May 16, 2011 at 11:21am
LOTS OF FIRE, LOTS OF HEADBANGERS >>>
Before Sunday night, the last time I'd checked out Rammstein was about a decade ago when the German goth-metal band dropped in on the Tacoma Dome with the Family Values tour. Lasting image: The sight of former Olympic swimmer turned creepy frontman Till Lindemann igniting and performing an entire song in a flaming duster. Sweet!
Since then, I've gotten to know the relentlessly morbid, arty and sometimes hilarious Marilyn Manson meets "Sprockets" thing the guys in Rammstein have going on with their live show. So I was expecting something extremely ridiculous from the band's return to the T-Dome Sunday night, an event I attended with some 10,000 enthusiastic headbangers.
Rammstein did not disappoint. Here are just a few highlights from the most wickedly-fun arena show of 2011 so far:
Hottest show of the year (literally): The band's motto is, "Do your own thing, and overdo it." And that "thing" begins and ends with fire. I was probably 30 yards from the stage for most of the show, and it still felt like being blasted in the face with a blow dryer as huge, flaming geysers erupted from the stage throughout. It must have felt like being slow roasted to the fans up front and the security guys in the pit.
But let's be clear. We're not talking some stock Motley Crue bullshit. We're talking best use of fire - ever.
For "Feuer Frei," band members donned blowtorch masks for a dramatic, recurring fire-breathing gimmick that some fans will remember from that Vin Diesel flick, xXx. Lindemann showed up in a pair of shiny, robo-demon wings that shot fire from their tips during closing number "Engel." And somewhere in between roadies wheeled out a fridge sized tank and the singer blowtorched some guy in a hoodie.
Speaking of which...
That Lindemann guy is freaky scary: In character, he seems like the kind of sicko who might really charbroil people for fun. And how to best describe the hulking frontman's ensemble at the start of the show? Zombie power lifter? Supernatural serial killer?
Seriously, between the spooky, glowing grill, the leather smock and the dried costume blood all over his arms, I was ready for him to jump offstage and eat someone during opener "Rammlied." The twitchy Frankenstein mannerisms and the brief goose stepping he did during "Links 2 3 4" didn't make him any cuddlier.
Did that one guy get lost on the way to his Devo tryout?: Skinny, nerdy keyboard player Christian "Flake" Lorenz serves as band whipping boy and comic relief. And at some point Lindemann picked him up and tossed him into a bin that exploded confetti before Flake returned wearing glittery jammies. Then, for no apparent reason, he spent the next 20 minutes or so walking on a treadmill as he played keys.
See? Who said morbid goth guys have a sense of humor?
Case in point: Straddling a cement mixer sized pink cannon and dousing fans with foam as the main set comes to a climax? Very subtle, Lindemann.
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Comments for "REVIEW: Rammstein at the Tacoma Dome" (29)
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Brian said on May. 16, 2011 at 12:54pm
I was at the Tacoma Dome concert this Sunday and it was Friggin amazing. They sounded so good and the pyrotechnics were out of this world. They played a variety of songs and they all rocked the house. Best concert I had been to EVER!!!
Ivan said on May. 16, 2011 at 1:35pm
I agree. I had more fun at that show than any I've seen in years. My fav was Ich Will.
Emily McGuire said on May. 16, 2011 at 1:54pm
This was the most amazing show I have ever seen thus far. My husband and I were centered directly across from the stage on the ADA platform above the ground floor ("Where Caesar would sit," as my husband says), and although the band was distant enough to where their faces were not easily distinguishable, the show was amazing from our perspective. Lindemann was so creepy, I loved it! When he wasn't doing his go-to head-banging dance move (either pounding his leg or his crotch) he was acting like a maestro conducting his orchestra! lol .....I was thoroughly amused by the big penis cannon that he hopped on that shot out white stuff all over the crowd.
One thing I was concerned about was that his voice would be drowned out by the instruments, like a lot of metal bands struggle with when performing live. But I was THOROUGHLY impressed that their sound was extremely good quality and his deep, creepy, angry but melodic voice rang throughout the Dome perfectly! I was in GERMAN METAL ECSTASY!
With bands like that, their shows tend to be a little impersonal because they are so focused on giving a great performance that they don't really interact with the audience. So, I was happy that the audience sang along with "Du Hast" throughout the majority of the song. :)
Best show of my life ever the end!
Thomas said on May. 16, 2011 at 3:17pm
Hi there,
by chance my wife and I have had the opportunity to join a concert of our favorite band in US, because we spend some day in Vancouver. When I joined their performance the first time in Nov 1995 together with about 1000 other German fans I did not even knew their name, because of an invitation by a friend. Never ever I would have thought at this time, that once I'll be surrounded by 10.000 US fans in T-Dome to see and listen to them. Anyway, even after the 4th time I'm again and again excited. New for me this time was the 1st-row-survival-award-sticker, delivered to those who indeed survived. However, it was an unforgettable experience having joined the concert of our countrymen ;-)
Thanks as well to Combichrist for their excellent performance.
Thomas & Christiane (Karlsruhe/Germany)
Kevin Violette said on May. 16, 2011 at 3:31pm
The best concert I have ever seen, by far, a total visual and aural assault. Till Lindemann is not just scary, he is smart. As a German speaker, I can tell you that his lyrics are clever, witty and even poetic...although quite dark and morbid. And how about some love for opening act Combichrist? Very high energy techno/metal headbanging bliss. But Rammstein is the BEST! I was a casual fan before, but now I am certifiable!
Scott said on May. 16, 2011 at 5:38pm
This was one awesome concert. I took my fiance, who is German and has never seen them live. I saw them in 2001 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, and they couldnt use any pyro. Anyway, the show at the Tacoma Dome was a complete assault on all senses. We were close enough to feel the heat every time flames went off, and we were impressed with the volume and the fact that the instruments didnt drown out Till's voice. By far the best show ever. I will see them every chance I get. Thanks Rammstein, and thanks to Combichrist too. You could feel those drums all the way up your legs. Awesome.
Andy Turchan said on May. 16, 2011 at 6:22pm
I've seen tons of concerts in my life . This was unbelievable !!! I listen to all kinds of music , from classical to Rob Zombie and everything in between . This show married opera , classical and rock all together . I drove from Vancouver to see them . This morning Tacoma was buzzing about the last night's show !!! Danke Rammstein ......
Thomas said on May. 16, 2011 at 6:23pm
Amazing concert last night, simply blew my mind. This was one of my things to do on my "bucket list" and it wasn't disappointing at all; the concert was more rewarding than graduating college. The stage performance by Till and Flake was comical yet definitely semi-dark and brutal, which of course is the stage relationship from the various videos I have seen. Richard and Paul were amazing as well and looked like they were playing their best performance; Ollie as well simply played outstanding, simple yet powerful. The heartbeat of the band, Doom, was great as well and performed just as amazing as everyone else. Great show and amazing sound, thank you Rammstein for coming to the PNW!
Tara said on May. 16, 2011 at 6:54pm
THE BEST CONCERT BY FAR!
Brian said on May. 17, 2011 at 1:44am
There is nothing to say but %#@*^ AWESOME. I drove down from Vancouver for the gig - and well worth every cent of gas money and hours spent in the car! Support band Combichrist was also excellent!!!!
john said on May. 17, 2011 at 7:15am
saw them in edmonton a few days ago. been a fan for 10+ years. first time i've seen them live. greatest live concert show i've ever seen. combi was absolutely awesome too.
Laura said on May. 17, 2011 at 11:35am
Travelled all the way from Dallas just to see the show and it didn't disappoint!
EatIt said on May. 17, 2011 at 4:39pm
I have never, ever, seen a band bow down and take a knee at the end of the show.
That was just freakin' awesome. Best rock show I've ever witnessed. Period.
tara said on May. 17, 2011 at 4:47pm
I liked the bow as well.
Jeremy said on May. 18, 2011 at 12:31am
Awesome show, ears still slightly ringing and my body sore as $#!+. Survived the opening band and just over half of Rammstein dead center about 3 or 4 people back when I decided I'd had enough punishment and spent the remainder of the show toward the back of the floor enjoying the show. Although I almost wish I would have stayed up front. Up there the pyro was face blistering, the larger effects could be felt at the back of the crowd.
Barbara said on May. 18, 2011 at 10:40am
It was a fabulous show! I have been gopingto concerts for just over 45 years,and Rammstein in Tacoma was the bestthing I have ever done! Incredible. Beautiful, funny, powerful and amazing. Such incredible performers, entertainers far beyond the normal rock band, these are master manipulators of emotion and energy. I find them to be the hottest, sexiest, smartestr and bravest men in rock, certainly the sexiest. I dont find any of them scary at all, but absolutely fascinating. The show was beautiful, filled with the fire we expected but the overwhelming energy of love and adoration filled the room. It was the best show in my life and I was by no means their oldest fan as I thought I would be at 58...There was more than a 50 year age spread in OUR group alone, and we saw it repeatedly: THis band is ageless and so are their fans.
Sophie Poo said on May. 18, 2011 at 12:22pm
IT WAS AMAZING. PERIOD.
R+ FAN said on May. 18, 2011 at 5:01pm
RAMMMMMMSTEIN!!! 5/20/2011 LA FORUM! CAN'T WAIT! YES YES YES!!!!!
Colt said on May. 18, 2011 at 10:49pm
It was amazing, AMAZING... Fucking loved it.... And the tredmill thing Flake was doing was per reference to the musik video "Ich Tu Der Weh" But all in all best concert id been to since Ozzy and Rob Zombie at the Rose Garden, Fuckin Excellent and definatly will be attending there next tour.
tara said on May. 19, 2011 at 8:10pm
I LOVE THEM!!
sdocean said on May. 19, 2011 at 10:21pm
I discovered Rammstein about a year ago. It was on the XXX movie appearance. Once I started looking into who they were all I could say was #!@##$ Why haven't I heard of this band before! Since then I have bought 5 of their CD's and now they are my favorite band. I went to the Tacoma concert and was blown away. They are everything I had expected and more. I have been going to concerts for 33 years and this was definitely the best concert I have ever seen. I can't wait to see them again.
Paul said on May. 20, 2011 at 9:43pm
i went to the rammstein concert in tacoma it was by far the best show. i drove from portland oregon to catch the show well worth the drive...thanks rammstein please tour in the us again
abby said on May. 21, 2011 at 7:15am
Seriousley the best show i have ever been to. i drove all the way from wyoming, it was worth selling everything to get there. i owe these guys everything for they are what got me through high school. seriouse, wrote a passing paper on them my senior year. there is no doubt in my mind, best band ever, both as humans and as performers.
ivan said on May. 21, 2011 at 10:25am
THE BEST SHOW AT THE TACOMA DOME RAAMSTEIN YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1the best show i ever seen in my hole life .....i wish this band comeback pretty soon
the money i spend in this show is nothing compare what i saw ....iist my favorite band ...and this is the first time i went to see them i love u guys u make feel like really emotion .....comeback soon......
Claudia said on May. 23, 2011 at 12:40pm
I was at the LA show on Frida, and mannnnnnnnnnnnnn best show ever !!!!!! i will never forget this nite
Jeff said on May. 29, 2011 at 2:36pm
I attended the Rammstein concert at the Tacoma Dome and all I can say is OMG!!! What an amazing concert. It was easily the best concert I have evere seen. I have seen all the great heavy metal bands over the past 30 years or so.....Iron Maiden, Metallica, Dio, Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Kiss, etc. and I can honestly say that Rammstein blows all of them out of the water. I was in the GA section right behind the soundboard and could still feel the heat from all of the fire on the stage. It's definitely a night that I will never forget thats for sure. It's hard for me to pick out the best moments from the show because there were so many.......the show was awsome from start to finish. I also thought it was awsome and classy of Till, Flake, Doom, Richard, Paul, and Ollie to bow and kneel at the end of the show.......taking the time to show their appreciation to the fans. I'm so glad that I was able to see them at least once in my lifetime but I really hope that they will come back to the US again because I would love to see Rammstein again.......they are a BEAST!! Other bands play.......RAMMSTEIN burns!!
chris nelson said on Jun. 18, 2011 at 10:33am
I'm 55 and went to a lot of heavy metal concerts in my day. I came up from Oregon with my son and girl friend. awesome show ! made me realize how much I like live music!!
Sophia M. said on Jun. 20, 2011 at 11:00pm
Wow. I was very front of the pit, hanging on to dear life to that railing and man.... that was amazing. I saved my first concert to be with Rammstein and it was worth the 10 year wait. Thank you Rammstein, thank you.
george said on May. 15, 2012 at 4:02pm
Rammstein sounded like,,,,,,,,,, THUNDER,,,,,,,,,the lite and pyro show will never be topped , EVER ,, they sounded like their dvd, "live in berlin" the show centered around these metal rockers that rammstein fans love !!!! If they ever come back to tacoma,, COUNT ME IN !!!!!! DU HAST !!!!!
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