Unlike other storied metal artists from their homeland, witnessing a Rammstein live-music spectacle can’t help but beg the question: what is the allure to American fans of a band that sings nearly all of its songs in German?
Popular sing-alongs such as “Du Hast” may have something to do with it. So too could be unorthodox costumes. How about a keyboardist who plays while walking on a treadmill?
The most explosive show in metal, complete with a flamethrower lighting up the stage triggered by a bloodied-chef vocalist, certainly plays a major part. It’s an attraction that must be seen to be believed from the group whose name translates to “ramming stone.”
But all of that combined still could thank Rammstein’s 2 1/2 decades of controversial yet catchy music for causing approximately 40,000 metalheads to partake in the group’s first San Antonio visit in 10 years last Saturday night at the Alamodome.
So what if the lyrics aren’t in English!
While this must be what it feels like for fans in other nations to sit through their favorite artists singing in a language secondary to their own, at least English is the universal language. Nevertheless, in metal speak, headbanging and tossing them thar horns skyward is as universal as it gets no matter the words on the other end.
That’s what helped make Rammstein’s latest visit one for the memory books.
Touring in support of Zeit — “time” — the German band that has not once altered its original six-pack lineup since forming in 1994 put on another dazzling display of part rock show, part apocalyptic meltdown (see 67-photo slideshow below).
Preceded by French pianists Duo Abelard performing Rammstein songs instrumentally (no media photography was approved for its performance), Rammstein would begin the show with an announcement prior to its entrance beckoning “the band respectfully asks that you do not film the show.” Of couse, that plea would fall mostly on deaf ears.
And so Rammstein began its fiery journey appearing one at a time. Drummer Christoph Schneider, bassist Oliver Riedel, keyboardist Christian “Flake” Lorenz and guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe set the stage for vocalist Till Lindemann. As the methodical proceedings of Zeit’s opening track “Armee der Tristen” filled the dome, a singular sound-off of pyro that could only be described as bombastic set its own stage for the next 2 1/2 hours.
Unfortunately, media members were forced to miss 5 1/2 songs beginning with third offering “Links 2 3 4” while sorting through instructions and waivers in the bowels of the Alamodome for the permitted photography that was to come halfway through the set. Thanks to some of those who ignored the no-video request, it was discovered post-show that some of the action missed included a baby carriage being set on fire and Lindemann donning a contraption that had flames bursting out of his chest.
And those were just appetizers. The largest fire of the night came courtesy of Lindemann’s flamethrower during “Mein Teil” as the singer dressed as a chef with a blood-soaked hat and apron who “cooked” Lorenz while the latter was standing in a pot.
Other fan favorites such as “Du Riechst So Gut,” “Engel,” “Sonne” and “Sehnsucht” helped soothe this writer’s brief disappointment in the band leaving out the 2002 Vin Diesel-led “XXX” movie hit “Feuer Frei,” “Amerika” and “Mutter” — though Rammstein did play four tunes from the album of the latter’s name. Considering this night marked the third consecutive September the band and the Alamo City attempted to make this show happen due to Covid-19, the third time was definitely the charm, particularly for those who’d been holding onto tickets since 2020. Heck, the occasion was so big, Landers and Kruspe even shared a kiss at one point, to loud approval.
With apologies to German brethren Scorpions (in town tonight at Freeman Coliseum), Accept (headlining the 1920 San Antonio nightclub at The Espee Pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 4), Udo Dirkschneider, Kreator, Doro Pesch and Helloween, any video circulating from this show in spite of Rammstein’s pre-show request can be blamed on a simple formula: everything is bigger in Texas + Rammstein always puts on a huge production = one of the loudest gigs in recent memory.
It’s why some exited the dome claiming they couldn’t hear what their significant other was trying to tell them, even once outside in the quiet hazy summer night.
And it helped explain that the task of answering why American metalheads are fascinated by a band whose only usage of English was in the form of “San Antonio” and “you’ve got a pussy. I’ve got a dick. So what’s the problem? Let’s do it . . . quick” ultimately gave way to just going with the flow — and headbanging with the pyro.
Danke schon, Rammstein.
