Mutter (album)

This article is about the Rammstein album. For other uses, see Mutter (disambiguation).

Mutter (German pronunciation: [ˈmʊtɐ]; English: "Mother") is the third studio album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. It was released on 2 April 2001 through Motor and Universal Music. The album's cover image is a photograph of a dead fetus, which was taken by Daniel & Geo Fuchs. The album has yielded six singles which, to date, are the most released from any Rammstein album.

Mutter
Studio album by Rammstein
Released	2 April 2001
Recorded	May–June 2000
Studio	Miraval (Correns)
Genre	Neue Deutsche Härte industrial metal
Length	45:02
Label	Motor Universal
Producer	Jacob Hellner Rammstein
Rammstein chronology
Live aus Berlin (1999) Mutter (2001) Reise, Reise (2004)
Singles from Mutter
"Sonne" Released: 12 February 2001 "Links 2 3 4" Released: 14 May 2001 "Ich will" Released: 10 September 2001 "Mutter" Released: 25 March 2002 "Feuer frei!" Released: 14 October 2002 "Mein Herz brennt" Released: 7 December 2012

Writing and recording

From September to December 1999, the band rented the house Weimar in Heiligendamm on the Baltic Sea for pre-production. The sound recordings took place in May and June 2000 at Studio Miraval in southern France. In advance of the album's release, Rammstein released the song "Links 2 3 4" on their website for download in December 2000. The single "Sonne" was released in January 2001.

Critical reception and legacy

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Alternative Press	[2]
The Austin Chronicle	[3]
Blender	[4]
Drowned in Sound	8/10[5]
Entertainment Weekly	B+[6]
NME	5/10[7]
Rolling Stone	[8]
Spin	6/10[9]
Sputnikmusic	5/5[10]

In 2005, Mutter was ranked number 324 in Rock Hard magazine's book The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.^[11]

In a 2016 article published by uDiscover, Oran O'Beirne described the album as "one of the most important contemporary releases within heavy metal’s many subgenres."^[12]

In the interview with Noizr Zine, the well-known Swedish producer and musician Peter Tägtgren advised "Mutter" as a reference work for beginner producers:

"I think, if you are not into death metal or something like that, but if you are into metal, I would say maybe Rammstein’s "Mutter" is very good, because it has a lot of different elements, it has orchestra parts, heavy guitars, good drum sound — that could be a good reference."^[13]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Mein Herz brennt" ("My Heart Burns")	4:39
2.	"Links 2 3 4" ("Left 2 3 4")	3:36
3.	"Sonne" ("Sun")	4:32
4.	"Ich will" ("I Want")	3:37
5.	"Feuer frei!" ("Open Fire!")	3:11
6.	"Mutter" ("Mother")	4:32
7.	"Spieluhr" ("Music Box")	4:46
8.	"Zwitter" ("Hermaphrodite")	4:17
9.	"Rein raus" ("In Out")	3:09
10.	"Adios" ("Goodbye")	3:49
11.	"Nebel" ("Fog")	4:54
Total length:		45:02

All tracks are written by Rammstein

There are various editions of Mutter, each with different features:

• The Limited Tour Edition had the same cover, but red with the Rammstein logo embossed on the front. It also had a second CD with the following live tracks:

1. "Ich will" – 3:57
2. "Links 2 3 4" – 4:54
3. "Sonne" – 4:42
4. "Spieluhr" – 5:27

• The Japanese edition had "Halleluja" as a hidden track, found after "Nebel" (there is a two-minute intermission of silence). The track was later included in the Resident Evil soundtrack, but does not appear in the film.
• The limited edition had a second CD with just one track, "Halleluja", and a CD-ROM area featuring the "Sonne" video. There is a spelling error on the back album track listing: it is listed as "Hallelujah" but the bonus CD itself has the song listed as "Halleluja", which is the correct spelling.
• A 12" vinyl version and a MC version were released, with the same track list (Side A = 1–6; B = 7–11)
• The Limited Tour Edition was also released as a double cassette set, with the second cassette containing the live tracks (Side A = 1–2; B = 3–4).
• The Turkish cassette release of the album fades all songs out at 3:44.

Note: Some copies that have "Halleluja" as a hidden track can not be played for unknown reasons. On 3 April 2010 Rammstein posted a video with an official translation of "Halleluja" on their Facebook page, "in light of recent events".^[14]

Personnel

Rammstein

• Till Lindemann – vocals
• Richard Kruspe – lead guitar
• Paul Landers – rhythm guitar
• Christian Lorenz – keyboards
• Oliver Riedel – bass
• Christoph Schneider – drums

Guest musicians

• Bobo – background vocals (track 11)
• Khira Li Lindemann – vocals (track 7)
• Olsen Involtini – string arrangements (tracks 1, 6, 11)
• Orchestra parts by the Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg, conducted by Gunter Joseck

Production

• Ulf Kruckenberg – engineer
• Dirk Rudolph – sleeve design
• Daniel & Geo Fuchs – photography

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for Mutter Chart (2001) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[15] 10 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[16] 1 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[17] 7 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[18] 45 Canadian Albums (Billboard)[19] 14 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[20] 22 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[21] 4 Europe (European Top 100 Albums)[22] 2 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 7 French Albums (SNEP)[24] 23 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[25] 1 Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[26] 33 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[27] 12 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[28] 12 Polish Albums (ZPAV)[29] 4 Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[30] 9 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 2 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 1 UK Albums (OCC)[33] 86 US Billboard 200[34] 77 2023 weekly chart performance for Mutter Chart (2023) Peak position Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[35] 22 Lithuanian Albums (AGATA)[36] 3

Year-end charts Chart (2001) Position Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[37] 13 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[38] 21 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[39] 54 Europe (European Top 100 Albums)[40] 38 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[41] 3 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 37 Chart (2002) Position Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[43] 57 Chart (2019) Position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[44] 124 Chart (2021) Position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[45] 193 Chart (2022) Position Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[46] 73 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[47] 106 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[48] 83 Chart (2023) Position Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[49] 73 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[50] 117 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[51] 82

Certifications

Certifications for Mutter

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[52]	Gold	20,000*
Belgium (BEA)[53]	Gold	25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[54]	2× Platinum	40,000‡
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[55]	Gold	15,193[55]
Germany (BVMI)[56]	3× Platinum	900,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[57]	Gold	75,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[58]	Gold	40,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[59]	Gold	25,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[60]	Platinum	40,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[61]	3× Platinum	300,000^
Sweden (GLF)[62]	Gold	40,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[63]	Platinum	40,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[64]	Gold	100,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (3 April 2001). "Mutter – Rammstein". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
2. Alternative Press (6/01, p.81) - 4 out of 5 - "...Chock-full of red-faced thrills....one of the few metal albums just as suited for knocking boots in the bedroom as it is for knocking heads in the pit."
3. Gray, Christopher (11 May 2001). "Rammstein Mutter (Republic/Universal) – Music Review". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
4. Archived 10 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
5. "Album Review: Rammstein - Mutter / Releases / Releases // Drowned in Sound". Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
6. Sinclair, Tom (6 April 2001). "Mutter Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
7. Paine, Andre (26 April 2001). "Rammstein : Mutter". NME. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
8. Blashill, Pat (2 April 2001). "Rammstein: Mutter". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 7 February 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
9. Spin (5/01, pp.144-5) - 6 out of 10 - "...'SPROCKETS'-meets-James Hettfield on fire....bizarre proof that one hit weirdness out-bizarred underground high-concept time and time again..."
10. K., Simon (2 July 2015). "Rammstein - Mutter". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
11. Best of Rock & Metal - Die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten (in German). Rock Hard. 2005. p. 80. ISBN 3-89880-517-4.
12. O'Beirne, Oran (5 May 2016). "reDiscover Rammstein's 'Mutter'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
13. "Peter Tägtgren on Pain, Lindemann, Hypocrisy, and work at studio – Interview with Noizr Zine". Retrieved 16 May 2017.
14. "Halleluja / translation". Facebook. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
15. "Australiancharts.com – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
16. "Austriancharts.at – Rammstein – Mutter" (in German). Hung Medien.
17. "Ultratop.be – Rammstein – Mutter" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
18. "Ultratop.be – Rammstein – Mutter" (in French). Hung Medien.
19. "Rammstein Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
20. "Danishcharts.dk – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
21. "Dutchcharts.nl – Rammstein – Mutter" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
22. "Eurochart Top 100 Albums - 21 April 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 17. 21 April 2001. p. 12. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
23. "Rammstein: Mutter" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
24. "Lescharts.com – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
25. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
26. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2001. 16. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
27. "Charts.nz – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
28. "Norwegiancharts.com – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
29. "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
30. "Hits of the World – Spain". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 28 April 2001. p. 61. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
31. "Swedishcharts.com – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
32. "Swisscharts.com – Rammstein – Mutter". Hung Medien.
33. "Rammstein | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
34. "Rammstein Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
35. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2023. 29. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
36. "2023 21-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
37. "Jahreshitparade Alben 2001". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
38. "Jaaroverzichten 2001". Ultratop. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
39. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2001". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
40. "European Top 100 Albums 2001" (PDF). Music & Media. 22 December 2001. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
41. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
42. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
43. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2002". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
44. "Jaaroverzichten 2019". Ultratop. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
45. "Jaaroverzichten 2021". Ultratop. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
46. "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2022" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. 8 November 2019. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
47. "Jaaroverzichten 2022" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
48. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2022" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
49. "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. 8 November 2019. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
50. "Jaaroverzichten 2023" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
51. "Jahrescharts 2023 Album" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
52. "Austrian album certifications – Rammstein – Mutter" (in German). IFPI Austria.
53. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2002". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021.
54. "Danish album certifications – Rammstein – Mutter". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
55. "Rammstein" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
56. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Rammstein; 'Mutter')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
57. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Rammstein in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Mutter in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
58. "Dutch album certifications – Rammstein – Mutter" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 28 August 2019. Enter Mutter in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2001 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
59. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
60. "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2004 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
61. Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 961. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
62. "Sverigetopplistan – Rammstein" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
63. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Mutter')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
64. "British album certifications – Rammstein – Mutter". British Phonographic Industry.