Rammstein - Live Aus Berlin

This 79-minute disc documents Rammstein's live shows from mid-1998. The band's performances include powerful theatrics and pyrotechnics (lead singer Till Lindemann even sets himself on fire), but even without the aid of visuals, this CD is a faithful representation of their explosive energy. Songs "Rammstein" and "Sehnsucht" receive appropriately raw and straightforward readings, while "Bueck Dich" comes gloriously alive with audience interaction and additional electronic rhythms. Also benefiting from the fiery live setting are "Du Hast" and the beautifully mournful "Engel," where the audience enthusiastically joins in on choruses. Aggressive drama is the most obvious feature of this recording, but quieter moments such as "Wilder Wein" provide effective dynamics and pacing. Flake's creative keyboard work, one of Rammstein's most distinguishing features, is generally more prominent in these live versions. The guitar licks of Richard Kruspe and Paul Landers are thick and tight, while drummer Christoph Schneider thrashes away with loose precision. --Mark McCleerey Amazon.com

Its a good CD

This is a good CD, but...its hard to say...its almost like it needs more guitar power. Rammstein puts on one hell of a show. They always sound great live, especially Till's amazing vocals. But anyways i'll get straight to the best songs: Spiel Mit Mir (sounds cooler when played live) Weißes Fliech (such an amazing song) Bueck Dich (so good when played live) Engel, Du Hast, Rammstein, Seemann, Heirate Mich, and Wilder Wein. Recommended to anybody who enjoyed Sehnsucht! September 7, 2008

A strong release. Excellent playing all around.

Rammstein is the ultimate band to see live with their theatrical, pyromaniacal shows and bizarre antics. Naturally, every Rammstein fan should own the DVD "Live Aus Berlin", but what about the CD version? Do we really need an audio only version, or is it merely redundant?

There aren't any new songs, but this live set could function as a sort of "greatest hits" compilation. The recording quality is excellent - strong presence of sound, great mix, an acceptable amount of crowd noise, but never a distracting amount.

Till's vocals are not as strong as on the studio albums, although part of this could be related to him singing songs engulfed in flames! I think that's the only real weakness. On their studio albums, his voice has this wonderful, menacing quality that kind of disappears on the live recording. It sounds less like he's singing and more like he's barking out lyrics. It's not a huge deal, but it's something to keep in mind.

At 79 minutes, there's plenty of material and Rammstein is able to survey most of their best tracks. I'm disappointed they didn't include "Stripped", as I think they do a great job with it. I believe the DVD has a few additional songs, but this isn't a big deal. I suppose it all boils down to whether you are satisfied to listen through your home theater gear, or if you need to play it elsewhere.

One final issue - we now have two Rammstein live releases: this and Volkerball. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Volkerball is more expensive, but it also gives you a DVD (and a second live CD depending on which version you buy). I think they're pretty comparable. If you're cool buying both, you should do so. If you only want one live Rammstein recording though, I'm a little bit partial to Volkerball, if only because it has songs from all their albums, hence greater variety.

Either way, this is a very strong live album. Overall, I recommend it highly to all Rammstein fans. For those new to Rammstein, I might recommend starting with one of the studio albums such as "Sehnsucht". January 18, 2008

great live album

Awesome live effort from an awesome band!!!

Hail RammStein January 26, 2007

SO GUT!!

This is AWSOME! They sound so much better live! More heavey and LOUND! You can hear the croud going wild, chanting and singing along! TRUST ME, when you listen to Ashe Zu Ashe, you cant stop head banging! BUY IT NOW!

I also have the DVD even more wild....but when i first played it I was shocked at what they looked like...they are awsome, industrial, German goth rock stars *AWSOME*. August 20, 2006

Superb Live Disc Chronicles Rammstein's Intense Live Shows...

Rammstein remain one of the most bizarre and highly entertaining live acts to ever grace the stages. Lead singer Till Lindemann sets himself on fire at almost every show, and the stage props, antics, and set-up are unbelievable. Rammstein were just as passionate on stage as they are on record, and LIVE AUS BERLIN (come on, you know what that means) captures the band's relentless and superb live show, and over 79 minutes, you too will be enthralled by their music and the audience who chants and sings along.

Live versions of "Du Hast" and "Seamann" are given even more power than possessed on their album version counterparts. You can feel the rush when the band members (you all know them by now, but if you must: guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe, bassist Oliver Riedel, drummer Christopher Schneider, keyboardist Doktor "Christian" Lorenz (or "Flake") and vocalist Lindemann) are in full swing, and they get the crowd going with such spirit on songs like "Engel" where you actually feel like you're among the attendees. Every song on here is given new life in the live setting, and songs like "Wilder Wein" and "Seamann" do have their hushed parts but remain stomping metal anthems for a new generation. The superb versions of "Wollt Ihr Das Bett In Flammen Sehen" and "Spiel Mit Mir" are pure evidence that in a live setting, Rammstein truly mean business. Every guitar line; every drum fill; every keyboard flourish; ever 'r' rolled off Lindemann's tongue; every bass line...they are all here on grand display for your listening pleasure.

So while I'd highly recommend catching them live, LIVE AUS BERLIN is the perfect way to introduce you to their live sound if you haven't already had the chance. While the visuals of the show are not on display here (you need to see them at least once in your lifetime to understand), the music presented here is powerful and as a live act, they are one of the most powerful. Without a doubt, one of the best live albums in metal...period. January 19, 2006

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