Rammstein need very little introduction. The industrial metal pioneers from Berlin have risen to upper echelon of metal music through a mix of writing tremendous music and stage shows that are pretty much unmatched. Here we’re going to look at ranking all Rammstein albums.
They have also courted much controversy, through their use of provocative lyrics, musical themes and music videos. But they have stuck to what they do best throughout their entire discography, and as such gathered the respect and adoration of a huge fanbase worldwide.
Rammstein have also had zero changes to their lineup in over 25 years of existence. This is remarkable when you consider even the most stable of bands have had lineup changes throughout their career.
7. Rammstein
It took 11 years for Rammstein to release their latest album in 2020. On hearing the first single released from this album Deuschland I thought (and still do) that this is one of Rammstein‘s very best songs. The second single release Radio felt like being back in the early days of Herzeleid, whilst the third single was the contemporary dance track Auslander. This gave me great hope for this album. The first 4 songs on this album are the singles, with the excellent Zeig Dich – also reminiscent of old Rammstein albums. But after that, through the remainder of the album it pains me very much to say, I got bored. There is plenty of vocalist Till Lindemann‘s smart and controversial lyrical work, but it musically all feels a little tame and flat. Such a shame after the bombastic start, but it has to go in last place.
6. Rosenrot
A peculiar album release. Rammstein did not promote this album, did not tour off the back of it, like it was treated as the bastard child of their work. It did however sell extremely well, such as is Rammstein‘s influence within the rock and metal community. There is a disjointed feel to the album, and it has the worst flow of all the Rammstein albums. But there are still plenty of quality songs on this album. Tuning down a whole step from the norm to drop C and slowing down the tempo adds an extra layer of heaviness to the album. This is probably their most love it or hate it album. So whilst not near their best, I still love it
5. Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da
Following the release of Rosenrot, Rammstein returned to their typical up tempo, hard riffing best with Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da. Kicking off with Rammleid, Ich Tu Dir Weh and Waidmanns Heil hark back to the best of early Rammstein Albums. Ever one to push boundaries, Pussy is their most outwardly outlandish record to date. Only Rammstein could pull this off. Lightening the mood (musically at least) with Fruhling in Paris and the closing track Roter Sand, this is an expertly put together album. Can we expect any less from Rammstein?
4. Herzeleid
It’s tough to rank this one outside of the top 3, but such is the nature of the quality of the forthcoming releases. As a debut album, a statement of intent it was. Straight from the first track you get the relentless, repetitive riffing that Rammstein are now defined by. The sight of the live performance of their self entitled track, with vocalist Till Lindemann on fire during the performance is still one of the premier stage stunts I have seen at a music concert. Heavy metal is as much about the theatre and image as it is the music (no matter what metal purists may tell you), and Rammstein do this unlike any other. Fierier than dynamite vindaloo wings from Crazy Billy’s Hell Shack, if you leave a Rammstein gig with both your eyebrows intact then you went to the wrong venue!
As a side note, I still giggle at the opening lyrics to Seemann. Being a juvenile idiot and English helps this immeasurably.
3. Sehnsucht
Rammstein grew up considerably by their second studio album Sehnsucht. The tempo slowed down slightly, the production quality improved and Engel and Du Hast have become staples of their catalogue. Vocalist Till Lindemann showcasing his poetry skills on Du Hast with it’s double meaning. Rammstein began to showcase their controversial side on this album with songs like Buck Dich (which resulted in Till and keyboard wizard Flake Lorenz arrest in 1998). Overall the reason this album sits so high on the list is the feast of catchy hooks throughout the album, and not a single bad song in sight.
2. Reise Reise
The top 2 here could quite easily be in either order, such is the quality of both. My first experience of seeing Rammstein live was on the Reise Reise tour in Nottingham, UK and still to this day is one of (if not the) greatest gig I have ever been to. The sight of Flake cooking in a cauldron whilst Till chases him with a butcher knife during the performance of Mein Teil is a sight to behold. If you don’t know the story of German cannibal Armin Meiwes, presented in this song then you have missed out on an all time disturbing story. This album feels like it has the massive hits that took Rammstein up to the top tier, especially here in the UK.
1. Mutter
Mutter was the album that took Rammstein to the big time outside of their native land. The entire first half of the album is single releases, and the second half doesn’t dip in quality. Any song on this album could be a single release. Opening track Mein Hertz Brent builds beautifully from a tense orchestral intro, to a typically massive set piece. Ich Will and Sonne got huge airtime on Kerrang! TV here in the UK, and every rock and metal fan knew who Rammstein were. This album is one of the reasons I got into heavy music. Feuer Frei was featured on the soundtrack to the abomination that was xXx, but made it one of Rammstein‘s most well known tracks. Rein Raus contains possibly the heaviest riff of all time. The legacy of this album lives on, and is undoubtedly Rammstein‘s, and one of metals, finest albums.
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