Rammstein
RDS, Dublin
★★★★★
A Rammstein gig is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. As the legend goes, the Titan Prometheus stole fire from the Olympian gods, only to be punished by enduring the daily torment of an eagle feasting on his liver. Emulating the raw power of this fiery tale, Rammstein utilises flame and theatrics to create the greatest spectacle in live concerts.
Despite most people in Ireland being unfamiliar with them, this band managed to attract a massive crowd of 38,000 fans to the RDS. Rising from the musical roots of Europe, their unique blend of Kraftwerk-inspired electronic sounds and the fervour of thrash metal has positioned them as a favourite amongst various generations of metal devotees. They defy the conventional belief that global success is only attainable by singing in English.
The concert was attended by a noticeable number of Germans, suggesting a gathering of expats or even music fans travelling specifically to Ireland. Many fans clearly distinct in their familiarity with the lyrics. However, whether they understood the German language and its nuances is questionable. Perhaps including Rammstein’s lyrics as coursework in German classes should be an idea for the Department of Education.
Finding the accurate term to encapsulate a Rammstein gig can become an intense bout with a thesaurus. ‘Incendiary’ seems the most suited given that the band crafts an enthralling 2-hour performance involving fire and smoke while operating on a set that parallels the Apollo launch pad of Cape Canaveral.
The performance kicks off with an explosive entrance. Five out of the six band members descend onto the main stage from a tower while lead vocalist Till Lindemann emerges in a burst of fire and smoke, both literally and symbolically.
Unique theatrics include Lindemann setting a colossal baby carriage alight during ‘Puppe’. ‘Mein Teil’ entails Lindemann using a flame-throwing cannon directed at keyboardist Christian Lorenz, aka Flake, who continues to perform, unfazed, within a giant cauldron engulfed in fire.
Despite having executed these stunts repeatedly, the audience remains captivated. Later, Lindemann turns his flame-thrower onto the audience, showering them in an overhead blaze, and creating a thrilling speculation of ‘what if it fails this time?’.
In their repertoire, the distinct piano piece Zeit seems an unusual selection, yet it fittingly leads into Deutschland where the band members appear as skeletons holding flaming torches. One thing’s certain, there’s no threat of boredom with this lively group.
Crowd-surfing at a Rammstein show reaches new heights. During the final pre-encore song, Engel, which becomes an instrumental, the band takes to the audience on a pair of inflatables, effortlessly bobbing atop a sea of fans.
The performance would be purely aesthetic if Rammstein didn’t back it up with memorable tunes. Music from each of their seven studio albums is featured, demonstrating the consistency of a band with roots back to 1995. The concert opens with Ramm 4, a self-tribute track that references some of their greatest hits.
After a two-hour spell, the show wraps up with Adieu from the recently dropped album Zeit. If there’s one minor gripe with this brilliant spectacle, it would be the Irish weather, which for once, was too accommodating. A clear, balmy summer evening is far from undesirable, but a smattering of traditional Irish overcast could have rendered the pyrotechnics and lighting show even more dramatic, especially in an open-air, midsummer concert with a 10 pm finish. The lingering sunlight also dulled the visibility of the large screens until the later portion of the gig.
Still, one can’t expect perfection. It’s hard not to wish this show could be brought inside arenas.
The Rammstein RDS setlist included:
– Ramm 4
– Links 2-3-4
– Keine Lust
– Sehnsucht
– Asche zu Asche
– Mein Herz brennt
– Puppe
– Wiener Blut
– Zeit
– Deutschland (Richard Kruspe remix)
– Deutschland
– Radio
– Mein Teil
– Du hast
– Sonne
First encore:
– Engel
– Ausländer
– Du riechst so gut
– Pussy
– Ich will
Second encore:
– Rammstein
– Adieu
– Sonne (Piano version)
– Haifisch (Olsen Involtini Haiswing remix)
– Lügen