Review Summary: A masterpiece of industrial metal and Rammstein's undisputed best album, which has not been rivalled since
After the mixed reception of their previous albums Herzeleid and Sehnsucht, ‘Mutter’ defined Rammstein and was their masterpiece which has not been rivalled since.
Album opener ‘Mein Herz Brennt’(My Heart Burns) is a terrific opener whichfeatures the slow buildup of the quiet orchestra and the placid vocals to Till Lindemann barking the song title in an epic rapturous chorus with a violin melody. A worthy song to kick start a classic album. The next song ‘Links 2-3-4’(Left 2-3-4) is written in response to the allegations of the band supporting fascism. The song features Rammstein stating their political allegiances with Lindemann growling ‘my heart beats to the left, 2-3-4’ along with Lindemann speaking in a hushed whisper in both the bridge and verses. The song features a military drumming beat and features gunfire amongst other war sounds and references.
The next track ‘Sonne’(Sun) the first single of the album, is probably the best song on the album. The song features a catchy guitar riff throughout the song and the chorus is a thing of beauty with soft melodic guitar work from guitarists Richard Krupse and Paul Landers . The chorus features eerie Snow White samples that add a both ominous and entrancing atmosphere to the song. ‘Ich Will’(I Want) is another standout track on the album and is a superb live track. The song has a call and answer theme to it which features Lindemann asking the audience ‘Do you hear me’ and the audience chanting back ‘We hear you!” and also features an infectious keyboard riff throughout the song by Christian ‘Flake’ Lorenz .Feuer Frei!(Fire at Will)is a frenzy thrash metal at its finest which, although does no convey much meaning, features rallying cries of ‘bang bang!’ and is a highly pleasurable track to listen to.
'Mutter'(Mother), the second single off the album is a tragic ballad about a baby born without his mother, referencing Lindemann and Krupse’s life experiences. The chorus features a rough shouting of ‘Mother’ which makes the listener at ease with Lindemann's haunting vocals and bleak atmosphere. 'Speilhur'(Music Box) is also a unnerving track, with the chorus that features a child’s darkly distorted voice being the eeriest moment of the album. The track is about how a still born baby that has come back to life but is trapped underground with only a music box as company.
'Zwitter'(Hermaphrodite) is a return to the heavier tracks and features some great lines and frantic fretting of guitar riffs. The song incidentally is about a hermaphrodite taking pleasure in masturbating, Rammstein's most prolific subject. The next song 'Rein Raus'(In, Out) is another highly sexual song with a heavy techno intro by Flake and heavy guitar riffs and Lindemann’s growling vocals make it an intriguing listen. Unfortunately the song does not have the ability to be a stand out due to the vast amount of other great songs on the album.
Adios(Goodbye) is another great song which unfortunately wasn’t chosen to be one of the singles due to the competition. There is decent drum work from Christoph ‘Doom’ Schneider and has a basic driving guitar riff with tremolo picking. The bridge features a distorted solo that is almost like a techno riff but fits perfectly with the song. However, the album closer, Nebel(Mist) is a weak ending to an otherwise great album. The song is a love ballad but has very little substance and only picks up steam during the last 45 seconds.
