10.20.2010

Rammstein to light up Bell Centre


Fire-loving German industrial band Rammstein is booked for a show at the Bell Centre on Dec. 9, with opening act Combichrist. Tickets cost $39.50 to $74.50 and go on sale Saturday at noon at the venue and through Evenko. Order by phone at 514-790-2525 or online at www.evenko.ca.
Renowned for its use of pyrotechnics in concert, the group performed in Quebec City this summer during the Festival d'ete. The Bell Centre show is the only scheduled Canadian stop on the forthcoming leg of the tour, and will be Rammstein's first Montreal appearance since 2001.


Concert news: Rammstein Dec. 9

 
Local Input~ Members of the German band Rammstein (from left) Christoph Schneider, Paul Landers and Till Lindemann as they arrive for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 in Munich 01 November 2007.
 

Local Input~ Members of the German band Rammstein (from left) Christoph Schneider, Paul Landers and Till Lindemann as they arrive for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 in Munich 01 November 2007.

Photograph by: Joerg Koch, AFP

MONTREAL - Fire-loving German industrial band Rammstein is booked for a show at the Bell Centre on Dec. 9, with opening act Combichrist. Tickets cost $39.50 to $74.50 and go on sale Saturday at noon at the venue and through Evenko. Order by phone at 514-790-2525 or online at www.evenko.ca.
Renowned for its use of pyrotechnics in concert, the group performed in Quebec City this summer during the Festival d’été. The Bell Centre show is the only scheduled Canadian stop on the upcoming leg of the tour, and will be Rammstein’s first Montreal appearance since 2001.

10.15.2010

Rammstein: Madison Square Garden Concert Sells Out In Thirty Minutes


Tickets sold out in only thirty minutes for the legendary German band Rammstein's December 11 performance at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City. This will be the only US show by the Berlin-based six-piece band, which has not performed in the United States since 2001. The show was announced September 27, tickets went on sale for the show Friday, October 8 at noon Eastern and before an hour passed, tickets were officially sold out. This makes Rammstein the first German band in history to accomplish such a feat.
The band’s appearance at Quebec's Summer Festival in July 2010 already lured thousands of US fans to cross the border into Canada and since last fall, Rammstein's formidable live show traversed Europe in twenty 18-wheelers packed with pyrotechnics, flame-throwers, bazookas and enough ordnance to level a small country. Rammstein first stormed America in 1998, touring with a set based on their Grammy-nominated breakthrough second release, "Sehnsucht", featuring "Du Hast", the song prominently featured in David Lynch's film "Lost Highway".
 In a recent interview with Seattle Gay News, Rammstein guitarist Richard Kruspe was asked when fans could expect to see the band perform in America again. "Good question," he replied. "Actually, we talked about it today, a lot. What we plan to do right now is a lot of things — we're not 20 anymore, so things have changed for us. At the moment, it looks like America is the only market where we cannot provide the same show as we play in the rest of the world. So we have to be balanced, like, what makes financial sense? One of my dreams is Madison Square Garden — just to play one show and to feel out, like if there is a need for us, are people waiting for us, what can we do, what would be the next step? It can change, nothing is set in stone, nothing is confirmed, but we've talked about what's the best thing, so the fans are happy and the band is happy. But I'm a big supporter of the American market."

Rammstein becomes first German band to sell out MSG

Germany has spawned its share of cross-the-pond successes. Scorpions. Kraftwerk. Nena. All sold a ton of records, but no German band ever sold out Madison Square Garden. Until now. What musical pioneers are breaking Germany’s legendary MSG slump, you might ask? Why, it’s none other than Rammstein, the hard rock outfit whose most recent hit boasts the chorus, “You’ve got a pussy. I have a dick. Let’s get together. Let’s do it quick.”
Well, they did do it quick. When tickets for their December 11th show went on sale last week, the 19,000 seats disappeared in under an hour. The band’s 10-year absence from America certainly boosted demand. In that decade, their overseas concerts have been the stuff of legend. On one recent tour, they performed in lederhosen and corsets. In another, they played in diapers after emerging, Flaming Lips-style, from a giant uterus. During every show, singer Till Lindemann sprays the crowd with a strap-on penis. So, yeah, those 19,000 fans will probably get their money’s worth. Assuming you consider getting soaked in fake urine to be getting your money’s worth.

10.08.2010

Win Tickets To Rammstein At Madison Square Garden


Rammstein
In December, German industrial rockers Rammstein will be playing their first and only U.S. show in a decade. And they're hitting America as hard as their muscular tunes hit your ears: the band will be headlining at none other than New York's Madison Square Garden on Dec. 11. The tickets literally just went on sale today at 12pm ET, but we've scored a great pair of tickets to give away to one lucky fan. Want to win the tickets? All you have to do is fill in the form below completely by Dec. 1, 2010. Viel Glück! (Good Luck!)

Win Rammstein Tickets

RAMMSTEIN LIVE IN NYC: Ticket sale starts today!

On Dec. 11th, 2010, Rammstein play their only U.S. show at New York's legendary Madison Square Garden.

Tickets for this unique opportunity to see probably the most exclusive event in Rammstein's history will be available here starting today from 12pm (New York, Eastern Standard Time).


As support for this special evening Combichrist have been confirmed, who played successfully for a large number of the shows on Rammstein's recent European tour. 


Russian commies in Rammstein row

Communists in Nizhny Novgorod face a potential copyright row after mimicking the art work and music of cult German rock band Rammstein in their campaign materials.
But while a court in the city considers whether their video ad has stolen from the band, others might question borrowing from a group once described as “poster boys for the master race” and accused of Nazi sympathies.
Nizhny communist chief Nikolai Ryabov defended himself against charges of plagiarism, saying that experts had yet to confirm that the music was even by Rammstein and not a cover version or a similar band, Komsomolskaya Pravda reported.

Combichrist to support Rammstein at MSG show in New York

 
Metropolis recording artists COMBICHRIST have been tapped as main support for RAMMSTEIN's first and only show on U.S. soil in ten years at NYC's legendary Madison Square Garden. The show will take place on Saturday, December 11, 2010.

Rammstein and Combichrist are no strangers to each other. Both bands toured Europe together for four months in 2010, strengthening a tie that ultimately brought them together for what will undoubtedly be an amazing evening of beat-driven metal and industrialized mayhem.

While Rammstein will be returning from a tour of Latin America before this show, Combichrist will have wrapped up their previously announced U.S. Monsters On Tour with Aesthetic Perfection and iVardensphere as support as well as a handful of dates in Australia. Due to the announced Madison Square Garden date, the previously announced New York City date on November 20th has been canceled (refunds available at point of purchase). In addition, the Montreal, QC on November 18th has been canceled as well. Replacement shows on those dates have been announced in Ithaca, NY and Pittsburgh, PA.


Rammstein's Only U.S. Show of 2010 Is at New York's Madison Square Garden

German aggro-industrialists Rammstein are known for their outrageous pyro and often homoerotic stage antics where sex toys that spew liquids are used as props. In 1998, the band members were jailed on indecency charges due to their performances while taking part in the Family Values Tour. So it goes without saying that a Rammstein show is often an event that will shock and inspire awe.

With that in mind, we're pleased to report that Rammstein will play their first -- and only! -- show in the U.S. this year Dec. 11 at Madison Square Garden. It's also the first time the Berlin six-piece has performed in America since 2001. It's been quite the chasm between Rammstein shows on our soil, so the band's return to the Big Apple should be nothing short of a spectacle.

How do we know that? Well, besides the band's history, their European shows required a convoy of 20 trucks carrying pyro, flame throwers, bazookas and other ammo that could level a small country in two seconds flat.

"Everything for this show is perfect -- the timing, the season. We are really pumped to return to the States to play Madison Square Garden -- this is one of the most challenging shows for us in 10 years," bassist Oliver Riedel said in a statement.

The band last toured America in support of 'Mutter' in 2001, where they continued to explore social and sexual taboos. The band still resided in the mouth of controversy during their absence from American touring. Their latest album, 'Liebe ist für alle da,' moved the German government to ban its sale to minors shortly after its release. The order was rescinded a few months later once the culture war was over.

"The American audience has truly awesome rock fans, and I am ecstatic to return to the place where guitar music has such a unique and long tradition," guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe said in a statement. Where better to end their tour of the Americas than in the biggest, best and most culturally open-mined city in the world?

Tickets go on sale on Oct. 8.

10.05.2010

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS

The high-end studio setup of Richard Z. Kruspe is made up of several key components, that each rely on the others to deliver his characteristic full-spectrum sound. Each step of the recording process has been directly and accurately re-created in RAMMFIRE.
 


AMP: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Rev. C (#105)

Built in 1992, this is one of the legendary Dual Rectifiers carrying a pre-500 serial number. Of course, thanks to complex circuitry, no two amps sound exactly the same – but these rare models are said to be of the highest quality, possessing a sound which fans claim was never bettered in further production runs. It's a well loved, sought after amp famed for its high gain, unique attack speed and versatile control.
 


CABINETS: 2 x Mesa/Boogie 4x12

Both are the same build of classic Rectifier cabinets, but one is an original from 1992, the second is a more recent model – you will find they differ in sound and response noticeably. Richard explains this with the aging of the magnets and internal components, nicknaming the older one his 'vintage cabinet'.
 


MICROPHONES: Neumann M149 + Telefunken U47

Richard Z. Kruspe's tried and tested favorites are key for the distinctive recording sound in his studio. Both these long-term residents are attached to a robotic arm, allowing remote adjustment of the mic's placement in relation to the cabinets without leaving the mixing desk.
 


PREAMP: AMS/Neve 1081

A handmade legend from a legendary brand, this is the guitarist's pre-amp of choice - again, he gave every possible preamp a test-run, but he always came back to this favorite for its pristine tone and characteristic EQ boost.
 

DEFINE YOUR PERFECT MIX


All of the equipment we've detailed above is accurately re-created in RAMMFIRE. Aside from 20 ready-to-rock presets, it offers a two-fold approach to sound design through different cabinet & mic modules.

The Control Room feature is like a virtual mixing desk within RAMMFIRE. It allows you to fine-tune your mix, choosing precise blends between the different Matched Cabinets, with or without EQ, and the 2 different Microphones, with or without Pre-amp, so there's a huge range of tone and character to choose from. Choose from presets designed by Richard Z. Kruspe himself, or go deeper and design your own custom tone with the eight faders and pan-pots.

RAMMFIRE RZK

Richard Z. Kruspe on the Rammfire amp emulation

10.02.2010

Big Day Out 2011 line-up, "fresh despite repeat acts"

Big Day Out's Line-Up has been revealed earlier this week, with some critics noting that that the line-ups contains repeat acts. Nevertheless, Big Day Out 2011's line-up is still fresh despite the repeat acts.
Big Day Out's Line-Up has been revealed earlier this week, with some critics noting that that the line-ups contains repeat acts.
"There are a few artists who have been here before, Lupe's been here, the Deftones have been here but that's balanced by the fresh artists coming through," Real Groove Magazine editor Sam Wicks said.
These repeat acts includes German's Rammstein, who was part of the line-up in 2001. Promoter Viv Lees is very pleased with Rammstein's repeat appearance on the show.
''Rammstein were here in 2001, co-headlined with Limp Bizkit, and when that act left the tour  they  took up the slot,'' Lee said.
''With their fireworks and effects, if you like hard rock, they are going to demolish the place.''
Here's the comple line-up for the Big Day Out 2011: 
  • TOOL BLOODY
  • BEETROOTS
  • DEATH CREW
  • 7RAMMSTEINIGGY AND THE STOOGES
  • JOHN BUTLER
  • TRIO
  • M.I.A. 
  • GRINDERMAN
  • WOLFMOTHER
  • LUPE FIASCO
  • BIRDS OF TOKYO
  • THE BLACK KEYS
  • BLISS N ESO
  • DEFTONES
  • PLAN BAIRBOURNE
  • PRIMAL SCREAM
  • ANGUS & JULIA STONE
  • LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
  • THE NAKED AND FAMOUS
  • PNAU
  • DEAD LETTER CIRCUSED
  • WARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS
  • BOOKA SHADE DJs
  • KIDS OF 88
  • THE JIM JONES REVUE
  • CHILDREN COLLIDE
  • ANDREW WK
  • GYROSCOPE
  • LITTLE RED
  • KID KENOBI AND MC SHURESHOCK
  • VITALIC
  • DIE ANTWOORD
  • OPERATOR PLEASE
  • BLUE KING BROWN
  • CSS
  • RATATAT
  • CRYSTAL CASTLES (Auckland and East Coast only) 
  • WILL STYLES and MC HAYLEY BOA
  • GYPSY & THE CAT
  • LOWRIDER
  • SAMPOLOGY

Combichrist interview

Purple Revolver sat down to chat with underground Electrohead Andy Laplegua of Combichrist about facing demons and making monsters.

--

P.Rev: So, Andy, how's 2010 treating you so far?
Andy: It's been explosive (laughs)

P.Rev: Would you say the tour with Rammstein contributed towards the 'explosiveness at all'
Andy: Well of course, but not just that. Just the past year and a half, it's been very very busy.

P.Rev: Do you feel like your were heavily inspired by that tour a lot?
Andy: Sure it was cool playing big arenas with Rammstein but inspiration comes from all around me -- everything. So to say Rammstein was a huge part of that would be unfair on the other stuff.

P.Rev: Is the title Making Monsters a reference to the last album title, Today we are all Demons?
Andy: Yeah, it's like that previous record was about facing and embracing your demons whereas Making Monsters is like...now we're gonna make our own. It's all very cynical and horror themed.

P.Rev: Could you talk us through your lyrical choices?
Andy: Well if I wanted the lyrics to be clearer, I would've written them clearer. It's up to you (laughs) what you think, y'know. It's more personal, though. I was feeling whilst writing.

P.Rev: Well I kinda saw the album in two parts, the first half being very...Combichristy and the second half being more experimental, a little like your other projects, Panzer AG and Scandy.
Andy: That's interesting you think that because I didn't plan it like that at all! Just the order that sounded best to me after listening to the songs a thousand times.

P.Rev: Would you agree the vocals are cleaner on the new record? Less harsh? Less metal?
Andy: Not neccessarily cleaner, no, just...more vocals. The first two albums have no vocals at all so it's just different I guess.

P.Rev: How did you come across finding the Bleeding Through frontman to contribute to Follow the Trail of Blood on your new album?
Andy: It just happened! We're both mutual fans of each other's work and one day just happened to be in Georgia so I was just like, 'wanna sing on my new album?' that's all there is to it.

P.Rev: What made you pick electro and aggrotech music over metal?
Andy: I grew up with metal music with the hardcore scene. There'd be underground illegal shows I'd go to and most of the music was illegal to play live. I don't think it was a conscious choice to choose electro, it's just through the bands I listened to and was inspired by...Law...Ministry. I still love metal but I feel I can express more through what I do now. Don't feel I can bring anything new to metal.

P.Rev: Just going back to the support slot you had with Rammstein, do you feel playing the bigger venues helped you guys get more fans? More publicity.
Andy: Yes and no, I mean, it's upto our promoters to do their thing. Flyers, posters and all that. People obviously hear us at one of the arena shows and they might listen to a song or two online but not neccessarily buy our record. There's not much money in it all!

P.Rev: Must've been amazing to play to such a huge number of people though?
Andy: Oh wow, of course, I mean I love playing hot and sweaty small clubs just as much, but playing arenas is just a different experience. It's like having sex and making love -- both are great -- it's the same act, but a different feel.

P.Rev: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Andy: I just have an on switch (laughs) seriously, I could be so hungover and throwing up all over the place, and I'll just get the guys to just go on stage and play the intro tape. When I hear it I'll bounce on stage and feel amazing. After the show I'm on the floor throwing up again!

P.Rev: I saw you guys playing with Rammstein in Manchester, I guess it's true about people being a completely different person on stage. You seem so laid-back (laughs)
Andy: I'm veryyyy laid-back. People are surprised I don't smoke pot!

P.Rev: So what's the big plan now?
Andy: Touring, just...touring. That's the big plan! Hope to see you all out there.

P.Rev: Thanks a lot Andy
Andy: My pleasure, thank you.