Zeit

by Rammstein

Overview

After a relatively quick turnaround, German metal masters Rammstein added another highlight to their discography with eighth album Zeit. Like many other artists around the world, a postponed tour during the COVID-19 pandemic forced the band back to the studio to funnel their creative juices into a new album, erasing any fears that it'd be another decade before hearing a follow-up to 2019's Untitled. Much like that catalog triumph, Zeit is yet another step forward in artistic growth and maturity; it might even be Rammstein's most thoughtful and poignant record to date. Yes, even with a song titled "Dicke Titten" ("Big Tits"). The title track is a towering accomplishment of power and restraint, an unexpected meditation on time and aging that finds hulking frontman Till Lindemann contemplating mortality against a swelling backdrop of angst and drama provided by guitarists Paul Landers and Richard Z. Kruspe, bassist Oliver Riedel, drummer Christoph Schneider, and keyboardist Flake Lorenz. Similarly sprawling epics unfold throughout the set, from "Schwarz" ("Black") -- an ode to the night that is woven with gorgeous piano -- to "Meine Traenen" ("My Tears") -- an unsettling snapshot of abuse that matches the heavy subject matter with appropriately dramatic string backing. The poignant theatrics are balanced by head-bangers so raucous that longtime fans will immediately envision Lindemann on stage smashing the hell out of his knees as towers of flames threaten to burn down the venue. The "Zwitter"-esque "Giftig" ("Poisonous") takes Rammstein's classic chugging riffs, frenzied synth stabs, and horror-choir dread and updates that delivery with a surprising Auto-Tune break (those effects later appear on the frenzied "Luegen" ["Lies"]). "Zick Zack" ("Zig Zag") settles into a deep groove as scuzzy guitar lends a "Keine Lust" energy to this biting social commentary that's both slyly smart and as icky as the accompanying music video. Flake works overtime on the keyboards as Landers and Kruspe summon a riff storm on the arena-metal "OK," while Lindemann roars his way through the mighty "Angst" ("Fear"). Along with "Zeit," "Giftig," and "Zick Zack," the album's grand opener, "Armee der Tristen" ("Army of the Dreary"), is a standout, a synth-heavy epic that recalls the best of Sehnsucht or Mutter. Stately and almost elegant, Zeit is a haunted, pensive work that faces life's inevitabilities with an appropriate rage, heart, and sense of humor that only Rammstein can deliver. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	04/29/2022
Label:	Spinefarm Records / Virgin
UPC:	0602445085019

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rammstein   Primary Artist
Konzertchor Dresden   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
Staatskapelle Dresden   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Richard Z. Kruspe   Guitar
Wolfram Grosse   Clarinet
Christian "Doktor" Lorenz   Keyboards
Friedemann Schulz   Piano,Conductor
J.J. Duvet   Vocals (Background)
Wilhelm Keitel   Choir Conductor,Conductor
Bernd Schober   Oboe
Sven Helbig   Orchestra
Constantin Krieg   Horn,Keyboards,Synthesizer
National Philharmonic Orchestra of Belarus   Choir/Chorus
Paul Landers   Guitar
Till Lindemann   Vocals
Oliver Riedel   Guitar (Bass)
Christoph "Doom" Schneider   Drums

Technical Credits

Christoph "Doom" Schneider   Composer,Group Member
Richard Z. Kruspe   Composer,Group Member
Daniel Cayotte   Assistant Engineer,Studio Assistant
Birgit Fordyce   Management
Stefan Mehnert   Management
Diana Chowdhury   Assistant Management
Dzmitry Karshakevich   Engineer,Recording
Siarhei Chaika   Engineer,Recording
Martin Fischer   Engineer,Recording
Christian "Doktor" Lorenz   Composer,Group Member
Ross Rosseberg   Drum Technician
Lisa Heins   Project Manager
Florian Ammon   Editing,Pro-Tools,Programming,Audio Engineer,Additional Production
Sven Helbig   Arranger,Choir Arrangement,Orchestral Arrangements
Sky Van Hoff   Editing,Programming,Guitar Engineer,Guitar Producer
Nando Bernaldo   Keyboard Technician
Jens Dreesen   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Dirk Rudolph   Artwork
Constantin Krieg   Programming
Rammstein   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
Paul Landers   Composer,Group Member
Till Lindemann   Composer,Group Member
Oliver Riedel   Composer,Group Member
Bryan Adams   Photography
Olsen Involtini   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording