Rammstein (German pronunciation: [ˈʁamʃtaɪn]) is a German rock band, formed in 1994 in Berlin. Since its formation, Rammstein's six-man lineup has remained unchanged - singer Till Lindemann, guitarists Richard Z. Kruspe and Paul H. Landers, bassist Oliver "Ollie" Riedel, drummer Christoph "Doom" Schneider and keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz.
Rammstein were among the founding bands of a German/Austrian subgenre in the mid-1990's where industrial rock and (groove) metal were mixed in a vein that became known as NDH, Neue Deutsche Härte (lit. New German Hardness), clearly inspired by industrial acts like Laibach, Die Krupps and Ministry, but also metal bands like Pantera and Sepultura. The majority of their songs are in German, but they have also performed songs entirely or partially in other languages, including English, Spanish, French and Russian. Rammstein's award-winning live shows are known for their pyrotechnic elements and both on and off-stage theatrics, and nowadays, they call their music Tanz Metal ("Dance Metal").
There has been some controversy around their name. During their formative years 1993/94, they were throwing out names while in Feeling B's tour bus, and someone wrote Rammstein Flugschau ("Rammstein Air Show") on the wall. Ramstein Air Base outside Kaiserslautern in southern Germany is mainly the headquarters for the US Air Forces in Europe and Africa. In 1988 there was a horrible accident during an Italian air show that killed 70 people. They contemplated other names, like Milch (Milk), Erde (Earth) and Mutter (Mother), but the misspelt Rammstein stuck with them. They have long since distanced themselves from the old name and story.
Members:
Till Lindemann – lead vocals, harmonica
Richard Z. Kruspe – lead guitar, keyboard, backing vocals
Paul Landers – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Oliver Riedel – bass
Christian Lorenz – keyboard, samples, synthesizers
Christoph Schneider – drums, percussion
