Album Review: Rammstein - 'Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da'

Listening to a Rammstein album is like watching the Matrix – god knows what is going on but it is nevertheless interesting and engaging. To the listener with no knowledge of the German language, Rammstein could be singing about teddy bears and rainbows (Wer wartet mit Besonnenheit – we are none the wiser?)  

The industrial metal group’s sixth studio album entitled Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (or translated, Love is there for everyone) is consistently solid. Renowned for their overstated theatrics, Rammstein can certainly never be classified as ambiguous in either image or sound.   From the picture of the band preparing to carve up a naked woman on the album’s cover to the overtly literal single ‘Pussy’, Rammstein are deliberate, with no care for outside perception.  

Opener ‘Rammlied’ is representative and indicative of the German’s sound. A dark and atmospheric beginning gives ways to a strong European menace. Singing behemoth, Till Lindemann is again a presence behind the mike – his deep and booming voice a trademark of the Rammstein musical persona.  

Always pushing the envelope, ‘Pussy’, the album’s only English sung song is ridiculously obvious in meaning and delivery. Is it to be taken with a grain or salt or to be received seriously? Knowing Rammstein, who can discern? The song is probably the number one anthem in the underground German strip clubs at the moment.  

Other standout tracks, namely ‘Waidmanns Heil’ and ‘Wiener Blut’ have an almost Tool feel to them, minus the layered complexity. The riffs are loud and the rhythm section driving. Each song an amalgamation of prominent industrial sounds, with thrash sections and strong European influences. 

This album is quite decent but something tells me Rammstein do their best work in a live setting.

‘Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da’ delivers everything one would expect from a Rammstein album. Lindemann stills gives the impression that he is ready to launch through the speakers and rip your head off. For Rammstein that can only be a good thing as it means they are doing their job.

1. Rammlied
2. Ich Tu Dir Wek
3. Waidmanns Heil
4. Haifisch
5. B********
6. Frohling In Paris
7. Wiener Blut
8. Pussy
9. Liebe Ist For Alle Da
10. Mehr
11. Roter Sand