Mutter Interview CD

*Mutter Interview CD*
Mutter Interview CD
Interview by Rammstein
Released:	2001
Label:	Universal
Discogs:
Rammstein interview release chronology
Rammstein interview release chronology

Mutter Interview CD is a promotional interview CD released in conjunction with the album Mutter by Rammstein. It was released in 2001 in Europe.

Information

The CD contains 40 answers by Oliver Riedel and Flake to corresponding interview questions which are written on the inside of the CD's paper booklet.

Questions

Below are all of the questions asked by the interviewer.

1. The new album, "Mutter", was released internationally on April 2nd 2001, and went straight to the top of the charts in four European countries; does this record represent a fresh chapter in Rammstein's history, or is it more a continuation of the last two studio outings, "Herzeleid" and "Sehnsucht"?

2. Are there any particular tracks on the new album that you think will surprise fans of Rammstein?

3. Having lived with the new songs for a while now, I would say that there are lots of different colours on this record; there's a more varied approach to the rhythm tracks, and perhaps the vocal style too. But are there certain elements that need to be retained no matter what?

4. Speaking of different things, the song "Spieluhr" appears to feature a child's voice - or what sounds like a child's voice, anyway - plus a melody at the end that could be taken from a "spaghetti western"!

5. Including "Spieluhr", the new album features 11 songs altogether; is there another one that you'd particularly like to talk about?

6. The title of the new album relates directly to one of the other tracks; is "Mutter" a song of particular significance?

7. With Rammstein's album sales currently well over the four million mark worldwide, "Mutter" - the album - has obviously been getting a lot of attention from day one; would you say that it's a more commercial record than its predecessors?

8. You worked on the new album for quite some time, which obviously brought you very close to the music. Do you sometimes find it hard to take a step back and judge what you've achieved?

9. "Sehnsucht" track "Du hast" was something of a breakthrough release for the band in terms of international profile; does this kind of success add to the pressure when it comes to going back into the studio?

10. In Europe, "Sonne" was the first single to be released from the new album; is there a specific story behind this track?

11. Which are the songs on "Mutter" that you're especially looking forward to playing when you start the European tour on May 13th?

12. Some of the best known songs in your live set - tracks such as "Asche zu Asche" and "Rammstein" itself - have certain visual effects to back them up. Presumably, you#ve been working on fresh ideas for the new material...

13. All of the tracks on the new album have been produced by Jacob Hellner, who you've worked with in the studio since the very start - did you think about bringing in some "fresh blood" this time around? An American producer, perhaps?

14. Did you consider using any English phrases on this record, perhaps the odd word here or there, or were you keen for the lyrics to be solely in German?

15. Looking back for a moment, why did you decide to work with Jacob Hellner on the first "Herzeleid" album?

16. Had you heard Jacob's work on the first Clawfinger album, "Deaf Dumb Blind"?

17. The mixing engineer on "Mutter", Stefan Glaumann, is a new face, however; what difference do you think he has made to the sound of Rammstein?

18. Would you say that this record is more "organic" in sound than the previous two studio albums?

19. "In the past, the band has recorded at studios in Sweden and Malta, but this time around - as already mentioned - you relocated to the legendary Miraval Studios in South-Eastern France, which is where Pink Floyd recorded "The Wall"; what was it like spending time in a place with such a fantastic rock 'n' roll reputation?

20. Before going into Miraval, did you get the chance to play any of the album material live?

21. And late last July, the band made its first-ever live appearance in Japan at Fuji Rock Festival; what was that experience like?

22. Rammstein is very well known for using fire onstage - were you able to have this as part of the show in Japan?

23. I understand there were certain shows in North America where you couldn't use fire as well, so presumably, you're used to that situation cropping up now and again...

24. And when you visited Japan for the Fuji festival, did you get a chance to see that country, or are your memories more to do with the inside of hotels and concert halls?

25. You also played shows in South America with KISS back in April 1999; do you enjoy traveling to new countries and breaking new ground?

26. Songs such as "Asche zu Asche" and "Rammstein" have become closely linked with your "fire & brimstone" stageshow; because of this, is being on tour with Rammstein quite a dangerous occupation? Have you ever had to suffer for your art?

27. Over the years, the band's onstage performances have sometimes brought you into conflict with authority figures, especially in America. Why do you think this is?

28. I understand that at a Halloween show in Washington DC your performance was stopped quite early on. Can you tell us what happened?

29. Is there a particular message that Rammstein is keen to put across, or is it purely and simply about the music?

30. Does the fact that the band is from Berlin in Germany rather than, say, Los Angeles, New York or London give the music a different feel?

31. So would you say, then, that Rammstein is a German rock band, rather than just a rock band?

32. Is it fair to say that right from the very beginning you've always tried to do things your own way, to be different?

33. But has this individual approach been part of your game plan from the start? If someone was doing a certain thing did you automatically want to do something different?

34. Some bands have just a single creative force in their ranks, but with Rammstein it seems as though all six of you have an equal chance to express yourselves; is this what gives you your distinctive edge, all the different musical influences and ideas?

35. So, if someone from the band wanted to leave, would it no longer be Rammstein?

36. Back to "Mutter" to round things off; now that you've finally completed the new record and it's been released and is up there in the charts, do you feel relieved or excited? What's your main emotion?

37. Is it difficult for you to loosen your grip on the album, to let other people start having an opinion?

38. Do you read the reviews of your records when they're published? Are you interested in what the critics have to say?

39. When you've sold as many albums as Rammstein has, is it hard to keep in touch with the expectations of your fans, given that there are now so many of them in so many different countries?

40. With a band like Rammstein, that is strong both visually and musically, a complete package, it's often the case that the fans are more dedicated than most. Do you feel that this gives you an added responsibility?

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