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Features: Rammstein A - Z Part Two

The second part of Rock Sound’s A- Z guide on Rammstein, you've had A-M now get N-Z!

Think you know everything there is to know about the Sonisphere bound German mentalists Rammstein? Test your knowledge with Rock Sound’s A- Z guide!

From Arrested Development to Zven, literally, we reveal everything about your favourite pyromaniacs (click here for Part One of the feature)…

N = Nazi Punks Fuck Off
Perpetually dogged by rumours of links to Nazism and the far right, Rammstein remain distinctly apolitical with guitarist Paul Landers illustrating, “If we were Spanish, we wouldn’t have to deal with this hassle.”

O = Ollie
The lazy nickname given to bassist Oliver Riedel. Following his contribution to the ‘Pussy’ video, Riedel has since acquired a new moniker in Mr. Pain, which is, we feel, a tad more rock.

P = ‘Pussy’
If you’re under 18 then please skip directly to ‘Q’, as things are about to get sticky. The X-rated video for ‘Pussy’ not only featured some of the most ridiculous lyrics known to metal, but the video featured the band enjoying a number of ‘erotic’ vignettes that culminated with the inevitable money shot. Don’t know what a money shot is? Go ask your grandma, ‘cos we don’t have a clue...

Q = ‘Te Quiero Puta!’
Famous for their almost exclusively German lyrics, ‘Te Quiero Puta!’ (from ‘Rosenrot’) is one of the few tracks where the band stray from their native tongue. Their playful adoption of other languages for songs like ‘Amerika’ or ‘Pussy’ appears to be a deliberate attempt to emphasise the sardonic nature of their lyrics, and with ‘Te Quiero Puta!’ being Spanish for ‘I Love You, Whore’, this seems no exception. The track was possibly inspired by Lindemann’s time spent in Costa Rica, where he once lived.

R = Rammstein
Depending on who you speak to, the name Rammstein was derived from the German for ‘Ramming Stone’, from the town of Ramstein-Miesenbach, infamous for an air-show disaster that occurred in 88. Well, it’s either that or, as one well-placed source told us: “I think they liked the sound of the word, which fits them to a tee.”

S = ‘Stripped’
Pictorial evidence suggests that these Germans enjoy the feel of fresh air on flesh more than most, but the titular ‘Stripped’ here refers to Rammstein’s cover of this haunting Depeche Mode anthem about getting back to nature.

T = Twisted Firestarter
Through the fire and the flames, the primal core of Rammstein’s visual appeal relies heavily on their pyromaniac tendencies. A Health And Safety Officer’s worst nightmare, with Rammstein every night is Guy Fawkes Night! If there’s a part of an instrument or the body that they can shoot 20-foot jets of flame from then, trust us, they will. Till Lindemann can often be seen donning a flaming overcoat during live performances, which is possibly where the term ‘smoking jacket’ originates. Originally introduced to mask the shyness of Lindemann, who apparently didn’t feel comfortable addressing the audience, he’s now a fully trained and qualified pyrotechnic engineer in his own right.

U = Underpants
Nothing more than an excuse for us to print a gratuitous picture of the band in their essentials. Readers, please contain your excitement.

V = Völkerball
A stunning live album / DVD combo that was recorded and filmed around the world. If you’re feeling flush then it’s well worth checking out the four-disc set that includes two DVDs, two CDs and a photo book. It’ll make for an attractive addition to any fan’s coffee table!

W = What's The Problem With Being Sexy?
Spinal Tap have nothing on these guys because Rammstein have just had the cover to ‘Liebe Ist Für Alle Da’ banned in Germany. Eyebrows were raised over certain sadomasochistic elements of the artwork, but it was the lyrical content of the song ‘Ich Tu Dir Weh’ that caused the most upset, so the track was removed from the German edition of the album. In defiance, Rammstein have decided to release this as their next UK single.

X = XXX
A depressingly bad action movie showcasing the limited acting talents of walking steroid Vin Diesel, the standout moment comes early on when Rammstein are seen performing in a club frequented by various criminal types and sexy young things in equal measure.

Y = You Have
The literal translation of ‘Du Hast’, this song also means ‘you hate’ and was a massive hit for Rammstein upon its release in 97. Back then, no self-respecting metal club was free from its gargantuan riffs and it went on to become a massive radio hit in the US. Recently it was featured on the Guitar Hero 5 videogame alongside Iron Maiden’s ‘2 Minutes To Midnight’ which, incidentally, is a real bitch of a track on Expert.

Z = Zven
You’ll never see Richard Z. Kruspe’s name without the ubiquitous ‘Z’ slap bang in the middle, which, as you’ve probably correctly surmised by now, stands for Zven.


Catch Rammstein at Sonisphere Festival on July 31, www.rammstein.de.

Giles Moorhouse