Crossbreed/Godhead/Rammstein

July 27, Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Indiana

The band played about 75% of the songs from the new album, and judging the crowd's reaction, I'd say they should have sold themselves a few CDs that night. The stage set-up was not as elaborate as I'd heard about in past shows, but less money means less gear. All the same, the large lights that flashed behind the band, the thingy floating in green liquid, and the fire tricks were well worth seeing as Rammstein put on a great show.

The guitarists were all similarily sporting short red streaked hair, except for the bald bassist. Flaming mics, sparking drumsticks, loud explosions of sparks from the lights, and flaming guitars were just some of the smaller pyrogoodies. During the song that has fire in the title...sorry can't remember the name...Tiel sang into and appeared to almost breathe fire using a nifty microphone. As his voice exploded, so did the flames. The trick of the night was his appearance in a large coat which then caught fire, as it happens during the song Rammstein.

The coat burned. It was put out. But Tiel's leg was on fire. It didn't seem to want to go out. people from backstage came up and tried beating him with towels. He caught fire even further. The stage lights went on. People came running out from backstage with fire extinguishers and started to spray Tiel...only the fire totally engulfed him. The band kept playing...but was watching. People crowded around Tiel, who was now on the ground. Then he stood up, looking ok. held his hands up...and pulled off a large mask. The crowd cheered.Rammstein had effectively staged a fire "accident" for us.

The playlist also included favorites such as Du Hast and Sehnsucht, but no Engel and hardly anything from Herzeleid. They did however, perform their cover of Stripped...which gives a whole new meaning to the song. How would you feel if a large German man was growling that he wanted to see you stripped down to the bone? Keeping with the song, and probably cooling off from the heat, the band members lost their shirts to the delight of some female audience members. I thought a flock of panties flew in on the stage not long after.

The last song of the encore wasa Ramones cover performed by both Rammstein and Godhead. the show was well worth seeing now that I look back on it. Rammstein are very good showmen, very good pyrotechnicians, and good musicians as well. many people lump them into the industrial category, which is only partially true. The band themselves say their music is Danse Metal, a more apt description of the guitar/testosterone laden music they put forth.

I definitely recommend picking up the new album Mutter. I actually enjoy listening through the entire disc more than Sehnsucht. I was glad to see them on this tour. Rumor has it that they will be coming around again later...if that is the case then do go see them perfom. You won't be disappointed.

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