Experiencing a Rammstein show is not like any other. The “Made In Germany 1995-2001″ tour was held last night at The Honda Center in Anaheim where the German industrial metal band creates a Mad Max world where the audience is involved the entire time. This is not for the timid. This is for the one who wants to get lost in Rammstein’s world of chaos with a hint of S&M and dark humor. And apparently, the American version of this tour is toned down.

The show commences with a bridge slowly lowered right above the GA pit area. A smaller stage is then raised behind it with the the six masculine, well-toned and “in character” musicians on board. Holding Rammstein and California flags, the men are lead by ghostly-looking bassist Ollie Riedel carrying a torch as if going into battle across to the main stage where the music begins – - the very loud and thunderlike music that has everyone at full attention.

Frontman Till Lindemann is a pyrotechnics expert and is constantly either throwing, breathing or wearing fire. There is also quite a bit of “Till-Hammering” going on. Each member plays an important part of the provocative and seductive atmosphere. Poor Christian “Flake” Lorenz was either constantly on a moving platform at keyboards, on a raft across the crowd or almost burned in a cauldron by Lindemann during “Mein Tei.”

While 99% of the crowd couldn’t sing along because the lyrics are in German, all heads were moving up and down and a few excitables sans shirts, moshed away. However, during “Du hast,” all voices were heard. Lead guitarist Richard Kruspe appeared on the B-stage alone at the keyboards while the rest of the men came back crawling on their knees with leashes around their necks pulled by drummer Christoph “Doom” Schneider in drag, whipping them along.

For the last song, Lindemann straddled a large penis canon, which shot out white foam across the entire GA crowd. And they loved every minute of it. Photos by Debi Del Grande

Setlist:
Intro
Sonne
Wollt ihr das Bett in Flammen sehen?
Keine Lust
Sehnsucht
Asche zu Asche
Feuer frei!
Mutter
Mein Tei
Du riechst so gut
Links 2-3-4
Du hast
Haifisch
B-Stage:
Bück dich
Mann gegen Mann
Ohne dichFirst Encore:
Mein Herz brennt
Amerika
Ich will
Second Encore:
Engel
Pussy