Information
Date: May 2001
Title: The new work of the German group doesn't fascinate the fans
Source: Lietuvos Rytas
Translator: Translated by Milda from Lithuanian
Press Article
The few years' silence was stranded
The extravagant German hard rock band has awoken from its drowse. Recently,
the third Rammstein album Mutter was put on sale.
Far-framed with their spectacular shows, the musicians released their
last studio album Sehnsucht on 1997. The expectation of new songs was
relieved by a live album Live aus Berlin, which was released a year
ago.
Yet the album Mutter was expected impatiently. Rammstein is the only
band at the moment, which sings in German and is popular not only in
Europe, but in the US too.
They don't avoid political motives
The unusual mix of hard rock and techno music, the apocalyptical lyrics
and portentous roar of the vocalist Till Lindemann, fascinates thousands
of Rammstein fans.
The songs Engel, Du hast and the cover of the Depeche Mode song Stripped,
are played in radio stations from Berlin to New York. Rammstein is called
the most successful export from Germany, with which only the veterans "Scorpions" can
be equalized.
Sometimes the musicians add fuel to the flames: for the video Stripped,
footage of a nazi propaganda film was used. The band doesn't hide their
sympathies to the socialism ideas.
The unmerciful critics of the album
Yet this time even the fireworks spit from guitars onstage, nor the
expensive video for the song Sonne could save Rammstein.
The high-powered music magazine "Rolling Stone", which six years ago
quoted the first Rammstein album as a master peace, grinded the new
work of the Germans to dust. Mutter was rated for 2.5 of 5 possible
points.
"It's a brazen copy of Marilyn Manson, a pathetic repetition, idiotic lyrics," -
the critics lash unmercifully.
"You must get used to the music," - Lindemann tries to rescue the situation.
- This time less commercial sound. The people who listen to The Ramones or AC/DC
will be pleased with Mutter."
The group experienced a crisis
Producing the new album, the group experienced a crisis, which split
Rammstein. "There were two camps in the group. Guitarist Richard Kruspe
wanted to experiment with electrical music, but me and Till stuck
to the opinion that we should hold to the traditional sound"- told
the member of the group Paul Landers. - No one argues, that Moby or
Atari Teenage Riot oeuvre is interesting, but you don't have to throw
the chosen music style aside and grab and copy it."
Just as Mutter was released, the group went on tour. The audience isn't
missing in their shows, but the album is purchased poorly. The audiences
at the shows welcome the new songs less enthusiasticly as the old hits
of the band.
But the Germans are optimistic. "This album is really good. Maybe some
time has to pass, before the listener realizes it, but sooner or later
it will happen" - Lindemann is positive.