The industrial metal romanticists who comprise the sonic assault called Rammstein ["Rammstein" live, 704k QuickTime] are making an indelible impression on just about everyone who hears (and perhaps as importantly sees) them. The group has risen from East Germany, draping its iron-fisted sound in a pyrotechnic firestorm, and have taken it around the world, all without uttering a word of English.

Rammstein's recent U.S. mini-tour saw vocalist Til Lindemann bedecked in flaming chain-mail, shooting showers of sparks from his feet, and discharging a flame-thrower at the apex of each show. Perhaps more interesting though is the fact that the band was drawing diverse crowds of goths, metalheads, punks, and rock radio listeners who were drawn in by the airplay the band's single "Du Hast" has found in the States.

MTV News' Kurt Loder (who happens to speak German very well, thank you) recently interviewed Lindemann, guitarist Paul Landers, and drummer Christoph Schneider (who along with guitarist Richard Krupse, bassist Oliver Riedel, and keyboardist Flake comprise Rammstein) about the famous air disaster in Germany that inspired their name, the pitfalls of setting yourself on fire, and the band's affinity for Quentin Tarantino. They also talked about Celine Dion, Puffy, and the Spice Girls, because it just wouldn't be an MTV News story without them.

What follows is an English translation of that chat, as well as plenty of flame-broiled QuickTime video footage of the band in concert.

So come and rock, the German way.

- Click here to experience the wrath of Rammstein -

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