Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band formed in Berlin in 1994. The band's lineup—consisting of lead vocalist Till Lindemann, lead guitarist Richard Kruspe, rhythm guitarist Paul Landers, bassist Oliver Riedel, drummer Christoph Schneider, and keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz—has remained unchanged throughout their history, along with their approach to songwriting, which consists of Lindemann writing and singing the lyrics over instrumental pieces the rest of the band has completed beforehand. Prior to their formation, some members were associated with the punk rock acts Feeling B and First Arsch.
Rammstein performing in August 2013; upper level (left to right): Oliver Riedel, Christoph Schneider, and Christian Lorenz; lower level (left to right): Paul Landers, Till Lindemann, and Richard Kruspe
Rammstein performing along with Finnish act Apocalyptica in 2005
Rammstein performing at the Gold Coast Big Day Out in 2011
Rammstein playing "Engel" in Madison Square Garden in New York City, December 2010
Neue Deutsche Härte, sometimes abbreviated as NDH, is a subgenre of rock music that developed in Germany and Austria during the early-to-mid 1990s and early 2000s. Alluding to the style of Neue Deutsche Welle, the term was coined by the music press after the 1995 release of the German rock and metal band Rammstein's first studio album Herzeleid.
Rammstein on stage at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, 2004