Album Review // 2022-05-07

Rammstein

Zeit

Released: 2022-04-29

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Rammstein's album Sehnsucht was one of the few CDs I had as a child (I had limited money and limited collection). I didn't give a crap what their lyrics were saying and I hadn't heard anything like it at the time. I all but forgot about them for years. So, I guess this is me dusting them off and picking them up to see what they are doing. And honestly, it seems they have kept themselves busy. I am very impressed that they have stayed together as a band, and I hope they will know when to quit.

I generally don't judge people by how they look, but I think everyone has someone that creeps them out for one reason or another. All I see when I see Till is a sweaty old guy who shouldn't be wearing suspenders, though I have to admit the look is terrible on any man, IMO. He is so gross! But thankfully, I can look past this because what the band looks like really doesn't matter.

This brings me to the shock factor they seem to be after... I never wanted to see some of the stuff I have seen in their videos... My eyes! And I know they have had much controversy, none of which I have really been following... When I had my channel, their name was mentioned a few times. I think people wanted me to get uncomfortable and into the controversy. 

Apparently, Rammstein means Ramming Stone. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a sexual connotation here, but I have seen talk of it actually being related to a 1988 plane crash in an area of Germany called Ramstein. In the end, I really don't know.

Zeit simply means Time. Seems boring in English, but more exciting In German. I am sure lots of people don't even know what the title means.

This album is pretty tame in content. For some, this may be the first time you have looked at their lyrics. This is my take on hearing their album.

Album Art

I don't think this art gives you any idea of what type of music Rammstein is. The words in gold on red make it seem like it might be power metal or something. This picture showing the band members coming down a staircase at a clearly notable building. I certainly haven't seen many that look like this but I can't say I would know what building it is.

Mood

The mood is eccentric and kind of creepy, at times it feels like a satirical but traumatic production. Almost like a circus depicting some of life's struggles in a comedic form.

Vocals

This talking/singing vocal is characteristic of Till, but I personally can have too much of it. He is a talented singer and goes high at times, and quite low at others. It does sound quite passionate, and I think the contrast is good. Some of it was kinda cringy to me, like the autotune effect on his voice at times. I never have a need for this. Some vocal parts make me a little uncomfortable because it feels almost like he is trying to be sensual with his deep, drawn out vocal. I want to run away from that! I think hearing something in a language you can't understand does play on how you interpret the intent though. I usually don't like the choir-esque or chanting additions to music, and their use on this album is no exception.

Music

What stands out about the music to me is the catchiness of the instruments all working together. Some of the leading keyboard sounds quite emotional. Some of the synth is too much for me and takes it into territory that is just not for me. The drum sounds very clangy and hard-hitting. The songs with the faster pace seem a little cheesy to me. It just feels weirdly upbeat. 

Armee Der Tristen (Army Of Tristan)

I don't know what this Army of Tristan is supposed to be, but it makes me think of the French word triste, which means cry. Clearly this is about finding a like mind that is dealing with sadness. Does it make it easier to deal with hard things if someone else is there with you and is struggling themselves, or does this encourage you to stay in a sad place?

Are you sad like me?
Tears are running down your face?
Come join us and get in line
We want to be sad together

(Come with me)
(Come with me)

Zeit (Time)

I think we have all had a moment in time we never wanted to forget or move forward from. But we can't stop time, or change time.

The moment is so perfect
But time keeps ticking
Moment, please stay
I'm not ready yet

Time
Please stand still, stand still
Time
This should keep going forever
Time

Schwarz (Noir)

This feels like a way to describe depression. When you are depressed, the draw to crawling into a dark space and hibernate is there. It is hard to resist; it snowballs from there. Pretty soon there is no motivation for anything.

'Cause whenever I'm lonely
I'm drawn to the dark
The sun death is my pleasure (My pleasure)
Whenever it gets dark
And the soul gets lost in lust
The cold night is my pleasure
I drink the black in big gulps (Drink)

Giftig (Poisonous)

Seems to be a draw to someone that is actually harmful and out to injure you. Somehow, you still want to be around them.

You are toxic
Oh so toxic
Stung while I was sleeping
And the sting sticks so deep
You are toxic
Oh so toxic
Bitten while I was sleeping
And the sharp teeth deep

And the poison slowly flows into my blood
Oh, I already see white light
And somehow I like it, yes
There is no antidote

Zick Zack (Zig Zag)

This is about the quest to look better. The desire to even get surgery to change your appearance, to make yourself look more the way you think other people want you to look. I personally think it is very sad. But I was told as a kid, "It hurts to be beautiful." What a screwed up message... Our society holds up beauty to unbelievable levels.

Whoever wants to be beautiful, needs to suffer
Vanity is never modest
Needle, thread, scissors, light
It doesn't work without-

More beautiful, bigger, harder
Tighter, smoother, stronger

OK

Not sure, but makes me think of going with the moment and feeling some sense of loss of control when around someone. 

Without condom
Without condom
Without condom
Without condom

I would like to be in your skin
What loves each other may lick each other
You're not stuck in it, it's hard to lift
I'll buckle down
A lot of sense without sanity
You have me in your hand

Meine Tränen (My Tears)

It sounds like someone who can't move past. They seem to have been abused by their mother but are still living with her. May be about being stuck in your negative past.

I still live with Mom
And will probably stay there forever
In the house, a man has been lacking for a long time
I'm helping out as best I can
Mother doesn't give me much love
But she still slaps my face
And now and then I've cried
Then she only said with a smile

Angst (Fear)

I think I have missed something here with the translation. I don't think this is a political thing about the way people of colour are feared unnecessarily and treated as less than. I think the black man must mean like a reaper, Satan, a demon, or some kind of evil figure. There is some kind of fear associated with this figure.

And the fear grows into the night
Door and gates are guarded
The back's wet, the hands clammy
Everyone is afraid of the Black Man

(You)

In the dark, he sneaks up
If you're not good, he'll touch you
Trust no stranger then
So much nightmare, so much craze

Dicke Titten (BIg Boobs)

You focus on having a specific quality, and never find it in a partner. I guess the equivalent would be a song about a big dick. It feels kind of tongue in cheek, or on the other hand, maybe there is just a desire for a purely sexual relationship where physical attributes matter the most for this person.

I've lived alone for many years
Life is dull, everyday life is grey
I lose patience, sanity and hair
I would like to have a wife
And the hope wants to wane
Finding a partner
Who is coequal to me
No, there's no luck in sight

She doesn't have to be beautiful
She doesn't have to be smart, no
She doesn't have to be rich
Not a model with long strides
But big tits

Lügen (Lying)

On one hand, this person is a self-proclaimed saint, on the other hand, they are a deceiver.

I never curse, I'm very loyal
Sleep, haha, sometimes in the hay
Always breakfast to the bed
Cooking always without fat
A lot of poetry and also thinking
Giving away heart and soul
To someone who's worth it
And when I'm gone, I'm missed by
Coffee and cake too on Sundays
And visiting the grandmother

Lies
All lies
I lie
And cheat
I even lie to myself
Nobody believes me
Nobody trusts me
Not even me

Adieu (Goodbye)

This song felt more sincere, like a thought-out goodbye. Sounds temporary, but real for the moment.

Only death lasts forever
It whispers under the pine branch
Must draw everything into its darkness
Even the sun will burn out

But don't worry, we are with you
One last time, so we sing

Adieu, goodbye, see you again!
You have to go the last way alone
One last song, one last kiss
No miracle will happen
Adieu, goodbye, see you again!
I had a nice time with you

Playlist Pick

Overall, not my thing. I think I would have liked this album when I was first getting into heavier music. I can pick out parts I like here and there, but I was sick of it by the time I was done listening. The more I heard it, the less I liked it.

Zeit will make it to my playlist because I like the keyboard line that this song opened with, and you can hear occasionally throughout. The chorus is memorable. I guess they picked the right track to name this album off of. This song also doesn't get upbeat, which I like.