Rammstein’s untitled 7th album, released on May 17, 2019, by Universal Music, features 11 tracks blending industrial metal with electronic elements. Produced by the band along with Olsen Involtini, the album covers themes ranging from historical reflection to social commentary. Notable tracks include “Deutschland” and “Radio,” which highlight Rammstein’s provocative lyrical style and powerful sound.
Album length: 47:03
Industrial metal, Neue deutsche härte
May 17, 2019
Universal Music
2018 - 2019
Studios La Fabrique (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France)
Olsen Involtini and Rammstein
Societal Critique and Historical Reflection: Deutschland: This track reflects on Germany’s complex history, touching on pride, shame, and the struggles of national identity. It combines powerful imagery with a critique of the country’s past and present, making it a compelling listen for those interested in socio-political themes. Radio: The song nostalgically recalls the role of radio in East Germany as a means of escape and rebellion, reflecting on the power of music and media in oppressive regimes.
Human Nature and Relationships: Zeig dich: This track confronts hypocrisy and corruption within religious institutions, urging exposure and honesty.
Ausländer: Addressing themes of immigration and globalization, this song mixes humor and satire, exploring the interactions and misunderstandings between different cultures. Sex: This song delves into the primal and often taboo subject of human sexuality, presented with Rammstein’s signature unapologetic and provocative style.
Dark and Disturbing Narratives: Puppe: Perhaps one of the darkest tracks on the album, “Puppe” tells a chilling story from the perspective of a neglected child. The song escalates into a violent and emotional climax, showcasing the band’s ability to blend storytelling with intense musical dynamics. Was ich liebe: This song explores themes of love and hatred, delving into the complexities of these emotions and how they intertwine.
Introspection and Emotion: Diamant: A more subdued and melancholic track, “Diamant” reflects on themes of love and loss, showcasing a different, more emotional side of the band.
Weit weg: This song deals with themes of longing and distance, adding a layer of introspection to the album’s narrative.
Identity and Transformation: Tattoo: This track explores the idea of identity and self-expression through body art, reflecting on how tattoos can tell stories and mark significant life events. Hallomann: The final track on the album, “Hallomann” offers a haunting narrative, exploring dark desires and the concept of duality within oneself.
Aggressive and Confrontational: Societal Critique: Tracks like “Deutschland” and “Radio” set a tone of defiance and confrontation, addressing historical and social issues with a critical eye. The aggressive riffs and commanding vocals underscore the band’s signature style of challenging the status quo.
Dark and Brooding: Narrative Depth: Songs such as “Puppe” and “Hallomann” delve into deeply disturbing and dark narratives. The brooding atmosphere is amplified by haunting melodies and intense lyrical themes, creating a sense of unease and emotional weight.
Provocative and Bold: Themes of Sexuality and Identity: Tracks like “Sex” and “Tattoo” explore provocative themes with boldness and intensity. The raw and unapologetic delivery of these songs adds to the album’s daring and adventurous mood, pushing boundaries and challenging taboos.
Melancholic and Reflective: Emotional Layers: “Diamant” and “Weit weg” introduce a more melancholic and introspective side to the album. These tracks provide a contrast to the heavier elements, offering moments of reflection and emotional depth that resonate with themes of love, loss, and longing.
Dynamic and Varied: Musical Versatility: The album showcases Rammstein’s versatility, blending industrial metal with elements of rock, electronic, and orchestral arrangements. This dynamic range keeps the listener engaged, as each track brings something unique to the overall experience.
Theatrical and Grandiose: Production and Arrangement: The album’s production is grandiose and theatrical, with elaborate arrangements and powerful performances. This creates a larger-than-life mood that is both immersive and exhilarating, capturing the essence of Rammstein’s live performances.
Recording and Production: The album, often referred to as “Untitled” or “Rammstein,” was recorded at Studios La Fabrique in Provence, France. It was produced by the band in collaboration with Olsen Involtini, who also served as their live sound engineer. The band chose to forgo working with their long-time producer, Jacob Hellner, to bring a fresh approach to their music.
Chart Success: Upon its release on May 17, 2019, the album quickly climbed to the top of the charts. It reached #1 in 14 countries and placed in the top 10 in 26 countries. In the United States, it peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200, marking the band’s highest position ever in the U.S.
Post-Release Impact: The album made a significant commercial impact, debuting at the top of the German album charts and holding various positions for an extended period. It was reported that in its first week, the album sold 260,000 copies in Germany alone, making it the best-performing album by a band in the 21st century. The album stayed in the top 40 of the German charts for an entire year.
Live Performances: The album’s release was followed by a massive European tour featuring spectacular live shows. Rammstein’s performances included impressive pyrotechnics, intricate stage setups, and their trademark theatricality. The tour was so elaborate that it required two identical setups to be transported and assembled for concerts scheduled just days apart.
Intricate Photoshoot: Rammstein went through a meticulous four-day photoshoot to capture the visual essence of their untitled album. Danish photographer Jes Larsen and stylist Vibe Dabelsteen played crucial roles in creating a mix of styles from different periods in time, particularly highlighting the unique character of keyboardist Flake Lorenz. The band released a mini-documentary to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at this elaborate process.
Track “Deutschland”: The song “Deutschland” is noted for its powerful and controversial lyrics and visuals. The music video depicts various historical events and periods in German history, stirring both admiration and controversy due to its graphic and symbolic content.
Prefer Traditional Metal Styles: If you lean towards more traditional metal genres such as thrash, death, or black metal without the industrial or electronic influences, you might find Rammstein’s sound less appealing. Their industrial edge and electronic beats might not resonate with fans of classic metal styles.
Avoid Controversial Content: Rammstein’s lyrics often explore controversial and provocative topics. If you prefer music that steers clear of socio-political commentary or dark, intense themes, this album might not be the best fit for your taste.
Dislike Non-English Lyrics: While Rammstein’s music is accessible globally, they primarily sing in German. If you prefer lyrics you can immediately understand without translation, you might not fully enjoy their music, though the emotion and intensity still come through powerfully.
Seek Upbeat and Positive Themes: The album’s themes are often dark, brooding, and intense. If you’re looking for music with lighter, more positive vibes, Rammstein’s heavy and often somber themes might not align with your preferences.
Rammstein’s 1995 debut album, “Herzeleid” (Motor Music), is a landmark of Neue Deutsche Härte, blending industrial metal, heavy metal, and punk. Its dark themes and aggressive sound, driven by Lindemann’s vocals and heavy instrumentation, launched their successful career.
Rammstein’s 1997 album Sehnsucht is a defining work of Neue Deutsche Härte (NDH), featuring German lyrics exploring themes of longing, desire, and aggression. A commercial success, it propelled the band to international fame.
Released on April 2, 2001, Rammstein’s Mutter blends industrial metal with symphonic elements, featuring hits like “Sonne” and “Ich Will.” It topped charts in Germany and Austria, showcasing the band’s evolving sound.
“Reise, Reise,” Rammstein’s 2004 industrial metal album, features heavy riffs and provocative themes. Produced by Jacob Hellner and recorded at El Cortijo Studio in Spain, it includes notable tracks like “Mein Teil” and “Amerika”.
Rosenrot, Rammstein’s fifth studio album, was released on October 28, 2005, by Universal Music. The album blends industrial metal with experimental elements and explores themes of love, desire, and societal critique.
Liebe ist für alle da, Rammstein’s sixth studio album, was released on October 16, 2009, by Universal Music. It blends industrial metal with provocative themes, featuring tracks like “Ich tu dir weh” and “Pussy,” and faced significant censorship.
Rammstein’s untitled 7th album, released on May 17, 2019, by Universal Music, features 11 tracks blending industrial metal with electronic elements, produced by the band and Olsen Involtini.
Rammstein’s album “Zeit,” released on April 29, 2022, by Universal Music, delves into themes of time and mortality. The song “Lügen” uses autotune, and Bryan Adams photographed the cover at Berlin’s Trudelturm.