This is the second album from the German Industrial Metal band Rammstein. The band, famous for their spectacular live shows and controversial lyrics, was founded in 1994 and consists of: Till Lindemann, Richard Z. Kruspe-Bernstein, Paul Landers, Oliver Riedel, Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz.
Of the band's three albums this is the one with the most synthesised sound and a lot of electronica/techno effects are added, think Kraftwerk with fast guitars and Till Lindemann's deep voice booming over the top of it all. Surprisingly, it is carried off to at times anthemic effect, the foot-stomping beat and fast guitar riffs blending to create some outstanding songs.
Here is my review of Sehnsucht, released on Motor in 1997
1) Sehnsucht
The title track to the album. If you've only heard the album Mutter, then the opening will probably scare you but it picks up to give a frenetic opening track with some good chorus vocals. (4/5)
2) Engel
Not my favourite track on the album, it is slow comparitively and has a very similar riff to the opening track, still, more good vocals and the bassline rescue the track. (3/5)
3) Tier
Fantastic track, acoustic intro followed by lightning quick distorted guitars, never mind the subject matter (incest) it is a really good song and nearly the best on the album. (5/5)
4) Bestrafe Mich
Rammstein plumb the depths of gothic here, a track met with mixed reactions, some love it, many don't. Too repetitive for me and it doesn't suit Rammstein at all. (2/5)
5) Du Hast
Much better, this was a massive hit all over Europe and would have been in Britain as well but for an MTV ban. Again fast and repetitive but such a good song that they can get away with it.The chorus sounds like their idea of a wedding gone wrong, Till emphatically saying no! (5/5)
6) Bück Dich
More disturbing lyrics and more speedy guitars, yet it still sounds great, shortest track on the album at 3:22 and great. Heaviest track of the album. (4.5/5)
7)Spiel mit mir
Completely different rythym to anything I have heard before, stammering, stopping and starting but yet again they can get away with it. Yet more sick lyrics sung like a tenor by Herr Lindemann but it is my favourite song on the album. Special praise goes to the excelent keyboarding. (5/5)
8) Klavier
Softer song than the rest, Till actually singing and with the next song is as close to a ballad as this album gets, lovely song. (4/5)
9) Der Alte Mann
Another strange rythym carried out to good effect, as the title suggests, about an old man sad to grow old. Odd song, yet I like it to a certain extent (3.5/5)
10) Eifersucht
More gothic and aggressive by Rammstein and is about jealousy, more good keyboarding. (4/5)
11) Kuss Mich (Fellfrosch)
Last song on the album and not my favourite, yet more controversial lyrics. (3/5)
Overall this is a great album if you like the genre but I feel that Rammstein slightly overdo the lyrics to make it a must have for all. (4/5)
