There are certain thingsmight expect to find on an album from Rammstein, the German answer to Nine Inch Nails and a band renowned for their explosive (literally) live show. The line ‘featuring Sharleen Spiteri’ is not one of them. Yet here she is, popping up half way through to add the record’s only English language vocals on the murder ballad ‘Strib Nicht Vor Mir (Don’t Die Before I Do)’. That she comes to the project on Rammstein’s terms is clear. That’s how everything is done on Rosenrot.
From its sumptuous packaging onwards, there’s obviously been a bucketful of record company money spent here, perhaps in the hope that this will be the one to break the band on a worldwide level. It might well do that, but it won’t be down to any compromise on the band’s part. You want to know what they’re singing about? Then learn German. If, however, you want towering, dramatic and at times brutal rock music, look no further.
As it happens, their native language suits the music perfectly, giving it an extra dimension to ears conditioned to the standard mid-Atlantic vocal accent – and the ferocity with which they spit out their lyrics leaves you in no doubt that someone, or something, is getting a good going over. Aside from the Spiteri contribution there are more surprises to be had, not least ‘Te Quiero Puta!’, the Spanish lyric bringing Sepultura to mind, at least until the female hip-hop vocals kick in.
In short, Rosenrot is brilliant – but will it make them stars? Hell, why not? If System Of A Down can do it – and Rosenrot puts Rammstein right up to their level easily – there could indeed be a whole new world out there for this bunch of German weirdoes.