Rammstein is a musical group created in Berlin back in 1994. Performing compositions in the industrial metal genre, the performers have created their own unique style and have collected a huge fan base around the world: 20 million copies of albums have been sold to date. The text of each of the songs is filled with stories, philosophical questions and sometimes dramatic events.
One of the most ambiguous and heartfelt albums “Rosenrot” is already the fifth on the group’s account, was born in 2005. The most provocative was the 20th single called “Mann gegen Mann”. In the literal translation, “Man against man” or in another version, “One on one.” The composition raises the sensitive topic of homosexuality. Refrenov performed by Till Lindemann sounds “Schwulah”, which comes from the German Schwuler homosexual, gay.
In an interview for Valhalla magazine, Paul Landers, the rhythm guitarist of the band, shared his motives for creating this song:
“Rammstein is a group of democratic views. We can all participate and suggest topics for songs. But often Till does this and writes about dark and gloomy things. This is also reflected in the new disc. He deals with taboo and sensitive topics, and this, of course, is his signature move. “Mann gegen Mann” is dedicated to gay people, there is no point in denying it. This is something that is very reluctant to talk about in society, so our group had to reveal it in their work. In the modern world, despite being ignored by society, homosexuality is a part of life.”
The text of the song itself is very abstract, approaching the problem both from the inside and from the outside. Very extravagant and defiant, to match the style of a musical group whose work is based on challenges to society. If you sort out the lines of the song, you will notice the magnificent imagery and metaphorical nature of the author Till Lindemann.
Wenn sich an mir ein Weib verirrt If women are wrong about me,
Dann ist die helle Welt verwirrt Then the world is in complete confusion.
At this point, the question of the ambiguity of world opinion about homosexuality is raised. Like a pendulum, society swings from one extreme to another, either prohibiting manifestations of same-sex love, or fighting with foam at the mouth for the freedom of minorities.
Mein Geschlecht schimpft mich Verräter. My gender calls me a traitor.
Ich bin der Alptraum aller Vater. I am the nightmare of all fathers.
Here is a clear disclosure of fear and rejection of such a phenomenon among the older generation, for example, parents. The “betrayal” of manhood is also similar to a barrier that prevents many from thinking critically and being tolerant of the choice of each person. In the chorus, the well-established expression “The fisherman sees the fisherman from afar” is added in a comic light, which transforms the song and does not make it moralistic, but rather indifferently narrative.
Particularly emphasizes the severity of the question asked in the song, a video clip released in February 2006. Jonas Okerlund was able to visualize most accurately the idea that was put into the text by the author. The scenes show naked male bodies, the band members themselves are also naked, there are only details of bdsm equipment: latex, belts, hairpins. The action is on the verge between an imitation of an orgy and a struggle. At the end, the vocalist turns into a dark demon of lust, which naked men worship. At the climax, everything turns into a battle, and the entity goes crazy and tears its hair out. This is how brightly and provocatively the director was able to display the aggressive challenge of the Rammstein group in the song “Mann gegen Mann”.
