Album Review: Rammstein's Mutter

You've probably heard of Rammstein. They're the crazy Germans everyone knows for "Du Hast". They're also known for their wild live shows that feature roaring pyrotechnics and insane stage props like guns, crossbows, burning angel wings, and exploding babies. (Not real ones … I hope).

  Many people dismiss this bizarre Industrial Metal act as pure gimmickry, a fad that will fizzle out after a few years. This has proven false. Rammstein is popular as ever in all their shock-rock glory. They have shaped a unique blend of heavy metal and electronics that is staggeringly powerful and yet melodic.

For me, Rammstein's crowning achievement was their third studio album: Mutter. Meaning "Mother" in German, this album carved a new niche for Rammstein. The songs now used orchestral and choral sounds as well as an excellent production quality. Let's dive in and analyze the CD track by track.


1-Mein Herz Brennt (My Heart Burns)

The album opens with the sweep of a dark string section and the threatening whisper of lead vocalist, Till Lindemann.  Then, the song erupts into a mid-tempo stomp of guitars with a keyboard-strings melody. A strong album opener which features Lindemann's signature style: first menace, then attack.

2-Link 2 3 4 (Left 2-3-4)

An Anti-Nazi song with a militaristic beat and war machine sound effects. A very straight-forward but satisfying march of destruction.

3-Sonne (Sun)

One of Rammstein's all-time greatest tracks. The memorable guitar riff plows in with a bassy chug that defined Rammstein from this point on. The lyrics are a dire countdown to extinction and the instruments echo that same power with a simple yet brutal attack. The keyboard part uses vocal samples that sound eerily like Snow White singing: an entrancing effect.

4-Ich Will (I Want)

A change of pace from the other songs. Till chants over a relatively calm synth part in the verses and then a crowd joins him in a call and response for the chorus: "Do you hear me?" "We hear you!"

5-Feuer Frei! (Fire at Will)

Possibly Rammstein's heaviest song. With nearly thrash metal speed, grinding industrial keyboards and Till shouting "Bang! Bang!" this is a bombastic thrill ride made for a live setting. A disarmingly beautiful part of the song, however, is when it briefly slows down and Till sings a vulnerable, soft melody about the meaning of pain.

Live performance of Feuer Frei.

                                                        

6-Mutter (Mother)

A fascinating song. With acoustic guitars, strings, and a mournful melody, this is another change of pace. The lyrics are about a man made from science with no mother. It's very theatrical and exaggerated but that's what Rammstein has always been about. A great song with an extremely catchy guitar hook to boot.

7-Speiluhr (Music-box)

A pretty standard hard rock song that rises above average by having an interesting chorus. The lead guitarist's daughter, Khira Lindemann, sings through a sci-fi vocal filter. The lyrics tell an interesting fable about a lost child.

8-Zwitter (Look it up…this is a family-friendly blog.)

A strange sounding song with a punk rock feel. My least favorite of the tracks because the guitar riffs and vocal lines are forgettable. Otherwise a solid song because of the firm rhythm.

9-Rein, Raus (In, Out)

A song with obvious, crude innuendos. If you can get past the tongue in cheek meaning and focus on the sound, it's a very solid track. The chugging guitar line is powerful and the keyboard strings add extra color to the mix.

10-Adios (Goodbye)

After a weird, squealing intro, the song launches into a fast-paced, upbeat song. There are a lot more major chords in this one, giving it a less ominous feel than most of Mutter. The fast pace and catchy vamping solo make this track pure fun.

11-Nebel (Fog)

A surprise twist ending: Rammstein shows its versatility by ending with a sincere ballad. Lindemann spreads his melodic wings with his trademark clean bass voice. It's a powerfully sentimental song and an ambitious way to close the album.


Pros:
-Till Lindemann's voice is powerful and versatile from the mournful croon of Mutter and Nebel to the roar of Feuer Frei.
-The guitars have a simple yet very powerful sound.
-The synths and strings add an intriguing touch to the theatrical mood.
-Some songs have insightful lyrics like Mutter and Sonne.
-There are no bad or forgettable tracks

Cons:
-Some of the riffs later on the album are a bit monotonous. Spieluhr and Zwitter come to mind.
-The lyrics are hit and miss. I don't speak German but even I can tell that Rein, Raus is childish.

Key tracks: Sonne, Mutter, Feuer Frei

Conclusion:
Mutter is an underrated album and a high watermark in Rammstein's career. It has the strongest track list of any of their albums with no true duds. Yes, the lyrics aren't perfect and the last half of the album has a few uninspired riffs, but these are minor complaints. The sound is explosive and emotional in Rammstein's huge, theatrical way.

4.5/5 Excellent

 

Strange but creative video for Sonne, a highlight track.