MUSIC DIRECTOR REACTS | Rammstein - Angst (Official Video)

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

KZbin Friends: I know I missed a lot of deep meaning and messaging in this video in this first viewing. For ME to internalize and understand what is what is being communicated I need to see it a few times and sit back and really think about it. *EDIT - After reading your comments with details all I can say is wow this really went over my head. Thank you for the elaboration and help on the understanding. Very sad and powerful messaging.

[@mbx6823]

do you know that YT can translate your subtitles???

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

@@mbx6823 Yeah I just didnt have it on for this one. My mistake

[@dasSofa]

if you missed a lot meaning in this one, you should react to "Rammstein - Deutschland". I am german and i got almost lost in all this history stuff in Deutschland.

[@schtreg9140]

Austrian here (so a German native speaker) and I know I'm late to the party, but this is the way I understand the video/lyrics: Schwarzer Mann literally translates to black man but it's also the German equivalent of "boogeyman". That's just a fact, not an interpretation (yet). The lyrics address how we were raised with the fear of the boogeyman which can be associated with the fear of the unknown. I think on a first, immediate level the song is supposed to make you think of African/black refugees coming to Europe's shores - that's why we see the shot of the woman with her child in the very beginning. Till is playing a demagogue (politician or media person) who stirs up fear of the boogeymen (the refugees), a fear we've been trained to have deep within us. He slowly gets society to build walls and arm themselves. In America, this would literally be Trump's wall. In Europe, it would be walls like in Melilla, the Spanish exclave in North Africa. Just the other day, over 20 people died there in an attempt to cross the Spanish-Moroccan border. We also see the more society is spooked by the demagogue (through TV, newspapers and social media - all present in the video), the more aggressive they become and eventually end up shooting at each other (when they all shoot at the center of the circle). Just this week there's been a mass shooting in Norway (Europe) and Washington (US). The demagogue gets visibly more unhinged and powerful. At the end we see society watching the refugees on the screen while eating a certain snack. The snack are Schokoküsse (choco kisses, look them up). In the not so distant past, they were called "Negerküsse" which is German for n-word kisses. I don't know if that's just a reference or has a deeper meaning (we watch black people on TV and even name our products after them but we don't want the boogeymen close to us?). Right after, we see the (refugee) mother watch the scene on her smartphone. Many people in real life embark on the dangerous journey from sub-Saharan Africa to Germany/Europe, because they inform themselves on social media about countries with better living conditions. She might not like everything she sees on the screen, but she knows that her kid would have a better life in that country, hence why she's on the journey to begin with. Finally, on a second and a bit deeper level, I think the actual boogeyman of the song is the demagogue. Notice how the refugees look perfectly normal and human while he is some grotesque figure whose face gets more and more distorted the more fanatical he gets? He's also in a straitjacket, implying that the loudest voices talking about things like the refugee crisis are often the most insane and paranoid people and they suck us into their paranoia (like how they are glued to the screens). It's also interesting to me how society (the cheerleaders for example) get uglier the longer the song goes on. The boogeyman makes society ugly. He turns us into the real monsters that we pretend we are afraid of. Now this might be a stretch but I think colour also plays a role: Almost the entire video is in black and white. Society is kinda dull and void of emotion, a bit addicted to (social) media like you picked up on and implied in your reaction. The only times we get colours are in the beginning with the red food that the ugly men are eating, sometimes in the video when the boogeyman appears in red or makes certain things look red and in the end when they smash their screen and turn their back on all the media fear mongering. I think red might symbolize fear in the video. So the ugly figures in the beginning who are eating something red are the real boogeymen/demagogues feasting on our fear. In the end when the screens are smashed, society returns to a more sane mix of emotions and the normal colour scheme is restored. Red is still part of it (on their clothes for example) because it's reasonalbe to be afraid from time to time, but it's not the predominant emotion anymore. I hope this makes sense. None of this is official of course and just what I gathered from watching it a few times. Especially the last paragraph might be extremely off and is just my theory on the more cryptic elements of the video.

[@reuschle]

Great interpretation. Thanks

[@chaxinitus]

As an American, I definitely felt the callouts toward American Xenophobia watching this the first time (and reading the lyrics) - a lot of the imagery near the beginning (The short fences, mowing with the friendly wave, the "idyllic" hometown cheerleaders, etc) scream the "good ol' days" mentality that rots in some of the older American generations, and the lyrics very much felt like an extreme tongue in cheek given events over the last... well the entire history of the US to be perfectly frank, but especially how visible the last decade or so has been, with George Floyd's murder sparking protests over seas. It's interesting and enlightening to see an overseas perspective and realize this can also be a much broader critique than I had first read it as, especially the point you bring up regarding the snack at the end. Is that imagery similar in the EU and American Centrism is getting the better of me, or is that primarily a depiction of 50's America like I had presumed?

[@CaptainStuhlgang420]

Well explained! Hut ab!

[@schtreg9140]

@@chaxinitus the imagery also reminded me more of American suburbia especially with the cheerleaders and (of course) the guns! But in some aspects (clothes, BBQ, the waving/behaviour in general...) the guys could have also fit very well into the German stereotype of rural/small town "Spießbürgertum" which you might find in many central European countries including Austria. So, no, I don't think you suffered from American centrism here :) I saw the same thing you did. From an online dictionary for Spießbürgertum: As a bourgeois or a philistine, narrow-minded persons are characterized as being demeaning, characterized by mental immobility, marked conformity with social norms, and aversion to changes in the habitual environment. PS: Sorry for the late response!

[@Nasserhund53]

I think you captured a lot of notions here. Overall - in my opinion and in addition to what you said - this is a piece about nation building and propaganda. The imagery is very much invoking german fascism. The colours (red, white, and black) are the former colours of germany and also of nazi germany. In the same vein, the circle on the demagogue's podium and the circular area the citizens start defending, have a shape that comes close to nazi iconography. Even more clear, the opening shot of this area shows the citizens with their lawnmowers with their left hand extended. If you mirror this image it is very close to the nazi salute (although it is a bit of a stretch). We see enforced conformity, in which 'others' are to be eradicated (historically and today still we can see this in every society) which culminates in the citizens going along with the hateful message of fear of the 'other' (aka 'der schwarze Mann'). The scene with the sweets - in my opinion - just highlights how we learn and keep consuming a status quo without questioning the deeper meanings behind it. You can apply this to why we still shop at stores that are clearly tied to human rights abuses (such as child labor and sweat shops in the developing world) or why we are breeding and genetically modify animals to consume them by the millions every day after horrifically murdering them. Out of sight, out of mind. And it gets really fucked once the people who were blissfully ignorant start enjoying some form of righteousness from exploiting and murdering the weak bc their ideology tells them it is the right thing to do (think of colonialist rethoric of 'civilizing' the rest of the world). once people reach the mindset of dehumanizing/subhumanizing the 'other' you will always be liable to become the monsters that are depicted in this music video. The only way out is to break the cycle. critically examine what you have learned in your life and what you were taught. Smashing the television with a lawnmower to me suggests how individual action is not enough. afterwards the colour returns, but it is only a first step that can easily be reversed. This can be seen in the person who smashed the tv just sitting back down and still eating the Schokokuss with the others. none of this is strictly german, rather it is a white European thing (and beyond that a human thing), which is captured in some parts by heavily stylized german imagery. I hope this all made sense and is helpful to tackle this topic, bc it has many layers which kind of go back all the way to the start of civilization: the point when neighbours started not knowing and (therefore) mistrusting their next door neighbours.

[@Swollen_Goat]

In my 22 years of listening to this band, they have yet to disappoint me with any release. Been doing this for decades and they only continue to get better which is crazy. Their last two albums are straight perfection song to song.

[@LumiLupo]

about the black men- boogieman confusion: the cheerleaders and the men in the circle are a fingerpoint towards america since those stereotypes dont really exist over here.. (+the only black people in the beginning and the end of the video, who the red-sleeved men dont want to see suffering) and for america this can sadly be taken very literally but the song is criticizing the fear mongering (the fear is brought to them through the red cables into their heads coming from a crazy leader in the tv, also they hella love their guns and build walls)

[@Superrobil]

(Copy & pasted from other reaction-comment I previously made) Just some remarks: The several times mentioned "Schwarze Mann" ("black man") is known as a child fright figure in the German-speaking area ("Wer hat Angst vorm Schwarzen Mann" = Who does fear the black man). Depending on the region and time, it was understood to mean different beings: a dark shadowy figure or a man dressed in black. As a metaphor, the "bogeyman" reached a "peak" as personalization of evil, savagery, and the unknown in the course of colonization, and in the process also acquired a racist connotation. In this context, I find the consumption of those sweets (German so-called "negro kisses") at the end during the end credits very interesting, which work through this "black man" symbolism. Also the colors usage is interesting (Black/White/Red representing the Nazi-color Spectrum). I also found it interesting at the end of the credits that when the TV was destroyed, the color came back into the picture. Further, I noticed that the pie-like plots seen from above correspond to the "political symbol" at the lectern where the singer, wearing a straitjacket, gives his speech. After these borders & plots collapse during the wild shoot-out, the politician, unleashed by the straitjacket to spread his propaganda/fear. Cheering on the cheerleaders is the equivalent of pitching an idea/product and the dancers are slammed with money to sell the bricks and guns to the landowners. This Clip has many layers and can be interpreted in many directions. I see there is a statement on xenophobia and populism/media

[@pantheriaphoenixe4572]

its not 100% right, the song is about fear and the black man is also an symbol for the death. The people try to distract yourself from death by medias and so on. The politics work with this fear (thebricks/the guns...). We try to defense us for everyones coming end (the circle around the poor people and the rammstein band). And poor people have a smartphone too and seeing media.

[@pantheriaphoenixe4572]

when you look exactly in the video, you can see that the computers have the tubes that ending in the bodys from the dark disguise from Rammstein. In the scene where they have the cheerleaders in the back. In the other scene you can see that the computers suck there head inside.

[@BallisticAero]

Love the set up man. Also really glad you're looking into this group. Absolutely immaculate with their video and sound production, more than "just a metal band", they are teachers and thinkers for sure

[@pipkin5287]

If you're into Rammstein's sound, i highly recommend "Dicke Titten"! The messages in it are both in your face and subtle at the same time. Such a hilarious music video too!

[@Ashley-hc6bs]

The lyrics crack me up 😂😂😂😂. But amazing sound as usual.

[@dimitrasotirakoglou2553]

Every Rammstein production is an incredible form of Art. Welcome to our world, where synth met industrial metal and formed a bond like no other.. Ps:Rammstein are slapping hard since 1994,i was in middle school then hahaha Enjoy mate and thank you

[@D-ragon-S]

NO! , You don't need to talk just about the music throughout your videos. It gives us a lot more substance if you talk about yourself, your life and how things effect you with the music. That is what we want to hear and that is what's going to grow your channel. Much Love to you and Ukraine 🌻🌻🌻💙💛💙

[@leviatta]

French/German guy here, and following this band since their first album. You asked at the end of the video what Rammstein are eating. It's called "SchokoKuss" (litteraly "Chocolate Kiss") , but untill the 70's-80's, it got another name.... A bit offensive nowadays I would say. Wikipedia that, and you'll know what I mean...

[@ballerdonk]

This sounds like my wife yelling at me when I mixed the hot and cold laundry.

[@moedef7071]

I bet he sounds like that

[@lucabaracuda987]

i cant GET ENUFFF of the beggining of this song..... and seems like im not alone

[@Adamax93]

The entire album for Zweit is phenomenal. It’s my album of the year so far

[@DaShap]

Deutschland would be next by them. It's epic, it's produced as a movie. Amazing song and visuals.

[@shawncalhoun1363]

The biggest thing about Rammstein, and especially Til is that it's not just a song but a story, he always presents these songs from a story teller's perspective. And you have to read further into it than it's "literal" translation. It literally translates to "Black man" although the cultural understanding is boogeyman, but you will notice the immigrants in concertina wire in the opening scenes, as well as the closing scenes... He's using the cultural boogeyman to represent the literal "black man" to talk about views of immigration, especially from northern Africa and the middle east. And what they're eating... It was called "Moor's head" last century, much like some in the US called Brazil nuts "N***er toes"

[@miztazed]

Nice reaction. As a German I try to explain my opinion of this song, video and symbolism in it. I think it critisises the refugee wave from 2015. All was good. We lived our life, lawning the gras in our yard, chilling and grilling. We saw the suffer and pain just on tv and social media and no one cares 'cause it was far far away. Then the wave started and more and more refugees came. Many leading politics (like Trump) said "built a wall to protect yourself". And injected the poison into the people who believed them. The media like facebook, twitter, TV played a big role in this game to brainwash people. That's why the Rammstein members were sucked in their monitors and Till destroys the last existing TV with his lawnmower to say "Shut the F**k up we do not have to be afraid of black mans (boogieman). And now let us enjoy our "Negerkuss" (Negrokiss, Dickmanns) and don't be afraid of people who look not like us. And at least they use in the intro the famous fan shout of the island football fans "Huh". kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioWriqWteLudpKs

[@LumiLupo]

völlig lost

[@siimarigaming]

Rammstein American stadium tour will start soon (in a month) so go see them live! Rammstein Official website has dates and places for that :)

[@peekaboosue]

Ich liebe Rammstein und Till Lindemann für immer 😍💖 please react to more Rammstein

[@stephenmiller195]

Awesome song and vid, Rammstein are masters best imo, educated marine is one for subtitles, thanks 🙏

[@ScandinavianHeretic]

I speak both Danish, English and basic German and in short, this just being my view of course, you are on track regarding meaning. It is a song about all the negativity and division caused as a direct result of, not just regular news media, but online media in particular, it sucks us in and we perceive a reality of misery and injustice day in and day out, we hear nothing but the ways in which the boogie man is coming to get us, ("Schwartze man" literally "the black man", but in contextual meaning "boogie man") and we forget each other, we live in fear and fear makes us all irrational, unable to trust one another. Deep division, suspicion and hatred sets in more and more, and if we don't stop it in time then all communication breaks down, and then we fight. I'm not too sure on the conclusion but everything being shot to pieces in this theatrical way, swirling out of control into the abyss, taking them with it - well it seems cataclysmic to me, self destructive even.

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

Thank you for the great comment.

[@music2seeconcertphotograph457]

Here are the English lyrics taken from "Lyrics Translate": (Du) (Du) (Du) (Du) (Du) (Du) When the children are uneducated Even the father threatened Bogeyman, he'll get you If you don't follow my command And we believe that to this day The country and its people are so scared Something bad is about to happen Evil comes, will not go And the fear grows in the night Door and gates are guarded Backs wet, hands clammy Everyone is afraid of the Bogeyman (Du) In darkness, he sneaks up If you're not good, he'll touch you Don't trust strangers, then So much nightmare, so much madness And so we believe to this day The pack is heavily armed Oh they can't let it go Scream fire in the alleys And the fear grows in the night Not a wink at all Back wet, hands clammy Everyone is afraid of the Bogeyman (Du) (Du) (Du) Who is afraid of the Bogeyman Who is afraid of the Bogeyman Who is afraid of the Bogeyman Who's scared And the fear grows in the night Not a wink at all Back wet, hands clammy41 Everyone is afraid (Du) (Du) Bogeyman (Du) (Du) Bogeyman lyricstranslate.com/en/angst-fear.html-10

[@davidmarkwort9711]

Chocolate covered marshmallows, really crispy choc with a marshmallow on a thick wafer

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

TY! I was like WTF am I seeing/hearing here

[@stefanstock953]

@@DrumRollTonyReacts hi, Germany again 😊..it's again a little hidden allusion/refference from Rammstein, as so often. Way back in time those german candy brand were called 'NegerKüsse', (translate: 'NegroKisses' ). Serious, no joke...and of course, later, the candy company had to change the name. To 'SchokoKüsse'..'ChocolateKisses'

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

@@stefanstock953 Learning a lot today. I'm glad they changed it

[@stefanstock953]

@@DrumRollTonyReacts yes, i'm glad too🤣...another refference are the colors in the video. Black, White, Red...Back in the 'Nazi Time' the german 'Reichstag' flag, and also the 'Hakenkreuz' flag, were in those colors. Some idiots of course will come up with:" See, Rammstein are Nazi's, Rechtsradikal..." Bullshit. It's a refference to the stupid fear of strangers, foreigners that some peoples still have. Mothafakker Adolf had those fears...and i don't have to tell you how that ends, right. Rammstein always remembering us to never forget such horrorble events in many songs. Tabu issues wich nobody dare to sing/speaks about. What is totaly wrong. Those things are real and important. Rammstein have the balls to write those songs. I love and respect Rammstein for that...

[@NiniveKha]

@@stefanstock953 Here in Brazil it was called "Teta de Nega", instead of kisses ... breast.😳

[@Io-Io-Io]

The lyrics are an integral part with Rammstein. Should not be missed

[@MatthewBousumonline]

In our experience as Americans or other native English speakers the word Angst means anger or close to it. In its original form especially in Germanic it means FEAR

[@KrisThroughGlass]

You really need to check out Rammstein live. They have probably the most crazy live shows ever. Greetings from Germany

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

Hello to Germany 🇩🇪 👋

[@dedertitick]

If you like high impact visuals and drum heacy music, I recommend you to take a look at Woodkid - Volcano, or Woodkid - Goliath whose back drums really remind me of your intro

[@muscleboypa]

Huge Rammstein fan ..... this is "The Boogeyman" is coming for you, "who is the blackman". Take what you want from this, just reality. One of their most incredible videos ever! Can't wait to see them live in Philly end of Aug.

[@johanneswarn5488]

The drummer Christoph has two hihats, one to the left and one to the right, he had always had it that way. They are not that far up front on his regular kits so it’s most likely just to be able to play it standing up for the music video

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

Oooo thank you! It caught my eye

[@music2seeconcertphotograph457]

Parts of this song always give me "Eisbrecher"-vibes with their song "Amok".

[@annaricci4686]

Rammstein 🔥❤

[@jaredheynig197]

i think they've been spending like a million almost on each of their videos after the Deutschland video since I think the video cost almost more than a million dollars in us terms of production it doesn't hurt them since they are getting like almost a hundred or more of views in almost within a day of release so they are probably not hurting on money along with there revenue from there cd sales along with the concerts as well so i doubt much is lost compared to the gain of there productivity i would think

[@herzeleidknits]

Well you earned a subscriber. Rammstein and Dimash! Add in some Stray Kids (I suggest Thunderous or God's Menu) and you'll have all 3 of my faves. Also their video "Zeit" will make you question the meaning of life. It's seriously beautiful. This song is about how we're taught to fear the "other" or outsiders and how all of our media teaches us to close ourselves off

[@Aceofswe]

I really like your reaction videos on Rammstein and would love to see you react to their music video Zeit!

[@MrProthall]

Bring the color = nuance back to your life.

[@ovuvuevuevueenyetuenwuevu]

Let's put it simple. It's about racism and how those xenophobic views get fed into our brains

[@antivanti]

Another amazing video and song by Rammstein you should check out is Deutschland

[@Wonkoification]

Some messages you could catch up. I suggest to get the subtitles (english) to get a proper understanding and reaction quality.

[@danwalker7472]

Check out live Tool, Danny Carey drum cam for the song Pneuma. A lot to unpack on that one.

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

Ohh sweet. Thank you

[@iatz626]

they eat Schokokuss xD Greetings from Germany =)

[@JakobFischer60]

You can switch the subtitles to english now.

[@glaubercandidopita]

React One Sweet Day - Gabriel Henrique (Cover Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men) React O Holy Night - Gabriel Henrique React Stand Up - Gabriel Henrique (Cover) React I Want to Know What Love Is - Gabriel Henrique (Cover Mariah Carey)

[@gregharrison5479]

Start with the title: Angst! It means Fear in German.

[@djangob7739]

How about to pause a little bit more?

[@jbird4478]

"We're supposed to be reacting to the music, but this just got me thinking about a lot of things right now" Hehe. That tends to happen with this band. Your interpretation was off, as I'm sure you've heard by now, but it was interesting nonetheless.

[@harrythatsme2100]

Please do the most meaningfull reaction of your life. 2000mules Get us out of the mess we are in ATM!

[@josetomasfreire7261]

Good t shirt. Futbol club

[@TheRammMan]

You still doing Rammstein mate?

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

I need to

[@krisztiankorosparti1124]

Ha angol forditást néznél értenéd a mondanivalót

[@OneLifeIsNotEnough-d9p]

You forgot to change the language of the subtitles to english. 🤣

[@beyonderprime5020]

Angst vor dem schwarzen Mann = Afraid the Boogie Man

[@du_auch_da4520]

Please don't pause mid Breakdown this is extremely unsatisfying

[@sk-gn8fz]

learn german - rammstein is using lyriks and poems of the 18 and 19th zentury .. (sry 4 bad english - not my mothertounge) this lyriks and poems are very dificult to translate

[@geper23ify]

Stop video more...

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

Cry

[@Congaman41]

Bro u messed up this reaction really bad. You need to understand that Rammstein isnt ur average american boyband. Rammstein is for adults with some education. You need to understand their messages in lyrichs and pictures. No need to agree with it all. I love Angst eventhough I dont fully agree with the message.

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

Bro no shit. I have a pasted comment and I noted it in the video that I didn't get it first listen. I don't listen to "American boybands" 😅😅😅 I don't speak German... so the lyrics were lost on me. Quite a few cultural differences represented in the imagery as well. Lucky for me some other people who were NOT an asshole in their comments explained the references. Bye!

[@Congaman41]

@@DrumRollTonyReacts Allways a good idea to blame ur viewers when u mess up and calling ur viewers "assholes". That will surely bring traffic...

[@connectingthedots100]

They are eating en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate-coated_marshmallow_treats Which at one time was called negro's kiss in Germany. You make your own assumptions...