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Rammstein – 8/21/22 – at Parc Jean-Drapeau – Montreal
Fan Review + Photos by Alain Gervais
Surviving the front row of a Rammstein concert is more than embracing the 2 million watts of sound, scorching flamethrowers, and lead singer Till Lindemann’s phallic confetti-foam cannon. Securing a spot against the barricade near centre stage was a physical and mental marathon on its own: I lined up 9 hours before showtime to get through bag check, the Feuerzone waiting area, and finally the floor itself. It was mind over matter as I couldn’t risk drinking too much water lest I risk losing my spot to use the washroom, and my only post-breakfast solid food was a power bar generously given to me by a fellow fan.
The day’s weather was a double-edged sword – cool enough to avoid heatstroke and dehydration, but the increasing cloud cover culminated in myself, along with the other diehard Rammstein fans, enduring four torrential downpours, leaving us all soaked to the bone.
We agreed it was all worth it once we entered the stadium through the chain link fence gate, calmly at first before madly sprinting to the front of the colossal stage. Secure in my spot right-of-centre, it was finally time to ease up and hope the excitement and adrenaline of my first Rammstein concert would be enough to suppress thirst, hunger, and sore feet until after the show. The clouds cleared and gave way to the setting sun while the opening act, Duo Abélard, took to the small stage behind me in the centre of the floor.
Once Rammstein emerged and took their places on stage, we were assaulted by a sudden explosion of pyrotechnics and the show was on! Throughout the show, I was consistently pleased with the sound quality. I usually expect a cacophony of sound, but Rammstein must have hired the top live mixing engineers because each element of their sound was present and balanced, and of course loud.
Musically, I liked that Rammstein built a set list spanning their catalogue – from their newest album, Armee der Tristen, Zick Zack, Zeit, and closer Adieu, all the way back to Du Riechst So Gut, Rammstein, and even Heirate Mich, a B-side off their 1995 debut.
This tour was originally supposed to support their 2019 untitled album, which was well represented by Puppe, Deutschland, Ausländer, Zeig Dich, and Radio (perfect for me as I wore my Radio t-shirt, proudly emblazoned with the lyrics “Meine Ohren werden Augen”). They saved plenty of time for their concert classics too: Links 2 3 4, Mein Teil, Du Hast, Sonne, and interactive crowd favourite Ich Will. Missing was Feuer Frei and the accompanying heat of their face-mounted flamethrowers.
No Rammstein review would be complete without some adulation for the stage effects and acts. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves regarding the insane pyrotechnic show.
The most important thing I think I can say that might not have been said elsewhere is this: from my spot at the barricade, I saw barely half the pyrotechnics, explosions, and other effects because the stage was so tall and wide, and many effects were physically positioned behind me on the floor. This is not a complaint! This is to say that even if you can’t, won’t, or don’t end up at the front or even in the Feuerzone at all, Rammstein has ensured that every spectator will be thrilled with a performance to remember for a lifetime.
In light of this, I would absolutely see Rammstein live again, specifically to see them from a spot other than the front row to get a different—but equally high quality—experience.
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