Rammstein "Zeit" (2022)

 

Have Rammstein found their footing again? Three years on from the untitled record with a pandemic wedged in-between, they would have had any excuse for another long absence, as bands quite often do with age. Zeit is a potent return, musicians in stride, armed with new inspirations. Their classic fist pumping Industrial Metal might comes with a measure of maturity and atmosphere. The expectant stomps of chunky mechanical groove take more of a backseat alongside brooding emotive tracks. Slow, scenic strides of soft textures, pianos and synths, bubbling up into swells of expansive guitar distortion seems a common format this time out. It feels refreshing.

The eleven songs play so wonderfully for the album experience as the pacing ebbs and flows between its soft and hard edges with plenty of moody melodies and righteous riffs along the journey. The powerful, deep and clearly enunciated voice of Till Lindemann commands the ship on its voyage. I adore his presence, having not looked up any translations, his animated delivery is mysterious and draws one in like a magnet. On occasion I find my own meanings in the drama of his delivery. Then there's the blemish of Lugen, where Till experiments with auto-tune and the results seem.... out of tune? The manipulations are dreadful, untimely, distorting what seemed like moments of personal emotional magnitude. Perhaps that is the point?

Dickie Titten, a title I don't think I'll translate, has another experimental curiosity that I'm not entirely sure works. On the third repetition of its design, these anthemic horns drop in with playful circus vibes. It gives me the impression of having more significance, as is lifted from some historical German song. Anyways, all in all Zeit is a fine construct, a much more "accessible" record with a production that frequently drops the distortion guitars out, putting less emphasis on the heavy, more so on the craft and subtler synth melodies. The good news is the songwriting is fine and its sways from Industrial groove to broody atmospheres keeps one engaged from front to back.

Rating: 7/10

Rammstein "Rammstein" (2019)

With a ten year absence, German Industrial Metal titans Rammstein return on strong footing with a solid, bold slice of what they are best known for. My personal enjoyment of this untitled, or self titled record, may have been swayed by their lack of existence in my musical rotation over the last decade or so. Its long since the days of youth, when albums Sehnsucht and Mutter where binged frequently. These new songs set a path that doesn't attempt to recreate any former glory but aligns all the components of their distinct, trademarked identity, executing it sweetly on a welcome return to stir all the emotions and sounds they mustered in the past, as well as new ones.

The classic fist pumping, leg pounding stomp personified by brutish front man Till Lindermann's live antics can be felt from start to end. A sweet and sharp, snappy and cushioned snare drum maligns the songs with that charging industrial pounding. The guitars drop in with meaty chugs of palm muting and power chords played with cold rhythmic precision. They are slightly shy in the mix, at times feeling like an undercurrent, rather than the main focus. A string of songs from Puppe to Weit Weg sees the guitars play a more complimentary roll with plenty of absence and other instruments taking control. It works, adds flavor to the flow and yields a fantastic performance from Lindermann on Puppe who delivers intense and snarly shouts with a snatch of venom. It leads into a passageway blackened by nothing other than howling tremolo Black Metal guitars.

To my ears the songs movements and shifts are pivoted on chord progressions from the guitar department but its the electronics that are given ample space to texture and tone these songs. Often with simple and minimal components do they muster a strong sense of atmosphere and color. Their roll is so dynamic and swift at times it can almost feel unnoticed given the big industrial drive from its meatier instruments. The balance and diversity of these dynamics is a highlight. So is the brilliantly triumphant and enigmatic opening track. The German tongue sounding militant and mighty although I have no clue whats really being said. I prefer to leave the lyrical element a mystery, the music is far more intriguing this way. Overall I'm not left with a lot to say, this is a competent Rammstein sounding like they have little difficulty finding inspiration nearing twenty five years on their very robust formulae. It stands up well and has me excited to see them live again!

Favorite Tracks: Deutschland, Radio, Puppe, Tattoo

Rating: 7/10

Download Festival 2016 Top 10 Performances

That's it! Ive officially been going to Donington for a decade and as always music festivals are a wonderful experience, Download being one of the best with three days and four stages of heavy and hard music to get stuck into. This years was the most subdued of all Ive been to, the rain came down as heavy as the metal and really affected the freedom to rock out, head bang and mosh to your hearts content, at least if your me and are not fond of being soaking wet and cold. So cocooned in my waterproofs and ponchos I did my best to stay dry while enjoying some great performances.

(10) Ho99o9

Hailed as a Hip Hop / Punk crossover Ho99o9 are often talked about with Death Grips in mind. This duo take their raps to dark, noisy and aggressive places with sampled punk guitars and a crazy rebellious persona. I only got to catch half there set on the forth stage but it was a blinding riot of aggression, noise and attitude that blew me away.

(9) Rammstein

 Not the first time Ive seen them live and probably not the last. You can count on Rammstein to put on a good show fueled by fire, pyrotechnics and an absurd amounts of fireworks. They were fantastic however I wasn't keen on their cover of Depeche Mode's "Stripped". An energetic show loaded with their classics.

(8) Megadeth

 

Thrash legends Megadeth came out playing a solid set with a few tracks from their latest album "Dystopia" which sounded fantastic live. Loaded with classics like "Hanger 18", "Trust" and "Countdown To Extinction" there was little they could do wrong.

(7) Havok

A classic Thrash Metal band I had not heard of before spotting them on the lineup. Glad I chose to watch them, very fast and energetic thrash like a cross between Slayer and Testament with many climatic and intense moments in their songs to head bang to.

(6) Amon Amarth

An undeniably great Viking Metal band of which Ive never quite clicked with. Their latest record "Jomsviking" was a decent listen and seeing them certainly helped me appreciate them more. Fantastic stage presences with dragons heads and rune stones plus plenty of fire!

(5) Korn

I've not been in the mood for Korn in a while but when they walked on stage I was sucked in. Playing a few more songs than usual from 2003's "Take A Look In The Mirror" their set felt a bit chunkier than usual and I enjoyed every minute of there performance. So good to hear them again.

(4) Periphery

This band well and truly won me over with last years double release of "Alpha" and "Omega". Their performance was tight and flawless with a thick and dense wall of Djemt coming from the four guitarists. It was an infectious performance of groovy head banging that sounded to big for the stage. Set was a little short but that's just because I didn't want it to stop!

(3) Deftones

Probably both the best and worst performance of download but at no fault of the band. Promoting their new record "Gore" I caught them a week back at Wembly warming up for the big stage and they sounded fantastic. On the day though the rain poured and soured what would of been a memorable show, Deftones lined up their more emotional and atmospheric tracks for the sunset slot on the main stage and in the downpour it still sounded fantastic but the weather sucked the life out of the crowd.

(2) Babymetal

Babymetal also suffered the rain with bursts of heavy showers delaying their set for over half an hour. When they finally took to the stage the crowd loved it and so did I! They are even better as a live act and the bands modern compression heavy production sounded sublime on the big stage. The girls danced along with metallic choreography and smiles to fire up everyone's spirits. Definitely would of been in the pit if it wasn't for the mud and rain.

(1) Black Sabbath

The most influential and important band in Metal history would always make it a historic occasion when they play, as part of their farewell tour the band get ready to close the curtains on their history spanning six decades. It was a flawless performance with Ozzy who can barely string a sentence together having no issues hitting all the words and notes while inspiring the crowd with momentary bursts of energy before shuffling back to center stage. Toni Iommi and Gezzer Buttler sounded sublime with the best guitar tones to grace the stage. The stand in drummer got a fair spotlight with a tame and lengthy set of drum solos leading into Iron Man and hearing "Into The Void" really made my evening. It was one to cross off the bucket list and I'm so very glad I waited out the rain at the front of the crowd to see them.