Sunday, February 2, 2014

I Don't Know Why I Love German Rock So Much

I first became interested in German rock after happening to hear "Du Hast" by Rammstein on St. Louis' alternative rock station 105.7 The Point.

I liked the sound of it, so I started looking up more music from Rammstein, and from there, I kept getting more into German rock entirely.

I don't know what it is that makes it sound so great to me, maybe it's the fact that the lyrics sound more forceful in German, or that some German bands, Rammstein especially, tend to be rather eccentric, their music videos tend to be entertaining, and Rammstein's concert videos have some spectacular fireworks displays.

This is Rammstein playing "Du Riechst So Gut" at a live performance in Berlin. I love the flaming steel bow he's waving around.


Sometimes the lyrics of the songs really get me though, like the lyrics to "Du Spielst Gott" (You Play God) by Oomph!
 



Never will I accept your hell
Never will you infect every cell

You're playing God again and again with your power
You're playing God who ridicules me again and again

(Heal me - Feel me)
The wounds break open
Your work is taking its course
Contaminated by your cure

I wake up abused
Fear accepts me
Contaminated by your cure

My heart beats faster
As you dig yourself deeper into me
The light is getting brighter
As you hopelessly revive me

Open all my rooms
Show me all your games
Destroy all my dreams
Take all my aspirations from me

How long have you deformed my shell?
How long was my free will strangled?

It's a perfect song for an ex-fundamentalist like me.

I've also gotten into the band Eisbrecher, this is their rendition of the popular German song Ohne Dich:


Is there any rock that you listen to that not many people would be familiar with?

17 comments:

  1. You love German rock because it's awesome! What is there to explain? I salute your good taste.

    As for other German rock bands, I'm a big fan of Asp and Unheilig. Das Ich has a few songs I like as well.

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    1. I've heard a little Unhelig, haven't gotten around to hearing Asp.

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  2. While we're on the topic of international rock/metal, I also recommend Orphaned Land (Israel) and Myrath (Tunisia).

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    1. I haven't heard Myrath yet, you showed me that one video of Orphaned Land, the song seemed rather upbeat, and the lead singer had a great voice.

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  3. Have you gotten around to Die Toten Hosen, Die Ärtzte or other similar bands? They are older bands (go back to the 80s but are still active) that still get a lot of play on the radio and during holiday parties.

    I don't think I know anyone who doesn't know "Hier Kommt Alex", "Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder" or "Zehn kleine Jägermeister".

    You can always poke me if you have a question or find something new as I love discovering new music. ;)

    Die Ärzte are just so prolific it's hard to pick a couple songs to recommend. I would start with "Lasse Red'n" (Let them talk).

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    1. A fan on Google + just showed me some stuff from Die Toten Hosen. I know I've heard some stuff from Die Artze. I remember one music video of theirs (don't remember which song it was for), where these stereotypical upper middle class suburbanites were turning into zombies, lol.

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  4. If you can take the harsh vocals, I might recommend you check out some of the Norwegian bands. Mayhem is astounding, if disturbing. Or, for erudite lyrics, the stalwart Northern Sons of dark tranquillity are great. I am the world's nerdiest metalhead, so take these recos with a grain of salt!

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    1. I know Sweden and Norway are a big hotbed for very dark/death metal. I might try the Northern Sons there, sounds interesting.

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    2. Actually, Dark Tranquillity is the band name. :) Northern Sons was just a description!

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    3. Dark Tranquility is a great band name.

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  5. Babymetal
    Dazzle Vision

    Let's not leave out the Japanese.

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    1. Is Japanese rock more pop/techno influenced?

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    2. The band Sigh describes itself as "horror metal", but you are right overall. Have to admit that Japanese pop is the most annoying music in the world to me after Christian Praise Rock!

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    3. Lol. There are a few German pop/rock groups out there as well, I can't remember the name, but one of them had a catchy song that translated to "God is a popstar"

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  6. Have you heard of Eisbrecher and KMFDM? (They're more techno-industrial) We went to a Rammstein concert just last year and it was AMAZING! You actually feel the heat from the stage when they set off their giant fire cannons. I have some video footage of them entering the arena - they came right beside us. So cool!

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    1. Ugh, ok, disregard my asking about Eisbrecher. I got too excited before commenting!
      There's also Theatre of Tragedy (but I'm not sure where they're from. A bit of a different style, but interesting nonetheless)

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    2. I'm so jealous that's you've been to a Rammstein concert, that's high up there on my bucket list. I would love to sign Du Hast or ich Will with the audience and the band.

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