Two blokes in a pub (stick with me I promise there is a point to this) and one turns to the other and says I notice Rammstein's new album is in the shops, his mate turns and replies, oh them germans, bloody perverts, all that leather and stuff, and their stage shows, all pyrotechnics and exploding giant dildos, and to cap it all, aren't they racist as well, well thats what I read in the paper.

Well if like our two friends thats your impression of Rammstein, well like them you'd better wise up because although their stage shows are very over the top, all the band can be accused of is being very patriotic and as everybody knows patriotic is a million miles away from racism.

So in other words our german friends are simply proud to be german just like I am proud to be british, so lets cut the crap and let the music do the talking.

Mutter (or mother as it is in english) is the band's third album to date and without doubt their best so far, in fact it only takes just one play to hear how far the band's songwriting has improved and how far the band has developed as a unit.

Mutter is full of monolithic riffs and big, big chorus's (the type Ministry and Metallica just don't do any more). Mutter is harsh and frequently humerous as well as being wilfully perverse. Everything a rock and roll album should be but very rarely is, and the fact that it is sung entirely in german simply adds to the overall proceedings, giving I believe all the songs extended depth and atmosphere that simply wouldn't be there if they had tried this in english.

As for the songs, well my german is non-existent so translation is out of the question, but some songs like Feuer Frei need no translation as the song hits you at 100mph and nearly blows you off your feet. While Spieluhr and Adios simply oozes melody while the title track showcases their folk influences.

So its decision time, do you go with the two blokes in the pub who spend most of their spare time putting the world to right (or wrongs as the case may be), or do you simply embrace Mutter for what it is, quite simply a work of genius and one of the albums of the year so far. I know what I'm gonna do hope you do to.
Recommended.

Released by Motor/Universal

Review by Andy