Live Aus Berlin (1999)

Berlin's industrial metal sextet Rammstein was already provocative when the band nabbed unwanted U.S. press attention as favorites of the two young sociopaths behind 1999's tragic high school shootings in Columbine, Colorado. This concert video, expertly produced during a huge outdoor concert the previous summer, won't dissipate the tension between Rammstein's fans and social critics looking to find the links between such violence and the band's intense, sweeping music, especially on this uncensored edit of their nearly 100-minute set.

Sonically, the band lashes the clangorous legacy of industrial countrymen like Einsturzende Neubaten to the simpler, head-banging power chords of metallurgists like the Scorpions, Rammstein's front line of rasping, squealing guitars laced with synthesizer and pummeled by splashy drum work. The music's focal point is vocalist Till Lindemann, who half-sings, half-bellows in a guttural bass that makes most metal men sound like countertenors, an effect underscored by Lindemann's beefy, muscular physique as he stalks the stage. His macho growl and restless movement contrast with the largely motionless postures of his bandmates, which include a vampiric guitarist, a rail-thin keyboardist, and an even more spectral, bald bassist whose black-taped skull nods to S&M couture.

A massive stage set that's one part Borg, one part Blade Runner, onstage pyrotechnics, and piercing klieg lights that sweep the vast crowd pointedly synthesize Third Reich with apocalypse as rapturous fans sing along with "Du Hast" ("You Hate") or "Heirate Mich" ("Worship Me"). When the mesmerizing sturm und drang finally pauses, it's due to a graphic, simulated homosexual rape (on "Bueck Dich") that earns this tape its advisory, and will repulse all but the most ardent fans. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

chris from missouri

I've been a fan of Rammstein since the mid 1990s but only recently got to see how great they are in concert and this DVD does them great justice. I watched it again last night before I even received the email from amazon.com to write a review on it. I would recommend this DVD to any metal fan and definitely to any Rammstein fan. You just can't tear yourself away from it once you start it up. You won't be disappointed if you purchase this DVD. ~Chris from Missouri September 24, 2008

Wish I was there

I think it's their best concert caught on film! But the film quality isn't the best, the camera angles jump around quite a bit and the clarity isn't very high in some of the clips. The content is great, the stage production is top notch, the antics on stage are diverse and entertaining. Fans of Rammstein will love it and if your not a fan before you see it, you'll probably be one after. September 21, 2008

Rammstein rocking hard

This is the first live release of Rammstein, and it's a pretty epic outing. The only reason I did not give this item 5 stars is because the DVD is "censored" by removing one song, Bück Dich, because of controversial elements in the performance. If it bothers you that much and you have a VHS player, get it. May 30, 2008

I think these guys are from another PLANET!

In all my days as a musician, I had never imagined a live show like I saw when I booted up Live Aus Berlin. Remember Kiss? They had an idea and then learned to play. Members of RAMMSTEIN could PLAY first and then got together to become the definitive HARD ROCK GODS of the 20th century! This is the best live show I've ever witnessed. I only wish I could have been there in 1998! Myself and the members of the band I play in, intend to be in Germany for the next RAMMSTEIN show!!! August 24, 2007

A band of will, strength, honesty, and power

So basically totally opposite of 99% of the bands out there today. If you dont like Rammstein your scared of reality.
There is no harder working band in music today, they push through the weight of the crowd unlike any other band in recent memory.
Of course when you have that kind of strength to transform your audience you are lifting up rocks underneath which the sun hasnt shined for a very long time. This explains a lot of the strong themes of their music, they see things in the audience they dont even see in themselves.
The theatrics of the band add a lot to the show, some of it is the band just having a bit of fun but a lot of it contains symbolism and meaning.
Also despite their reputation for being insane, profane, and antisocial a lot of their music is in fact very touching and emotional.
October 24, 2006

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