(Hameln, Germany) – Völkerball (the German equivalent of Dodgeball) is the name of a live recorded CD/DVD released by the Hard Metal band Rammstein in 2006. For those not familiar with them, Rammstein’s award winning live shows are renowned for their pyrotechnics and stage shows, all of which are regularly witnessed by sell out stadium crowds across mainland Europe. The majority of their songs are written in German, although they have performed in other languages including English.
Völkerball tonight, however, is something entirely different. A tribute band with a twist, in that they also play sell out concerts with a show that is as exciting and as much of a spectacle as that of their peers.
I knew I was in for a ride when I was asked to sign my life away on a waiver that basically stated if I had an accident due to the pyrotechnics I was on my own. No photo agreement, no 3 songs, just that my life was in danger! The curtain dropped and the venue literally went up in smoke. Flames, flash-bangs, lights and a pounding beat from the off. Introduction over, it was time to enter the pit. Having been instructed by ‘pyro guy’ to stick to the pit wall and not to go near the stage, I was soon butt shuffling my way to centre stage avoiding the blow torches that were hissing less than a meter from me. Having reached my spot it dawned on me that it may have been a better idea to leave my hoodie at home…..and so it continued for the next two hours.
Fantastic, I have never witnessed a show like it. At one point the keyboard player was chased around the stage by a cleaver wielding lead singer, before being stuffed into a large industrial bin and set about with a flame thrower. Admittedly, my knowledge of the Rammstein repertoire was limited, which may have been to my advantage. I couldn’t help to get caught up in the atmosphere of what was unfolding in front of me. It was also very apparent that the audience, most of whom were sporting Rammstein memorabilia, were also loving the show. A cartoon size shotgun, flaming hearts, a fiery bow, crowd-surfing in a rubber dingy and the biggest accordion ever. The madness was brilliant!
If forced to pigeon hole these guys I would say Völkerball are Germany’s equivalent to Australia’s Pink Floyd. I have now done a bit more research into Rammstein and I can see their appeal, but after witnessing their show first hand and at close range, I am definitely a Völkerballer.
I must give a special mention to Mario who took care of me and thank him for having his fire extinguisher at never more than arms length.
Völkerball are:
Vocals: René Anlauff
Guitar: Tobias Kaiser
Guitar: Marco Vetter
Keyboards: Andreas Schanowski
Bass: Tilmann Carbow
Drums: Dirk Oechsle
More ino: http://www.voelkerball.eu/en
All photos by Spike Porteous.
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No photos may be copied or used without written permission from the photographer.
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