Before we go into the album itself, let us talk about the fact that despite the band having ten years to think of a future album title and a possible cool album cover, THIS is what they come up with! I really dislike when bands just slap on a self titled release far into their career, because there is no real reason to do so, except maybe when the band is starting from scratch again with a completely new sound, or they just had made a major line up change, and even then it is not appreciated. Then we have the cover, which is just a match. Just... a god damn... match. Come on guys, put at least 5% of effort into the look of the record, you will get far if you do.
Fortunately, most of the focus has seemingly gone towards the music, which is all that matters. Opening track and single "Deutschland" might be one of the most brilliant songs Rammstein has ever put together, talking about the mixed feelings Germans have for their country and its history. It is also just as catchy and heavy as you would expect, with some excellent work in the riffs and back up vocals. It does not get better from here, but the quality throughout "Rammstein" is just astonishing, especially since the band is not doing anything to much different from what they usually do. Ten years may have gone, but the band is still true to their sound.
The thing that makes "Rammstein" so excellent is that it is a very dynamic record, blending everything that makes the band so great. We have the heavy and fast track "Zeig Dich" that takes you for quite a spin, while "Ausländer" is leaning more on the keyboard, creating a whole different heavy mood. There is also a much softer part of the record in the second half with the trio "Was Ich Liebe", "Diamant", and "Weit Weg", allowing the band to show their more gentle side. Of course, it would not be a Rammstein record of there was no filth in it, and while the band is surprisingly restraint in that part of their image, they do let lose in the subtle song "Sex", showing once again that they have not lost their immature side. Also, it does not surprise me one bit that the most chaotic song of the record is named "Puppe", going away from all expectations.
Ultimately, we have to ask this final question, was this album worth the ten year wait? I would say it definitely was, because while their last couple of albums were not exactly bad, they did not live up to what the band was capable of. "Rammstein" however does so, displaying a band that is loving life and each other, a band that can step away from the scene in several years and come back just as good, if not better. It is great to hear these crazy Germans back in action, and even greater to see that the album itself did not represent its cover. Rammstein über alles!
Songs worthy of recognition: Deutschland, Zeig Dich, Ausländer, Sex
Rating: 8,5/10 Tattoos
truck.rammstein.de/de/
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