Infamous 'anti-gay law' author wants to prosecute Rammstein

United Russia deputy Vitaly Milonov, the author of the infamous law banning homosexuality and pedophile propaganda that was adopted on Wednesday by the Petersburg city duma, wants to ban shows by the German rock group Rammstein, using this new law. 

«During their recent concert in Saint-Petersburg, this group showed lecherous actions onstage," said Vitaly Milonov, originator of this law. "Keep in mind that adolescents could have come to this concert". "After the law is signed by the Governor, I'll appeal to the Prosecution office, asking them to prosecute the musicians," he added.


Milonov also said that in The USA, Rammstein had already been brought to court for the same lechery, receiving 6 months probation and $10,000 fine.


Rammstein shows are rather brave, during their last concert on St. Valentine's day, the musicians imitated a sexual act between two men.
It's unclear though, how could Milonov ask to prosecute someone according to the law that was not in force when the 'crime' was allegedly commited.

Rammstein rock Dublin’s O2

Monday 27 February saw Dublin’s o2 Arena turned into a fiery furnace of heavy metal. German metal band Rammstein were in town.

Not knowing much of their material, I have always been interested in seeing their stage show that so many others had told me about. So when I heard that the band would be playing in Dublin I decided to go.

Although the bus journey was long and uncomfortable, my decision to go was well worth it.

As soon as we arrived at the O2, it was easy to see that Rammstein definitely have a large following in Ireland. A queue, of what we thought, were those who had standing tickets, was almost around the building.

Rammstein were supported by Deathstars, a Swedish gothic metal band. Aesthetically, the band reminded me of the Black Veil Brides, though sounded so much better, albeit, a little bit ‘samey’.

Nevertheless, Deathstars whipped the standing crowd into a frenzy, with lead singer, Whiplasher Bernadotte, asking the metal mass to “show some tongue for Rammstein”, before leaving the stage giving everyone a breather to get excited for the headlining act.

For those who have seen Rammstein before will agree that their stage show is definitely a sight to behold, which, in my opinion, makes up for the fact that not many understand what they are singing about, as the majority of their songs are performed purely in German.

Rammstein rattled through all of their hits, including “Feuer Frei”, “Du Hast” and “Wollt Ihr Das Bett In Flammen Sehen”, with each song being a lot louder and more exciting that the last.

Pyrotechnics are not lacking, and during most songs, the stage is basically set on fire. We saw lead singer Till Lindemann doused in flames, as well as wearing black angel wings, with flames being spat from the tips.

Various different explosions at different points in the evening kept the crowd on their toes, as even though I was sitting at the back of the arena, I still felt burnt from the heat and jumped at the bangs of the fireworks.

The lyrics, however, do not take away from the musical talent of the band. All members, including the keyboard player (who didn’t stop walking on a treadmill throughout the whole show) are very talented.

Lead singer, Lindemann, has the onstage personality of some sort of dictator, commanding his every move to the frenzied crowd, not to mention a fantastic voice. I haven’t seen so many people bouncing up and down at one time to a band before.

All in all, a good night was had by all, judging by the hazy smoke filled arena at the end of the show.

My favourite song of the night was “Engel”, which saw Till emerge from below the stage wearing a gigantic pair of angel wings, which spat flames out from the tips.

For those who have not yet had the opportunity to see Rammstein, I urge you to book your tickets the next time the German metal warriors are in your town – a show not to be missed!

Rammstein March Through The O2 Arena

Live: Rammstein

Rammstein at LG Arena Birmingham

Rammstein  LG Arena, Birmingham - 25th February 2012

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!

Rammstein light up London with giant flames and industrial metal

It's not for the faint hearted but those who are brave enough to enter the realm of Rammstein are in for a treat

Even though you know they’re coming, it’s somehow still a surprise when giant flames shoot out of a stage floor and you can feel their heat from 100 feet away.

For most bands, that’s the limit of their pyrotechnical ambitions but it’s barely a warm up for Rammstein, the German rock monsters who brought their signature mix of thumping heavy metal, spectacular stage performances, and just plain craziness to London last night.

A sold out O2 was on its feet from the moment the band entered via a side entrance and made their way to the stage along an overhead gantry, directly above the fans in the middle of the arena.

Rammstein are on their Made in Germany tour, showcasing their greatest hits from over 15 years in the business, and they all made spectacular appearances here.

Opening with Sonne, with Till Lindeman’s powerful vocals on top form from the start, the band worked through the album with Keine Lust, Ich Will, Mein Herz Brennt, Mutter, Du Riechts So Gut and Links 2 3 4 getting a flame-and firework-filled airing.

Amongst it all, keyboardist Christian Lorenz rode an inflatable dingy around the venue  propelled by the hands of the fans underneath, guitarists Richard Kruspe and Paul Landers strummed away with fireworks exploding from their microphone stands, and drummer Christoph Schneider lead the rest of the band on chains to the smaller stage in the middle of the arena - where they gave us a fantastic rendition of Ohne Dich, before closing with Amerika and Pussy. 

A Rammstein concert is more than a simple music gig, it’s almost performance art - and with a few tickets still available for the rest of their UK tour, it’s a performance you'd be crazy to miss

Rammstein set to light up Birmingham LG Arena

German metal legends Rammstein bring their incendiary show to Birmingham’s LG Arena on Saturday (February 25, 2012).

Known for their ear-busting sounds and impressive pyrotechnic stage displays, they hit the stage at the LG Arena tomorrow in support of their greatest hits album, Made In Germany 1995-2011.

Fans will get to hear tracks from the past two decades – but having been together since 1994, the band say it hasn’t always been an easy ride.

“There were moments when none of us knew how to proceed. We couldn’t agree anymore, musically speaking,” says lead guitarist Richard Kruspe.

“When the album was finally finished, it was also a great relief. During the production we simply had to make too many decisions. With six people that can be hell.”

In the interview, with Rolling Stone in Germany, he added that the group had found the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle straining.

“The tours are not the problem, rather the parties,” he said. If you would go immediately to the hotel after the show – easy. But if you continue to party until dawn, it becomes increasingly difficult to get out of bed.”