Brett Callwood
Rammstein
Herzeleid (Motor)
Normans Conquer Rammstein: Matthew Reid of SoCal noise-punks Normans told us about his love for a Rammstein gem.
(Motor)
Matthew Reid: It’s 8:30 in the morning. We’re in Prague. The large frightening man behind the bar stands with his arms crossed watching the only two drunk idiots in the tiny smoke filled watering hole. His gold earring, bald head, zero English, and jacked up teeth makes him look like some sort of evil pirate Mr. Clean. Fantastic. I had seen a man get hit by a train the day before which led to a long night of Czech beer drinking in this sordid establishment known only as, “Non-Stop”. The bar’s many bright strobing fruit machines cast neon obscurity through the cigarette smoke and it all blurs into one spurious euro nightmare. I am eighteen and I am immortal. I give the pirate another doubloon and he in turn slides me another pint. We called all the coins doubloons because we had no idea what the hell they were worth nor did we care. The transactions seemed amiable for both parties. Halfway through the flat lager I begin to notice the source of my indissoluble vigor.
“Lauft! Lauft! Lauft! Lauft!”
I look at the Pirate then make a stupid gesture to the speakers followed by the internationally recognized “Confused American” look. “Ruum-shhteen” he spat through his bedraggled pirate chompers. That was it, straight to the record store and into the Sony Discman where Herzelied would live for a VERY long time.
Very fast, very German and VERY tough. Tougher than you, tougher than me, tougher than that Czech pirate. Herzelied is the opening shot from a band that would go on to divide, confuse, and ultimately win over many fans of aggressive music with a style they called, “Neue Deutsche Härte” (New German Hard). Now, is this Rammstein’s best record? HELL NO. Even the band agrees it’s far from their best work as the group was beset with personal issues that made the whole process a nightmare. Apparently they didn’t even speak the same language as their producer Jacob Hellner. What IS important is what it brought to the table at the time, an uncompromising assault of originality. Sweat soaked dance beats that prompt memories of EBM acts such as DAF, Nitzer Ebb, and Front 242 alloyed with an earth shaking wall of guitars. The result is what we call in the NORMANS camp, “Moving Air”. And it’s important. To be completely physically overwhelmed by an army of frequencies live in person can be something of a religious experience. The body often understands before the mind does and when performed correctly you may find yourself cast adrift on a sonic ocean of bliss. Rammstein will get you there every time.
Trying to make an original sounding record is hard (believe me I know). Especially when you have half a dozen people who all have opinions and no references. But when the enzymes collaborate and the idea kinda starts to work…I don’t believe there is anything more exciting on this planet. That, for me, is what makes Herzeleid such an amazing record. You’re witnessing an idea being born. For as tough and confident as the record sounds, there is some insecurity buried in there. That can be a good thing. The result is an incredibly dense batch of jams that works from start to finish. Slathered in euro trash sex club glory it’s not the songs that make this record, it’s the sound, it’s the intent, it’s the raw energy of six East German men taking a chance.
This is a band that despite its struggles early on has never appeared to take itself too seriously. I think their last single, “Dicke Titten” translates to, “Big Tits” or something. This is and always will be a golden rule in the music world. The second you start taking everything too seriously, you’re through. Herzeleid will always bring me back to that shitty Czech bar, but more importantly I believe it reminds us all to go big, go hard, and that your ego ain’t your amigo.
Normans Conquer Rammstein: Normans’ “Murder Rich” single is out now. Their self-titled debut album is out January 24.
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