Rammstein

Rammstein, whose name translates to "ramming stone," is a seminal German Neue Deutsche Härte band formed in Berlin in 1994. The band`s iconic lineup—Till Lindemann (vocals), Richard Kruspe (guitar), Paul Landers (guitar), Oliver Riedel (bass), Christoph Schneider (drums), and Christian "Flake" Lorenz (keyboards)—has remained steadfast throughout their career. Their songwriting process is equally consistent: Lindemann crafts the lyrics, which are then layered onto instrumental tracks meticulously crafted by the rest of the band. Several members had prior experience in punk rock acts Feeling B and First Arsch.

After winning a local battle of the bands, Rammstein recorded demos that secured them a deal with Motor Music. Their 1995 debut album, Herzeleid, initially underperformed, but explosive live shows propelled them to success, eventually peaking at #6 in Germany. Their 1997 follow-up, Sehnsucht, debuted at #1, launching a nearly four-year world tour fueled by hits like "Engel" and "Du hast," and culminating in the landmark live album, Live aus Berlin (1999).