The Berlin-based hard rock band Rammstein have done it again. This sixth man outfit have released what may be their most controversial video yet. Directed by Specter Berlin, the cinematic and expensive video for "Deutschland" has already garnered 7 million views and plenty of criticism. It's certainly disturbing, yet visually stunning -- a tribute to their homeland of Germany and some of the atrocities committed by said homeland throughout the ages. The video's message wrestles with the pain of separation and the feeling of coming to terms with such a divisive past. No doubt lead singer Till Lindemann has directed his conflicted feelings about his homeland in the chorus. Here's the translation of those lyrics:
"Germany / My heart in flames
Want to love you / want to damn you
Germany / Your breath is cold
So young / And yet so old
Germany / your love
Is boon and bane
Germany / my love
I can't give you
Germany!"
There are some very heavy and graphic scenes that depict some of the brutalities committed by Germany throughout the ages. One in particular has been condemned by Germany's Jewish leaders who've accused the band of trivializing The Holocaust. Felix Klein, Germany's commissioner for anti-semitism, said: "I think it is a tasteless exploitation of artistic freedom."
In the 30-second teaser video that was released before the entire video, the band members are seen dressed in stripped concentration camp uniforms with nooses around their necks. But later in the song, lead guitarist Richard Kruspe dressed in a Nazi uniform gets shot in the face by vocalist Till Lindemann, who is in one of those concentration camp victims.
The video was
Rammstein's 7th album will be released on May 17. It's their first new album in 10 years. You can pre-order it here.