My Top 5 Over-all Best Visual Concerts Part 2

My #2 all-time best visual effect performance I've ever seen goes to RAMMSTEIN. Who? I know, that's what I said the first time I heard them.

Although I have not seen this band perform live, I did get Rammstein's live 2 disc DVD/CD set VOLKERBALL last month for Christmas. Yes, Rammstein. Who is Rammstein? Well, they are a German band, consisting of 6 very bizarre band members. They have numerous cd's out and a whole selection of merchandise available at their website. From what I am told Rammstein was banned from the US a couple years ago for "inappropriate conduct" when I inquired about wanting to see them the next time they toured the US. If anyone knows anything differently, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! When I listened to their song "Links 234" for the first time about a year ago I thought it was the most power-driven song ever with a beat you can't sit still to, so I snatched my son's CD and made it mine. Their video of the ants was pretty neat, too. Du Hast, and Feuer Frei are awesome songs as well. They sing all their songs in German. What are they saying? Who cares, its hard-driving music that will make you move. There are sites which have their translations, but I'm into music, sound, a good beat. I could care less what they are actually saying anyway, but that's just me. They do, however, sing a song entitled Amerika, sung in English.

But back to their DVD, Volkerball. The full length concert takes place in an outdoor amipetheatre called Les Arenes de Nimes in France back in 2006. You can also see mini-clips from concerts performed in London, England; Tokyo, Japan and Moscow, Russia on the DVD as well. Leave that in your DVD player and take the CD with you in the car!!!!.

I must admit, I have never seen a performance quite like this in a very long time. (Only one other performer surpasses Rammstein and I'll get to that soon) The arena alone from the arial shot is incredible. The place was packed. Without really giving too much information (for those of you who haven't seen it yet), the visual effects are incredible. The set itself is amazing. The drummer sits above on a platform, lifts elevate the guitarists up to that level, the spaceship look of the background opens in the center which allows the band members to exit and enter the stage. Every song has its own act. Fire is the foundation to almost all of them but it's the way the fire is used for each song that makes it unique. A fire-propelled cross bow,face masks which explode fire from several band members is another, flame throwers attached to the singers arms, fire flies from drumsticks. The lighting, strobes, smoke are spectacular. A huge vat comes out from the opening at center stage and I can only think it's going to be a butcher of a song (lol) as he sings thru a butcher knife mic. But what comes out of the vat is hilarious. Everyone is constantly doing something. At one point they are all participating in a disco line dance. That you have to see. Of course there's the head banging going on in unison much like Korn but its still always awesome to watch! Something I have never seen before called a segway, carries the, shall we call him the multi-talented keyboard player around the stage . He is a trip to watch. He is definitely the hit of the show. Poor guy gets chased by the knife, hair pulled, has fired emitting out from his body, well, you just have to see the rest for yourself. And what a treat the audience gets when a band member gets up close and personal with the fans. Me, I'dve carried a pin.....

They all looked like they have been dragged out of the sewer. They are covered in dirt and I'm assuming its all bunker related as they do a lot of marching around on stage. I probably will look up all the songs' translations soon. It is what is it. But if you are looking for an energized totally entertaining band, RAMMSTEIN's Volkerball dvd is a must to own. First time i watched the dvd, I think i stood through the whole thing. It was just like being there live. I envy all those who have had a chance to see Rammstein in the United States. Who knows, maybe one day they will return. I consider Rammstein to be the modern day....