A different, but still strong C.D. from Rammstein

Rammstein change their formula a bit for their fifth album. Some would say "If it ain't broken, why fix it?", but Rammstein decided they needed to make more of a straight forward metal album. They have all but deleted the industrial/dance parts of their music (except for the keyboards). The band also churned out riffs that are different than what we've heard on their last two albums. The "chugga chugga" riffs are out, and wall shaking riffs are in. Add a singer who growls and almost snarls at times, and you have Rammstein's new sound. Dark, loud and brooding; similar to Coal Chamber, circa 2002.



Highlights include:



The title track's verses has vocals and a slow, almost spacey drum beat. The chorus, however, has a couple of riffs and the song ends with what sounds like a violin.

"Mein Tell" is the lead single, and rightfully so. A good headbanger, it explodes with stereo rattling guitar noise. The singer's (Till Lindemann's) growling/snarling voice goes well with the music and the verses are good lead-ins to the heavy choruses.

"Dalai Lama" begins with soft notes, as the guitarist slowly picks at the guitar's fret board. Keyboards are included in the verses, but the chorus has choppy, chunky riffs.

"Amerika" is the other single. The beginning and chorus have more strong riffs, but this song is a standout because the choruses are sung (not snarled) in English. Towards the end of the song, new wave keyboards make an entrance (against a background of churning guitar riffs).

"Morgenstern" begins with what sounds like a female church choir. Then the guitars come aboard and make "boom boom" riffs, with the singer snarling in between them.



If I could recommend any changes to this album, I'd say make some more industrial (Skinny Puppy-ish) dance numbers ("Los" is the only song I found myself tapping my foot to.) I wouldn't delete any of the songs in favor of the industrial dance numbers, I'd just add to what's already on this C.D.

But the bottom line is, this is good metal. It's dark enough if you're looking for gothic metal, but the keyboards should appeal to industrial metal fans. I can't see why anybody (*cough* Entertainment Weekly *cough*) would say this C.D. is monotonous. There are songs that rock hard (i.e. "Mein Tell"), but there are also songs that are a lot quieter and more restrained (i.e. "Dalai Lama").

Many people can't get past the language barrier, which is too bad. It's funny why Americans can't get past the language barrier, when Europeans can! Bands like Slipknot and Metallica are just as popular as Rammstein in Germany. "Reise, "Reise" is already a hit in Germany, but to succeed in America, they need a hit single (like "Du Hast"). "Mein Tell" and "Amerika" come close, but they haven't quite gotten the radio play they deserve. Support small time, underrated music, check this album out-Rammstein deserve it. If nothing else, call your local radio station and request they play some Rammstein. Also, make sure you see them live, it really helps you to appreciate and enjoy their music more.

Fantastic!

This is personally one of my favorite Rammstein CD's. From the sweeping ballads of Ohne Dich (Without You) and Amour (Love) to the headbanging inducing Mein Teil (My Part/Tool) and Moskau, Rammstein takes you on a tour de force of its lyrical and musical prowess. This album features deeper lyrics and more creative musical sounds, such as an acordian in the title track Reise, Reise (Arise, Arise) and choirs in Mein Teil and Morgenstern (Morning Star). Full of dark humor and satire. Till Lindemann's vocals add weight and sencerity to the music and he keeps sounding better and better. Definitly a must have for any Rammstein fan!

Ramm Um Stein

Seems like not every their album is a 100% Rammstein. The Rammstein we have got used to with the help of Mutter and the previous ones.



The music is fun, it's better than average, still sounds original to many English speaking fans all around the globe... Yet, where's anything like Mein Herz Brennt, Links, Ich Will, Feuer Frei, Rein Raus? Where's something that's at least slightly close to the beauty of Sonne, Mutter and Nebel?



The stuff like Mein Teil, Los, Ohne Dich rather only mimick the hits from the previous album. Even pop songs like Amerika and Moskau do not help a lot. Some sort of energy and strength is somehow missing. And it's sad.



Stein Um Stein could have easily belonged to Mutter and, luckily, efficiently decorates the recent release. But that is hardly enough.



Hopefully, they will go on. Stein um stein. CD by CD.