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Class 6(66)

Rammstein: Herzeleid

17/09/09  ||  Trauma

Released: 1995

Introduction

You’ve heard of these guys, right? Go ahead and name at least one song by them, I guarantee it’s something you can do even if you absolutely loathe them which is certainly possible. “Du hast”? “Feuer frei”? “Amerika”? You know those, don’t you? What about “Seeman”? You know, that song about Jürgen Prochnow that’s been covered by shit(tier… haha?) bands pretty horribly. Well, it comes from this album.

Songwriting

9. This album doesn’t have all the “hits” like their next few albums would have, but I hold the songwriting here pretty high in respect. It sounded like nothing else did when I first heard it. You’ve got some nice little references like the shotgun lock n’ load sample from the DOOM game (also where Schneider got his nickname) in the first song, the weirdly catchy chorus and melody from “Der meister”. The arrangement of tunes on the album is damn good, as well. “Seeman” plateaus the album (in a good way), and then once “Du riechst…” it begins adding the momentum you get until the very end. The guitars are pretty simplistic but heavy. In a repetitive type of music like this, that’s all that could be asked of them. “Ich bin doch nur ein Gigolo”.

Production

8. The output isn’t too high, but when you get it up loud you can hear everything and it’s all got a very good mix and sound. Plus, the kicks don’t have that electronic sound to them like they choose to use on Sehnsucht. That adds an extra half a point. It’s just not a heavy enough production for what I like with this music, if you understand what I’m saying. “Hab’ keine Lust mich anzufassen”.

Guitars

7. Like I was kinda getting at before, the guitars aren’t something that you’ll necessarily get your panties wet over. Simple and heavy, with a good distortion to them. They are very fun to play along with when you are just starting out on guitar, too. “Weiche Teile und auch harte”.

Vocals

9.5. I like Till. I instantly know his voice. What first comes across a bit forced in “Seeman”, his approach to singing is pretty good as well. Also, the aggressive pounding on his thighs in concert and the “Du riechst…” video… “Meine Haut gehört den Herren”.

Bass

8. He’s pushed back a bit in the mix with the keyboards and guitars, but still receives his chance to shine on songs like “Seeman”. He’s definitely a great bassist and always has a good sound, it’s just a bit harder to notice it on this record. “überall Fischmilch”.

Drums

9.5. Schneider is a fantastic drummer. He is solid and knows when to stay the fuck back, which is always. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him do anything flashy, or anything remotely close to a blast beat, but I’d want no other drummer behind the kit in this band. Consistently good throughout his entire career. “konnt ich mich schon selbst befruchten”.

Lyrics

7.5. I always like their lyrics. These just don’t come across as poignant as the others. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still all the sadomasochistic, sexual, perverted-sorta lyrics. They just hadn’t done anything quite hilarious as “Mann gegen mann” yet. “Deine Größe macht mich klein”.

Cover art

6. If you like oiled and in shape men with only two tones of hair color, this is your album cover. It certainly is(was) for me. Err, wait… “Der Zweibeiner hat sich gebückt”.

Logo

6. Pretty ugly. But you can recognize it anywhere, I’m sure. “dann fass ich an die nasse Haut”.

Booklet

5. Portraits of the band members, lyrics that are just printed one after the other making you actually have to pay attention to the verses and choruses to know that’s what you’re reading. It could have been done way better. Like full body poses for the pics or something. “Ich nehm dich zärtlich in den Arm”.

Overall and ending rant

I’d be hard-pressed between a bunch of oily, shirtless Germans to not like this album. While the production lacks it, the tunes make up for it being catchy and heavy a the same time. They developed their sound further on the next two albums, but this – for me – is where it’s most consistent. “Der Ritt war kurz, es tut mir leid”.

8,5

  • Information
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Motor Music
  • Website: www.rammstein.de
  • Band
  • Till Lindemann: vocals
  • Richard Z. Kruspe: guitars
  • Paul Landers: guitars
  • Oliver Riedel: bass
  • Christoph “Doom” Schneider: drums
  • Flake: keyboards
  • Tracklist
  • 01. Wollt ihr das bett in flammen sehen?
  • 02. Der meister
  • 03. Weißes fleisch
  • 04. Asche zu asche
  • 05. Seemann
  • 06. Du riechst so gut
  • 07. Das alte leid
  • 08. Heirate mich
  • 09. Herzeleid
  • 10. Leichzeit
  • 11. Rammstein

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