Who are Rammstein? East German roots and early controversy.

This report was made in 2021/22 before allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled against Till Lindeman. Numerous women have described a system of grooming of young female fans for sex with the singer.

In the meantime German prosecutors have closed a sexual assault investigation into Till Lindemann citing a lack of evidence.

This video does not address these accusations. It deals mainly with accusations of bad taste, extreme-right wing ideology and flirting with fascist iconography.

@RammsteinOfficial is Germany's biggest rock export, tough, loud and provocative. We take a closer look at the legendary band that formed in 1994 around @TillLindemann_official and gets to grips with its shock rock aesthetics and lyrics. On this episode of Arts Unveiled we find out the secret to the stellar international success of German shock rockers Rammstein.

#dwhistoryandculture #tilllindemann #rammstein

Special thanks to Progress Film Verleih and Whisper & Shout director Dieter Schumann for permission to use excerpts from the 1988 DEFA documentary Fluestern & Schreien – Ein Rockreport’

00:00 Intro
01:46 Why is Rammstein so controversial?
03:02 Is Rammstein right wing?
04:20 The roots of Rammstein
07:08 Location No.1 The Blacksmith
07:48 Location No.2 Schwerin
08:56 The Tale of Till Lindemann
11:38 Location No.3 The Band's headquater
13:52 Location No.4 The Pike Club
16:08 The History of the name
16:58 Fascist aesthetics
19:08 The "Deutschland" music video
19:56 Conclusion

00.00 - 00.05 Rammstein: Paris – Du Hast (Official Video) UMPG/Kobalt

01.49 - 01.55 File 1988

02.18 - 02.25 Rammstein - Live in Nimes / Völkerball UMPG/Kobalt

02.25 - 02.30 Rammstein: Paris – Du Hast (Official Video) UMPG/Kobalt

02.30 - 02.46 Rammstein - Stripped (Official Video) Solar/Sony

02.47 – 02.59 Stills from Rammstein Deutschland Video UMG/UMPG

04.01 - 04.05 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

04.46 - 05.00 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

05.11 - 05.21 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

05.43 - 05.54 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

06.06 - 06.23 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

07.24 - 07.30 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

09.21 - 09.31 Cover & Illustration from Mike Oldfield im Schaukelstuhl

by Werner Lindemann (KiWi Verlag)

11.18 – 11.27 Courtesy Private Collection Dieter Schumann

11.41- 11.48 Flüstern und Schreien (1988) DEFA

13.18 -13.48 File 1989

14.46 - 14.50 Petra Gall Archive

16.20 - 16.33 File 1988

17.37 - 17.40 Rammstein: Paris – Du Hast (Official Video) UMPG/Kobalt

17.40 - 17.51 File

18.09 - 18.19 Archive Making of Olympia

18.19 - 18.30 Olympia (1938) Leni Riefenstahl

18.48 - 19.02 Trailer German Paralympic Team 2021

19.12 - 19.52 Stills from Rammstein Deutschland Video UMG/UMPG



Report

Adrian Kennedy

Melanie Matthäus

Camera

Manuel Vering

Heiner Bobke

Florian Mettke

Schnitt

Friederike Rohrmann

Cem Mete

Klaus Hellmig

Carolin Haberland

Producers

Oliver Glasenapp

Matthias Frickel

Meike Krüger

Executive Producers

Susanne Lenz-Gleissner

Rolf Rische

Thumbnail: Jens Koch/dpa/picture alliance

[DWHistoryandCulture]

This report was made in 2021/22 before shocking and serious multiple allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled against Till Lindeman. Numerous women have described a system of grooming of young female fans for sex with the singer. This video does not address these accusations. It deals mainly with accusations of bad taste, extreme-right wing ideology and flirting with fascist iconography.

[cemsengul]

I love that Rammstein still has all the same members. They are timeless.

[kyoshinronin]

The band was never right-wing, but just attracted stereotypes (angry, militaristic perceptions) about Germany through their music and activities. Any band could have done the same without getting labeled as right-wing. Only Rammstein attracted controversy owing to their nationality. Sometimes, I think they just like to troll and let the ignorants market their music through this controversy. Only people who listen to them diligently know what their music is about, and how poetic and deep the lyrics can be.

[laughingvampire]

When the band came to Mexico in the 1990s opening to KISS everyone forgot about KISS and they couldn't stop talking about Rammstein, the quality is so superior.

[heatherkastenmeier]

My German husband took our 15 year old daughter to Rammstein last September. They blew her mind. We love their music, and they are really great guys.

[daviscampbell]

I learned German because of Rammstein. Forgot most of it but still understand a fair amount. Gotta love the art of shock rock. From Kiss to Rammstein & others. It's art.

[KarlRock]

It was really cool that you went to these places and documented this. Thanks for doing it in English too.

[daviddermer]

One of the best decisions I have ever made in my life was to see Rammstein live in Berlin. 4 shows across Germany taking it all in. So many Germans kept asking “Why are you here?” I simply replied “there is no where better to see Rammstein.”

I’ll come back this summer for the shows in Berlin! The band and the music mean so much to me. There is a song for every emotion.

[DirtScraps]

My dad went on a work trip to Germany when I was a young teen and brought back the album Mutter. He told my younger brother and I we HAD to hear this band. It changed our lives. I took German in high school because I loved the band so much. This past year, my brother and I were able to see one of their live shows during the North America Stadium Tour, another life changing moment. They are my all time favorite band and I can’t wait to see what they continue to bring to humankind in the future. ❤️❤️❤️

[danielausbanders]

As a Berlin citizen it is always something special to visit a concert of an Berlin based band. But going to a Rammstein concert is unique. Olympiastadion Berlin, more than 60.000 fans sing songs like "Deutschland" or "Du hast" as loud as they. It is great but a bit scary too. It gives an idea of how fanatism works. You feel as one powerful and unstopable organism.

I will be there again. July 2023!

[nikkismodernlife]

showing the evil in our society doesn't always mean encouraging it. i think rammstein does a great job showing it, and creating a discussion. i never believed that they were right-wing, and i was sure after reading an interview on a turkish magazine. their music was one of the things that influenced me to move to berlin and i can't wait to see them live in july.

[noEvilMinion]

Deutschland by Rammstein is true masterpiece, both video and the music are work of genius minds. Its probably the peak of Rammstein creativity for me personaly.

[manuele.itriagom.]

Controversial because they’re not afraid to express their art without worrying about what others might say.

They’re so amazing and unique

[Cadinho]

It was 1997 when "Du Hast" was released, I was 4 years old and it blew my mind as a kid when I saw the video on MTV. I'll never forget that day and I will always remember when my Mom kept re-recording the video on VHS, so she can show my Dad once he came home from work. It blew his mind as well because we became huge fans ever since that day and Rammstein never disappointed us since. Now, fast forward 25 years later and I finally went to my first Rammstein concert here in NJ at MetLife Stadium. As in my Dad's honor, especially since it has been 10 years since he has have been gone, I made sure to not miss this show at all. I took my 64 year old rockstar Mom along with me because she's a metalhead herself and we couldn't miss this opportunity. Plus, Mom and I just couldn't stop headbanging to every song Rammstein played and we were in section 226, which was an excellent experience and I uploaded some videos myself on YouTube.

By the way, to all of you on here, Rammstein is one of my all time favorite bands and definitely the greatest band you will ever since live, which is why I recommend you all to one day go to their concert.

🎸🤘

[tobiasdenhollander]

For years as a kid I always thought they had just one song "du hast", and some years ago I started with listening their other songs. It was like a world was opening for me. Since then I have been to their concert in 2022 with my father, and because I asked him, another world has opened. Their not simple like many people think, you just have to open your eyes to Rammstein and you will receive pure beauty and art. My father and I are going again in july 2023, just to experience it again.

[MasterpieceLost]

Part of my family was one wiped out during the Holocaust. I personally love that Rammstein are not afraid to use evocative imagery to call out the worst parts of history. I got misty eyed the first time I saw Deutschland. Look at the patches they wear in camp scene- there is a lot of significance there, representing the people who died for being different race, politics, or sexual orientation. This is absolutely what Rammstein has always been about, bold expression to make you think.

[grumpycat]

As a German, I especially felt their Song "Deutschland". Proud of not being proud. Thats our culture.

[Squee__]

When it comes to metal if something seems controversial and offensive it's intentionally designed that way to get the listener to think. The genre tends to challenge things in a shocking manner throwing things in your face making it very difficult to ignore it. I've really always enjoyed these guys. I'm glad and grateful that they've been around.

[TintarellaDiLuna]

When my mother past, I went to my pub and the bartender played Rammstein for me the whole evening. Some customers complained, but the bartender said: tonight we play only Rammstein, capiche? I will never forget. Rammstein ist mein Hertz ❤️❤️❤️

[olgapo]

The best band ever. Since 14 y.o. I've been listening their music. They saved my life few times (when I wanted suicide) and teached me how to be strong despite all. Love them.