01.08.2013 Rammstein

Wacken Open Air XXIV

Wacken (Germany)

(Pentax K-5 with Sigma AF 70-200mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

The main area was jammed, the sun already set and the exitement that high that you could bearly endure it. Finally at 22:15 the drum intro of "Ich tu dir weh" was sounding whilst firework rockets were fired from behind the stage in sync. A fulminant entrance into a great show becaus quite Rammstein sytle from that point in time nearly permanently something was burning on stage.
Due to the massive stage buildings (huge spots, a massive Rammstein logo in the background, huge platforms for drums, keyboarder and bassist) no other band was able to play on the True Metal Stage. That was exclusively blocked for Rammstein and after the curtain had fallen and Till wafted downwards wearing a pink plush jacket (I alread had seen that at Nijmegen but still find it terrible) the audience in front of the stage started to rage. No matter which song, if it was "Sehnsucht", Du hast" or "Ich will", every but really every song was supported by loud choirs and you could really see in the faces of the artists that they were deeply impressed. The elements of each song are well known to people who already have seen a Rammstein concert. Each one has its defined choreography and pyro effects which are principally not changed. Predictable but nevertheless more than impressive and fascinating. No matter if it was the flame throwing petrol pump during "Benzin", or if Till is cooking his keyboarder Flake during "Mein Teil" tenderly via a flame thrower. Wonderful was during the encore the slow piano version of "Mein Herz brennt" during which only Flake and Till were on stage completely illuminated in red. That were real goosebumps!
Another highlight may not be missing. Already in front of the gig news were wandering like a ghost through the press and on that evening the fears became reality: Heino should be on stage together with Rammstein. During "Sonne" Till suddenly announced Heino and he was entering the stage wearing a red leather jacket and singing the refrain together with Rammstein. A somhow bizarre spectacle. The end was formed by the ride on the penis cannon during "Pussy" and with that a completely satisfied audience was dismissed.
Effectively this gig was an exact copy of the one at Nijmegen (OK, just exchange the there used grand piano during "Mein Herz brennt" by a piano). Nevertheless due to the way larger setting also this show had its highlights. The band was obviously impressed by the huge crowd in front of the stage going along with them at all songs without exception. A show of Rammstein is always worth it, not only because of the opulent scenery and sophisticated pyro effects. It is the total artwork that is pleasing each time anew. Only the appearance of Heino was completely unnecessary. He was obviously feeling uncomfortable on stage and seemed a little bit misplaced. Till was due to that view not able to prevent himself of grinning. But anyway. I had a lot of fun and a great day had a wonderful ending.