Rammstein released their iconic debut album, Herzeleid, 25 years ago today. To commemorate the occasion, the band has announced a remastered anniversary edition, coming to digital platforms, CD, and vinyl on December 4th.
The album, released September 25th, 1995, was previously remastered in 2015 and finally issued as a standalone vinyl LP in 2017. The new 180-gram double LP pressing features the 2020 remastered audio, which will be available in hi-fi 24-bit formats for the first time. A single CD version, housed in a lavish cross-shaped digipak with slipcase, will also be available.
Original artwork creator Dirk Rudolph handled the anniversary edition, thankfully preserving the provocative band portrait shot by Praler. The new version has a more minimalist design, with the large flower removed, leaving the portrait in its original glory. Arguably, it better suits Rammstein’s aesthetic, the flower design being somewhat dated (it’s still on the 2017 vinyl pressing).
Herzeleid introduced the world to Rammstein, establishing all of the band’s trademarks: industrial beats, dance rhythms, blasts of guitar noise, eroticism, and the controversial lyrics and commanding vocals of frontman Till Lindemann. It would take a while for the global mainstream to come around to Rammstein, but they quickly became heroes in their home country and a beloved discovery for fans of industrial metal worldwide. The album’s debut single, “Du riechst so gut”, was a phenomenon of sorts, and the band never looked back.
Flash forward to 2020, and Rammstein are still going strong, having released an untitled album last year in addition to Lindemann also dropping a solo record. While their touring plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band is apparently already back in the studio recording new music.
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Pre-order the physical edition of the remastered Herzeleid via Rammstein’s online store or Amazon. Watch the original music video for “Du riechst so gut” and check out the updated album art and original tracklist below.
Herzeleid (XXV Anniversary Edition – Remastered) Artwork:
Herzeleid (XXV Anniversary Edition – Remastered) Tracklist:
01. Wollt ihr das Bett in Flammen sehen
02. Der Meister
03. Weisses Fleisch
04. Asche zu Asche
05. Seemann
06. Du riechst so gut
07. Das alte Leid
08. Heirate mich
09. Herzeleid
10. Laichzeit
11. Rammstein