Ihr wollt doch auch das Blut vom Degen lecken

Last week I got the chance to see just about my favourite band, Rammstein, live for the first time, at the Brixton Academy. I kind of knew what to expect, because I have the concert DVD Live aus Berlin, and kind of didn't, because that was recorded three years ago. Do you know what it's like when you go anticipating something special only to have your expectations are blown away within five minutes because the reality is way better? That's how it was. They were amazing, awe-inspiring, incredible.

Firstly there was the musical excellence of the performance, the band playing the songs as well as any live band I've ever seen but with the added power and dynamics of the live rendition. Then there was the sound. It was brutally loud, like industrial metal bands are supposed to be, but unlike most bands who play that loud where you often struggle to hear the music properly - and you know this is true when you stand through a support band you've never heard before and realise afterward that you still have no idea what they sound like - the sound quality was superb; crystal clear so all the instruments were audible in the mix and delivered at ear-splitting volume.

And then there was the show. And show, believe me, is the word. Rammstein don't walk on stage, play a bunch of songs, take the applause and then go home. They don't talk to the audience, except for Till Lindemann's fractured but clearly genuine thanks in English at the end for their response. They put on a very visual performance with plenty of theatrics, and of course the stunning pyrotechnics for which they are famous; flamethrowers, fireworks, explosions galore, enough to keep it exciting but not too much that they get boring. The party piece has to be the first encore, "Rammstein", which Till Lindemann sings whilst standing in crucifix position wearing an overcoat which is totally aflame. No matter whether you've seen it on TV, it's immensely impressive seeing it done live. Stunning, just stunning. Can't wait 'til they come back.