After the painful wait of over two years due to Covid restrictions worldwide, Rammstein finally made it to Soldier Field in Chicago, as part of their current North American stadium tour this past Saturday night (September 3rd). A fair question for people to ask is “Was it worth the wait?” I can answer that with a very enthusiastic (more like bombastic) Hell yes! It damn sure was.
As a veteran of photographing/reviewing many live shows throughout the years, I gladly accepted the challenge of putting the band’s live performance into perspective here. As a fan of the music since their inception in 1994, it’s hard to imagine the level of popularity attained by chosing to not follow the more traditional routes of exposure that are typical of bands of this magnitude.
Make no mistake though, Rammstein remains as one of the few musical juggernauts that made their bones mostly through their reputation as incredible musicians, along with their infamous use of fire, pyrotechnics, lighting and a flair for “over the top theatrics.”
To give you a sense of the enormity of the post-apocalyptic themed stage that is currently in use, it took seven, (yes you read that correctly) seven 747 jumbo jets to haul this monster across the pond, as well as 60 trucks to take two complete stages around North America. As if that’s not enough, they average 265 gallons of fuel (per show) for all of the fire effects and that doesn’t even include the massive display of fireworks and explosions that are also on display.
To say that Rammstein’s show is unlike anything that you’ve ever seen before (or probably ever will in your lifetime) is like saying Till Lindemann likes playing with matches. Let me just say that you will definitely feel the heat and that may include some singed hairs before it’s all said and done.
So, let’s talk about the live show that unfolded before a sold out audience of 40,000 plus fans. The opening act Duo Abelard, consisted of dual pianists playing Rammstein songs much in the same “punch you in the face” fashion that the band would play some of those very same songs later on in the evening.
Although slightly skeptical of this choice for an opener, much to my surprise and I suspect most everyone else in the stadium, it worked very well. Those poor pianos though, they literally took a pounding from these very talented young ladies from France.
After a brief intermission and a recorded announcement from the band “enjoy your evening with Rammstein” (akin to a flight attendant asking you gently to please fasten your seatbelts) the epic audiovisual assault began with a set of explosions that caught nearly everyone off guard [including myself] while launching into “Armee Der Tristen” and “Zick Zack.”
From this point it was an all out assault to the senses with a 21 song set list that covered their three decades of music and lasted over 2 and a half hours. Just to name a few, songs included fan favorites “Du Hast,” ‘Links 234,” “Mein Herz Brent,” “Sonne,” “Deutschland” and so many more.
One of the surprising moments of the evening consisted of the band doing a stripped down version of one of my personal favorites “Engel,” once again accompanied by pianists Duo Abelard.
While slightly bummed about Till “retiring” his Engel wings of fire from previous tours, sans said wings and instruments, this version was just absolutely amazing and hauntingly beautiful. Ramping up the power of this song was the added effect of everyone in the stadium singing along word for word, while completely lighting up the venue with their phone flashlights, it was truly something to behold.
As this was the first of a two encore set, the band opened up the final volley of the evening with “Rammstein,” and frontman Till Lindemann donned a “pyro backpack” that intermittently spewed a perfect half circle of flameas around him. This was followed by the stacatto march of “Ich Will” and the final song of the evening, appropriately “Adieu.”
As the band gave their traditional front of stage kneel to the crowd showing their true appreciation, there were many thoughts that crossed my mind, as they continue to do days after the show.
The sensory overload that is a Rammstein show can not be matched by anything that I’ve ever witnessed and as stated earlier, I don’t think ever will. The endorphine and adrenaline fueled high that is part of a Rammstein show is something that no artificial or natural substance can provide.
The only letdown was the day after the show when I realized it was over and all that was left was unforgettable memories, a horse voice, ringing ears and begin the long wait for the band to come back to the States and do it all again.
Set list
- Armee der Tristen
- Zick Zack
- Links 2-3-4
- Sehnsucht
- Zeig dich
- Mein Herz brennt
- Puppe
- Heirate mich
- Zeit
- Deutschland
(Remix by Richard Z. Kruspe)
- Encore:
- Engel
(with Duo Abélard) (Piano version; performed on B-stage)
Vocalist, guitarist and original member Nergal, commanded the crowd during “Conquer All” “Messe Noire” and “Alas, Lord is Upon Me” and rose into the crowd with help from the fans and security. Behemoth provided a “prelude to madness” as Lamb of God was next.
