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1995 studio album by Rammstein From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Herzeleid (German pronunciation: [ˈhɛɐ̯t͡səlaɪ̯t]; "Heartbreak") is the debut studio album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein, first released on 25 September 1995 via Motor Music.[1]
Herzeleid | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 25 September 1995 | |||
Recorded | 1995 | |||
Studio | Polar Studios, BomKrash (Stockholm) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 49:22 | |||
Label | Motor | |||
Producer |
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Rammstein chronology | ||||
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Singles from Herzeleid | ||||
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US version cover | ||||
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After signing up with Motor Music, the band was instructed to search for a producer, a position they didn't even know about since it wasn't usual in East Germany. They first suggested Bob Rock and Rick Rubin, but the label asked them to be less ambitious. The role was ultimately assigned to Jacob Hellner, known for his work with Clawfinger.[1]
Guitarist Richard Kruspe recalls the band's struggle during their time in Stockholm, Sweden, where the album was recorded at Polar Studios and Hellner's own studio, BomKrash. Because there wasn't a language that both members and producer could speak, the band couldn't properly express their disapproval of the way Hellner was making them sound. This was solved with the help of Dutch engineer Ronald Prent, who served as a middleman between Rammstein and Hellner.[1]
It took them seven days to finish the first song, due to the band's constant disapproval of Hellner's and Prent's inputs. In a 2019 interview to Metal Hammer Prent said every time there was a decision to be made, the members would host what he called a "German Conference" – outdoor meetings that could last from ten minutes to two hours until all six members reached an agreement.[1] Despite the minor setback, Hellner continued to work with Rammstein for 14 years, producing five more albums until 2009's Liebe ist für alle da.
The first song written for this album was "Rammstein", which was also the first song ever written by the band. The last song to be written was most likely "Asche zu Asche" since it was not played at their concerts in 1994, unlike all the other songs. A few songs were written in English before they were translated into German. There are also songs from that era that did not make it onto the album, including:
The album's title translates as "heartbreak", and it reflects personal problems that every band member was going through around the time of the album's preparation, particularly Kruspe and vocalist Till Lindemann, who were breaking up with their respective girlfriends.[1]
The original cover caused controversy when it was originally revealed. It shows the band topless and sweaty. The press said Rammstein depicted themselves in this image as "Herrenmenschen".[7] Guitarist Kruspe said: "Das ist völliger Quatsch, das ist einfach nur ein Foto" ("Totally stupid. It's just a photo"). He did however express his embarrassment in 2016 saying that the band looked "gay...like an ad for a gay porno film."[8] Lindemann added, that it was a quick shot on a parking lot somewhere in Berlin. North American versions had a different cover, consisting of the band members' faces from the inside of the original booklet, placed side by side.
Rammstein's first commercial logo was made for Herzeleid by Dirk Rudolph.[9] This variation uses a thinner "T" character than what is used in later logos.
In 2005, Herzeleid was ranked number 303 in Rock Hard magazine's book of The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.[14]
Kruspe reflected in 2016 saying it was not among his favorite albums:
I don't listen back to the record now at all. No. And I don't think it's one of our best albums – not even close. It was a very painful time for all of us. Imagine going through all the personal shit we'd had, and then having a hard time getting the music out. They do say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and in a way I am glad to have gone through so much. When you face up to the sort of crises that I was having in my personal life – which led to me starting Rammstein in the first place – then you learn lessons from these, you admit where you've gone wrong, and you try to put things right. So, I have to say there were some good reasons to be grateful to Herzeleid.[8]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Wollt ihr das Bett in Flammen sehen" ("Do You Want to See the Bed in Flames?") | 5:17 |
2. | "Der Meister" ("The Master") | 4:08 |
3. | "Weisses Fleisch" ("White Flesh") | 3:35 |
4. | "Asche zu Asche" ("Ashes to Ashes") | 3:51 |
5. | "Seemann" ("Sailor") | 4:48 |
6. | "Du riechst so gut" ("You Smell So Good") | 4:49 |
7. | "Das alte Leid" ("The Old Sorrow") | 5:44 |
8. | "Heirate mich" ("Marry Me") | 4:44 |
9. | "Herzeleid" ("Heartbreak") | 3:41 |
10. | "Laichzeit" ("Spawning Time") | 4:20 |
11. | "Rammstein" | 4:25 |
Total length: | 49:22 |
All tracks are written by Rammstein
Writing, performance and production credits are adapted from the album liner notes.[15]
Rammstein*
* Members are not mentioned, just the band's name instead.
Production
Visual art
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[29] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[30] | 2× Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] 2020 Remastered version |
Silver | 60,000‡ |
Summaries | ||
Europe (IFPI)[32] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
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