Year: 2022
Total Time: 44.13
Label: Universal
RAMMSTEIN is not just a band, it’s an ideology or better a religion with millions of fans, either fanatics (to which I belong), or ordinary fans. All of them can belong to disparate genres from Rock, Metal to Industrial, Darkwave and Pop/Disco/Edm. In general, the Germans have a huge acceptance and every album they release becomes worldwide news in the music world and beyond…
So, in less than 3 years, after their amazing self-titled album in 2019, they release “Zeit”, which means “time” in English. The first signs we received were not encouraging… First of all, they clearly stated that it was an album written during quarantine and exhausting lockdowns. So, I had my doubts about what people aged between 51-60 years old with children and grandchildren could write in their homes (and home studios). And indeed, listening to the first single, “Zeit”, I was completely disappointed. I consider it one of the worst songs in their history, a ballad whose chorus is worse than its couplets. But then the second single , “Zick Zack”, blew my mind! Stunning classic “Rammtein-ish” upbeat composition, awesome chorus accompanied by an even more amazing video, with caustic lyrics that showcase human vanity to the fullest. Botox, fillers, lifts, silicones, hair dyes, teeth whiteners until deep old age, until your face is disfigured and you are unrecognizable … But “time” is relentless for all of us and aging is inevitable…….
Now, the whole album is in my hands! It opens with “Armee der Tristen” (The Army Of The Sad). Another ballad song that speaks of the sadness and sorrow we all feel because of the situations we live in. I can’t say that it thrilled me… For the title track, we’ve said some things above. I was also unimpressed with “Schwarz” (Black), which once again has ballad elements and the lyrics are also very dark, but fortunately it has a very good chorus. Reaching the fourth song of the album, “Giftig” (Poisonous), we listen to a composition that wakes you up with its rhythm, melodies and chorus. We’ve already mentioned some things about “Zick Zack”. Then comes another powerful and fast track, the amazing “OK” aka “Ohne Kondom” (Without Condom). Amazing chorus full of irony and great keyboard passages.
After these three fast tracks, the tempo drops again with “Meine Tranen” (My Tears). A hymn dedicated to the mother and definitely the best ballad of the album. This is followed by the very good and maybe the hardest and strongest song of the album entitled “Angst” (Fear), definitely one of the highlights of the album along with “Zeit”, with a fantastic chorus and many sonic surprises combined with clever orchestrations. As for Till Lindemann’s interpretation I have no words! “Dicke Titten” is accompanied by a very good video clip which highlights the ironic and provocative lyrics of the Germans. Moreover, we come across some philharmonic orchestra sounds that give a lot of extras to the composition and generally prove to us that RAMMSTEIN still have a lot to give, as long as they want to. “Lugen” (Lies) that follows is also a bit slow, but with new ideas and elements that have never been presented before. “Lugen” (lies) that follows is also a bit slow, but with new ideas and elements that have never been presented before. The album ends with “Adieu” (Goodbye) which to my ears sounds like just a good song. Could it be the last song they wrote as a band, in order to say goodbye?
To sum up, I think that “Zeit” is the least good album they have released (because there is no such thing as a bad RAMMSTEIN album!). I also wonder why such anobsession with ballads? The production, the booklet, the artwork… everything is perfect! So, the album has strengths and weaknesses. RAMMSTEIN fans will buy “Zeit” and will listen to it pleasantly, but I’m sure they will be concerned about some things like I did …
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Dimitris Argyrakis
Related Link: RAMMSTEIN – Official Page
