Rammstein
Zeit

Already from their 1995 debut, Rammstein outlined a precise style: aesthetics and Industrial influences, sung in German with robotic riffs and martial rhythms. To define them simply as industrial is a mistake because they are not simply that. I would frame them more as a sort of electronic rock that highlights the vocals, with forays into heaviness as well as choral moments, nocturnal atmospheres, and even if some of the previously mentioned elements were obviously not invented by them, they have managed to channel them into their style that has brought them great worldwide success, even though it is often about music not accessible to everyone.

For “Zeit” we didn't have to wait as long as we did for the previous self-titled album (9 years), which, though perhaps their lesser work, reminded us that the German group has never failed a release, and I'll immediately say that this didn't happen even in a year so full of uncertainties. Their eighth album has its own identity and doesn't present particular stylistic surprises, but that's how it should be. We're talking about a group that could never stray too far from their defined patterns without being out of tune, but this doesn't necessarily have to be seen as a bad thing, especially considering that their playground is quite broad without betraying their roots too much. Also in this album, we find the classic formulas: ear-catching singles (“Zick Zack”, “Giftig”), the evocative atmospheres without giving up the heaviness that made albums like “Mutter” and “Reise Reise” great (for me, their two flagship albums) found, for example, in "Schwarz" and “Adieu”, one of the best songs of the bunch, and more reflective moments like “Zeit” which represents something closer to a ballad with truly interesting lyrics. Let's consider that these formulas often merge into a sound that still sounds fresh today and never bores, even because there isn't an episode to particularly dismiss, and the record flows without defects, even if it doesn’t reach the peaks of their career. More than other times, a unique identity and atmosphere emerge, which this time is sadder and colder than usual, and this is one of the strengths of the album, given the themes concerning the ruthless passage of time and, especially for me who never quite appreciated the aforementioned ear-catching singles, which are also more serious than usual here, it's always better when they venture into something more varied.

Perhaps we are facing their best album since “Reise Reise”, but I don't want to make comparisons, and only more listens over time will determine that. What is certain is that the test is passed with flying colors, also because releasing such a pleasant album at this point in their career is not common for everyone.

Rating 8

1. Armee Der Tristen
2. Zeit
3. Schwarz
4. Giftig
5. Zick Zack
6. Ok
7. Meine Tränen
8. Angst
9. Dicke Titten
10. Lügen
11. Adieu