Rammstein

No German band has ever penetrated the metal music industry scene like Rammstein. Wherever they perform people are taken by their heart-pounding tunes in an Industrial metal genre or tanz-metal as they would like to put it. Audiences and fans all over the world chant the lyrics even without understanding as most of their songs are written in German.

Rammstein is a psychedelic concoction of everything that makes up one hell of a metal band. This, taken figuratively and literally. Every concert or live performance is made explosive not only by the overpowering stage presence and voice of their front man, Till Lindermann but also of the pyrotechnics. Rammstein is made popular not only of the pyroworks but also of their outlandish costumes. This led to the fitting description from the fans: "Other bands play, Rammstein burns!" and the New York Times of Rammstein's music as a "powerful strain of brutally intense rock… bring[ing] gale-force music and spectacular theatrics together".

Rammstein comprise of Till Lindemann (lead vocals and licensed pyrotechnician), Oliver "Ollie" Riedel (bass guitar), Richard Z. Kruspe (lead guitar and backing vocals), Christoph "Doom" Schneider (drums and Electronic percussion), Paul H. Landers (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Christian "Flake" Lorenz (keyboards).

Here's Rammstein with my favorite song-- Du Hast...




And another fiery performance..

Apocalyptica: A Revelation

Some weeks back, a day at a Karaoke bar made me remember one of my all-time favorites—Du Hast by Rammstein. But I'm not gonna be writing on Rammstein today. Reading on them, I discovered another band which caught my interest. Though they've been rocking years back from 1993, I really have not heard of them until that time. Not that they're not good, in fact, I find their music really powerful. And what better topic to write about in my new blog than Apocalyptica.

The band name alone spells of an unusual revelation. And true to their name, Apocalyptica may be regarded among the most unique Rock bands. Original in every aspect, the band alludes with that genre-shattering appeal, hypnotizing rockers with a music that is unlike any others.

Elegantly classic and metal. If you find it hard to imagine the fusion of such terms. Then that's what Apocalyptica perfectly represents. Apocalyptica is a cello metal band from Finland. With their classical instruments and incredible arrangements, they've come up with heavy metal sounds featuring musical elements from neo-classical metal, classical music, thrash metal, and symphonic metal that pierces even the soul.

Apocalyptica consists of three cello players that have attended the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with a recent addition—a drummer. Current members include Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Perttu Kivilaakso, and Mikko Sirén. Among the band, my personal favorite would be the sexy Kivilaakso who plays a German 19th century cello which he adoringly nicknamed "Der Herzbrecher". Click on the picture to see enlarged image of Perttu...

To know more about the band and their music, visit their official website http://www.apocalyptica.com/.