Against her skin he again sings...

Lovely Liese, leave the geese here
I want to have a taste of your skin
My scythe will be blood-rusted I fear
If you are not welcoming

Lovely Liese, leave the geese here
I want to have a taste of your skin
My scythe will be blood-rusted I fear
If you are not welcoming

[original lyrics & translation]

LILT: Haifisch 3.0

Promoted without change:

We hold with each other
We all take each other's crap
We hold to one another
None will hold us back

We're holding true to you all
We hold onto that vow
We will uphold all the rules
If our rule is allowed

And the shark weeps very real tears
And they're running down its face
But the shark lives in the water
So nobody sees a trace

We hold to the tempo
We hold true in good faith
When one does not keep up
We hold up right away

We're holding our eyes open
We hold against the storm
Six hearts that are burning
Our fire holds such warmth

And the shark weeps very real tears
And they're running down its face
But the shark lives in the water
So nobody sees a trace

In the depths it is so lonesome
And so many tears run free
And that is how it has happened
That it's salty in the sea

They hold beliefs they want
To hold about us all
We hold each other sound
We never will hold still

And the shark weeps very real tears
And they're running down its face
But the shark lives in the water
So nobody sees a trace

In the depths it is so lonesome
And so many tears run free
And that is how it has happened
That it's salty in the sea

And the shark weeps very real tears
And they're running down its face
But the shark lives in the water
So nobody sees a trace

[original lyrics & translation]

LILT: Bückstabü 1.1

I'm not sure if this is an improvement or not. Tough nut to crack:

Soon night will fall
We are alone
You need not
Need not be so down
Voices whisper from between the ears
They are saying (they are saying)
Don't you dare
Leave it be
Do not touch there
Just say to me
Bückstabü
This I'll get
Bückstabü
This I'll get

Don't be afraid
Since I am here
As you know
I am oh-so near
Voices whisper from between the ears
They are saying
Don't you dare
Leave it be
Do not touch there
Just say to me
Bückstabü
This I'll get
Bückstabü
This I'll get

Two souls, oh, they are in my loins
But only one of them can survive
The first time will not hurt at all
There will not be a second time

Bückstabü
Don't you dare
Bückstabü
Leave it be
Bückstabü
Do not touch there
Bückstabü
Voice the plea
Bückstabü
This I'll get
Bückstabü
This I'll get

[lyrics]

GEMA on the Warpath

It seems that GEMA is getting too big for its boots (Thanks for Rammchick for the link). The GEMA organisation, which represents German musical artists, specifically in the management of royalties, is having a go at YouTube (Google), and has been for a while. The threat to order the removal of German music seems intensely short-sighted to me. The awareness and spread of German music has to have been majorly boosted by the advent of such media-sharing sites. People can listen to and find new artists just by following links related to the videos they watch. I found Apocalyptica that way, and now own two of their albums (legitimately). Social networking and media sites should be a tool to be utilised, rather than a source of income. Why not be a little less greedy, take less, and reap the benefits of huge, global exposure, penetration into new markets, and the propagation of music under your management?

RZK Kit on Ebay

At least it looks like it. You need a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier Solohead?

Nah, I have no idea what that is. Want to buy a box?

Cowboys & Indians

You have surely heard the of the stereotype that portrays Germans as humourless. I have. It's utter bollocks, as any Rammstein fan can attest to. They do have a certain grim brutality though:

I got the video from here, and I have to agree that Rammstein couldn't be any scarier than that. Cruel, cruel Bundeswehr!

Shot!

Rammstein are German. I just thought I'd state that for the record, just in case you didn't notice. They're so subtle about this fact that it could easily get past you. Okay, we're clear about the Germanity* of Rammstein, aren't we? Yep. Good. Now read this.

* I made that up.

Americans Should Attend

I know this isn't Rammstein, but it's still awesome. I have a feeling 7th Symphony will make it onto my iPod. Apocalyptica give me the happies. They just keep getting better and better, and you lucky North Americans get them live this month.

Haifisch Single Details Announced

Rammstein's third single release details are up on the official site:

We are happy to finally announce the release date for the “Haifisch” single. The single will be in German, Austrian and Swiss stores on May, 28 2010. In the USA it will be available on June, 1st 2010, in all other countries on May, 31st 2010.


Tracklist

1. Haifisch
2. Highswing RMX by Olsen Involtini
3. Remix by Hurts
4. Remix by Schwefelgelb

Dance of the Freak

Rammstein's Wiener Blut has been reinterpreted in dance. If you're not a fan of interpretive dance it might not do anything for you, but it's well done. I think it rocks in a mildly disturbing way, as is appropriate to the music.

Schneider in Romania

When Rammstein played Romania Schneider had a few words with an interviewer before the show. Here's the video:

Rammstein - Rammstein Interview - Romania - 2010 on muzu.tv

Roter Sand Cover

Here's a rather nice take on Roter Sand.

His MySpace page is here. Thanks for DER_METZGERMEISTER69 for the link.

The Game is Afoot

Frogster Interactive Pictures (German games studio) mention trying to get Rammstein to perform at the launch of their latest Runes of Magic installment this month, which is to take the form of a music festival in an interview on Games Asylum:

GA: The third episode, The Elder Kingdoms, is being launched in May. What new and exciting things can we expect? We’ve heard rumours of a music festival…

Philipp: Yes, a music festival will be introduced with the newest chapter of the game, we are trying to get Rammstein and Muse to open it...

Very amusing.

All A-twitter

Crafty Omega has pointed out a Tweet from Wes Borland that might interest you lot:

Just got back from dinner with Joe Letz (Combichrist) and Richard Kruspe (Rammstein). Believe it or not we talked music. nudge nudge

Oh Noes!

I recently got a FB invite to join a group protesting Rammstein breaking up. I expect this is a reaction to the remarks Richard has made (thanks to the link ^_rammstein_finland_^ - original article) about how right now he can't see himself doing another Rammstein album.

I have read at least one other interview, months ago, in which he has said this. He seems to also say something to the effect of 'never say never' as well, so I think he is definitely talking about his immediate frame of mind. I have subsequently read interviews where he pretty much discusses a future Rammstein project (unplugged, by the sound of things), so I think people are suddenly taking his remarks much more seriously, and I'm not sure why.

Obviously, Rammstein will cease to exist one day. This is how it goes. This is the reality all music fans must face with regard to their favourite artists. It is fact. When it happens is not something I would care to predict, even with Richard's present feelings on the subject, and while I wouldn't be surprised if LIFAD were to end up being their final album (not counting reduxes), I will not go into mourning for Rammstein, or object to the idea of them splitting up. They've done well, and have given us a lot of great material. I love Rammstein, but they are individual people, with families, lives, feelings, ambitions, and probably a strong desire to just stop at some point. I hope it's not for another ten years or so, but doubt my hopes will be fulfilled.

Whatever they may do in future, they rock my world and will continue to do so.