Information
Date: September 2001
Title: German Engineering
Source: Guitar World
Press Article
"We recorded nearly 26 tracks of guitar for the new album. It makes for a much bigger sound over all, don't you think?"
The fact that these words are spoken by a small, middle-aged German woman is disconcerting, until one realizes that she's merely translating for Rammstein's two guitarists, Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe. The band members deliver interviews, like their lyrics, in their native tongue.
Of course, it's Rammstein's multi-layered, twin-guitar strum-und-drang that speaks loudest to the masses of kids who don't give a damn what language a song is sung in, as long as it kicks ass. In that respect, Mutter (Universal), the band's latest release, is bound to please. The album builds on the sonic formula of grinding guitars, four-on-the-floor drums and sizzling synths that served the group so well on its last album, Sehnsucht. But Rammstein pushes the industrial-metal sound even further by adding military orchestras, choral ensembles and epic soundscapes.
"Sehnsucht" was, in many ways, a sloppy album," says Kruspe. "There were more drugs involved in the recording process than there should have been, and I think it shows. This time out, we decided that we'd only focus on the music and push ourselves as far as we could.
Of course, no discussion of Rammstein would be complete without bringing up the topic of fire, which plays a major role in the band's live performances. Known for delivering a pyrotechnic show that puts local fire departments in ready mode, the band believes even that aspect of their career has room to grow.
"We don't want to give too much away," says Landers. "But let's just say that if the fire marshals were worried about our last tour, they'll be terrifed of this one." The guitarist pauses and then grins broadly. "I can't wait."