At 20.30 the lights dim on a packed LG Arena, and slowly a large walkway bridge descends from the roof to bridge the stage to a small centre pod by the mixing desk. From the side of the arena a slow procession emerges, led by a flame bearer, and slowly marching through the crowd the band make their way to the centre pod.
Stood, heads bowed, the pod elevates to the bridge and one by one they march to the stage, forming a line-up.
As Till Lindemann counts 1 to 10, the band take their positions and then they launch into “Sonne”.
The sound is immense, and the stage set whilst at first appears basic soon develops its own life, as pyros and flames launch from the front and back of the stage, the heat given off almost unbearable.
This European tour is to support 2011’s ‘Made in Germany’ album, from which a large section is played tonight. Each song has different effects, from burning microphone stands, to showers of sparks, to flaming wings on the back of Till during “Engel” but one highlight for me was a large cauldron, which contained Doktor Christian ‘Flake’ Lorenz playing keyboards, until Till tries to poach him using a flame-thrower. When this fails a larger flame thrower is used until the whole cauldron explodes!
Flake then is passed over the standing crowd in a dingy, and within seconds a member of the crowd manages to climb into it with him. Flake looks concerned at first, but the punter simply stands up, punching the air and banging his head, and enjoying the occasion for all it is.
Halfway through the set, the bridge descends once again, and shackled together they move on hands and knees to the small centre pod, where they play two songs, including ‘Buck Dich’, the end of which Till produces a phallus from his trousers to then climax all over the crowd. It’s a truly unique moment.
The finale of the set takes place back on the main stage, and ends with ‘Pussy’ during which Till mounts a large industrial size mixer, designed like a penis, from which he spurts yet more fluids over the crowd, and he moves all over the whole pit area to ensure a good coverage of the crowd.
I’ve not seen Rammstein before, but in 31 years of gigs it’s one of the most memorable, unique and entertaining gigs I’ve had the honour of seeing. It was a privilege, and whilst the music is stunning, executed to perfection, the stage set and effects simply take the show to another level that very few artists could even conceive to come close to.
Amazing doesn’t even come close!
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