Album Reviews
Untitled UNIVERSAL
It’s been ten long years since the last Rammstein record hit shelves, but the wait is finally over. The undisputed masters of heavy-as-hell industrial music are back with an untitled (or self-titled) album that’s capable of crushing the planet. Since day one, Rammstein’s unchanged lineup hasn’t really screwed with the core sound. And why would they? The combination of catchy guitar hooks, dance-driven synths and beats, operatic harmonies and brutal, bone-crushing riffs forged a unique identity for the band. And yet, each album plays with the formula just enough to stop their style from becoming homogenous. This time, they’ve added one mantra to the core sound – make it big.
Of course, there’s no such thing as a soft Rammstein record, but the sheer scale of this LP goes well beyond the usual bombast into something truly gargantuan. Crunchy ‘80s-esque thrash riffs and synthwave, punkish screams, bass-heavy four-four chug blended with ghoulish choirs, roaring guitar solos and romp-stomping drums – almost every inch of Rammstein is sheer power that’s designed to get you on your feet.
But because Rammstein builds drama by slamming a semi-trailer through people’s speakers, it often lacks the delicate touch that they’vee otherwise expertly entwined around music that punches through your body like a nail gun. It rarely feels dark, angry, brooding, shocking, soulful, uplifting or evil – just large, driving, sweaty, cutting and pumping with powerful masculinity.
Of course, it’s not entirely formulaic. Each track has its own personality with very little in the way of filler. The raunchy, filthy, down-to-f**k side of Rammstein throw subtlety to the wind and get groovy during “Sex”, which is the album’s biggest banger. “Diamant” is the trademark ballad, “Puppe” sees Lindemann tearing his throat out with naught but a drum beat behind him, and “Ausländer” will be right at home in a nightclub at 2am. But most these experiments don’t quite hit the mark and unfortunately, Rammstein is really at its best when the band falls back on familiar territory.
Still, there’s something to be said for the triumphant, swelling feeling you get in your chest when the bass hits hard, and the tightly controlled riffs that electrify your limbs while swirling synths throw your head into a spin. Though the emotional journey is somewhat singular, Rammstein is still an engaging, explosive collection of stadium anthems that will undoubtedly go off with a bang – literally.