Although currently holding the number two slot on the Billboards of European Albums Chart, German “dance metal” band Rammstein’s newest album Liebe ist Für Alle Da (Love is For All) has been banned from public display in German stores.
I was determined that Liebe ist Für Alle Da contained depictions of sadism and masochism, both which have been deemed in Germany to be harmful to children and young adults.
“The new Rammstein album has been placed in the restricted list,” Rammstein wrote on their Facebook page in response to the ban. “This means that the album is now only available [in Germany] under the counter. If you want to buy the album [in Germany], make sure that you take proof of your age with you when you go to the retailer of your trust.”
The deputy president of the Federal Office for the Examination of Media Harmful to Young People, Petra Meier, disapproved of not only the lyrics of the track Ich tu Dir Weh (I Want to Hurt You), but also the artwork that was associated with the track. Meier and the Federal Office for the Examination of Media Harmful to Young People were also critical of the track entitled Pussy claiming that it incites listeners to engage in unprotected sex despite the risk of AIDS. However the track Pussy and their critical thoughts of it were not officially a part of the ruling to ban the album.
The decision will took effect when it was officially published on Wed. Nov. 11, 2009. From Oct. 11, when the album was released, until Nov. 11 Rammstein’s album Liebe ist Für Alle Da was able to be retailed in German stores.
In Germany alone Liebe ist Für Alle Da made number one in sales, selling over 200,000 copies of the alum and went platinum in the process. In the United States Liebe ist Für Alle Da entered the Billboard charts at number 13 and ranked number 16 in the United Kingdom on Oct. 25.
The album also toped charts in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Finland and the Netherlands. Liebe ist Für Alle Da held number two in France, number three in Sweden and Belgium and number 4 in Portugal. In Austria and Finland Liebe ist Für Alle Da has gone platinum and in France, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium the album has gone gold.
Since launching their career in Berlin in 1995, Rammstein has made much commotion with their eight albums which have touched on subject matter such as sadomasochism, homosexuality, abuse, incest, necrophilia, cannibalism and sexual violence.
The bands tour in Germany has also fallen victim to the restrictions. Live performances of the song Ich tu Dir Weh have been banned in Germany under the same ruling according to Billboard.com, and any violation could be potentially punished under German law.
Since 2007 131 albums have been placed on the restricted list in Germany, according to the statistics office, 116 of the 131 albums were placed on the list in 2008 and it is estimated that so far in 2009 as many as 966 albums have made the restricted list.
What do fans think?Fans began to express their feelings about the ban at Metal Underground.com stating:
DeathCrush wrote: “I am a strong advocate of musical expression without censorship. Let the burden be placed on the parents, not the industry.”
Greyback wrote: “The new CD is awesome in my opinion, lots of variety and this little ban is not going to help, seeing as the Internet exists and if you wanted to order just go to the million online stores!”
Jamez wrote: “I’m a bit surprised by these news. As someone who lives 90% in Berlin, there’s hardly been anything that major mentioned in the press, apart from the usual ‘Oh no, Rammstein again, yack!’ stiffos. On the other hand, Rammstein has literally be under the magnifying glass of the German censors ever since Buch Dich.”
Fuzzypg wrote: “Federal Office for the Examination of Media Harmful to Young People… seriously? Oh come on! They are just like Type’o, none of it is to be taken seriously, just poking fun at how ludicrous we as a species really are! Don’t these do-gooders realize they’re simply playing right into the bands hands? Well done though, should raise sales when little Johnny wants to find out what all the fuss is about!”
Rychemn wrote: “This should come as no surprise to anyone… Metal music will always be under the microscope… people are always afraid of thinks they don’t understand.”
What do you think? Comment and let your voice be heard.
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