Rammstein

Rammstein is a German industrial metal group from Berlin, formed in 1994. The line-up consists of Till Lindemann on lead vocals, Richard Z. Kruspe on lead guitar, Paul Landers on rhythm guitar, Oliver Riedel on bass, Christoph Schneider on drums, and Christian Lorenz on keyboards. The group remains active from 1994 to the present.

The band draws on industrial, metal and neue deutsche härte, and is among the acts most closely associated with that style. Its songwriting usually works from instrumental parts written by the band, with Lindemann then composing and performing the lyrics over them. Before Rammstein formed, several members had played in punk rock groups including Feeling B and First Arsch.

After winning a local competition, the band records demos and signs with Motor Music. Working with producer Jacob Hellner, it releases its debut album, Herzeleid, in 1995. The album initially sells modestly but later reaches number six in Germany. Rammstein’s second album, Sehnsucht (1997), debuts at number one in Germany and includes the singles “Engel” and “Du hast.” Its success leads to a long international tour and the live album Live aus Berlin (1999).

After signing with Universal Music, Rammstein releases Mutter (2001), which produces six singles that chart across Europe. Its lead single “Sonne” reaches number two in Germany. The band follows with Reise, Reise (2004), featuring “Mein Teil” and “Amerika,” both of which peak at number two in Germany; “Mein Teil” also becomes the band’s first number-one single in Spain. Rosenrot (2005) follows, with “Benzin” reaching number six in Germany, and the live album Völkerball appears in 2006.

The sixth studio album, Liebe ist für alle da (2009), includes “Pussy,” the band’s first number-one single in Germany. The release also draws controversy because of its explicit video, and the song “Ich tu dir weh” leads to the album being temporarily placed on the German Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Minors index, after which the album is reissued without that track.

Following a break from recording, Rammstein continues to tour and issue compilations and live albums including Made in Germany, Rammstein in Amerika and Paris. In 2019 the band releases the single “Deutschland,” which becomes its second number-one song in Germany, and an untitled seventh studio album that tops the charts in 14 countries. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the group writes and records Zeit, released in 2022.

Rammstein is known for elaborate live performances with extensive pyrotechnics. Its work is generally well received by critics and it achieves major commercial success, including multiple number-one albums and many gold and platinum certifications worldwide, while also attracting controversy for provocative imagery and lyrical themes.