Review By: Kelly Besaw
German industrial metal legends Rammstein made a fiery return to “Amerika” stopping at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY on July 25 as part of their 2017 live tour. Rammstein who has not toured the states in several years received a warm reception from the sold-out crowd of 15,000.
Opening act 3Teeth kicked off the show at exactly 8:30pm and tore through a seven-song set comprised of songs from their self-titled debut album and their new release Shutdown. The band has talent and I expect that we will see more from them in the future as they continue to pave their way in the industrial music scene. 3Teeth played almost exactly 30 minutes indicating that the theme of the evening would be precision.
It was my first time seeing Rammstein. I have been a fan for years but never had an opportunity to see the band live. I was pumped. This was an extra special occasion for my family as it was my husband’s first time seeing the band and we brought our five-year-old son who is also very into Rammstein.
From the moment the countdown curtain dropped, to the moment they left the stage, Rammstein had the audience captivated. Lead singer, Till Lindemann tap-danced onto the stage donned in a white coat and white top hat as the fans roared. The band is all about precision. Every song, every move, every burst of flame was calculated and executed with perfection. They kicked off the set with “Ramm 4” complete with pyrotechnics and then went right into “Reise, Reise.” My son was thrilled when he heard the opening notes of his favorite song, “Hallelujah.” He was standing up on his seat singing along, fists pumping.
It wasn’t long before Rammstein broke out the flamethrower masks for “Feuer Frei.” Guitarists Richard Kruspe and Paul Landers masterfully spun fire in circles despite the wind. The fire show continued during “Ich Tu Dir Weh” when Lindemann ascended onto a platform above the stage and poured a bucket of flaming sparks onto keyboardist Christian Lorenz. Lorenz survived the onslaught and returned to the state to perform “Du Riechst So Gut” dressed in a sparkling silver disco ball suit.
The crowd got louder and chanted along during “Ich Will” and “Du Hast.” Rammstein ended the main set with a wild cover of Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” before stepping off stage for a moment. The encore had some of the most amazing fire tricks of the night, including flame throwers on both end of the stage with fire meeting in the middle as Lindemann wowed the crowd with “Sonne” and “Amerika.” The evening ended with Lindemann ascending above the stage wearing flaming angel wings as the band performed “Engel.” The efficiency that this type of stage performance requires is intense. One mistake could mean fatal disaster for one of the band members. Rammstein is clearly in command and are masters of not only the music, but the fire and the fans. I’m so glad I finally got the see them live. My son is one lucky kid! He loved every minute of it.
Set list: Ramm 4, Reise, Reise, Hallelujah, Zerstoren, Keine Lust, Feurer Frei!, Seemann, Ich tu dir weh, Du riecht so gut, Mein Herz Brennt, Link 2-3-4, Ich Will, Du Hast, Stripped (Depeche Mode cover)
Encore: Sonne, Amerika, Engel, Ohne Dich (song played from tape) piano version