"Mutter" is the 3rd studio album by German industrial metal band, Rammstein. It was released in 2001 on Motor Music and produced by the band with Jacob Hellner. The line-up for the album was Till Lindemann (vocals), Richard Kruspe (guitar), Paul Landers (guitar), Oliver Riedel (bass), Christoph Schneider (drums) and Christian Lorenz (keyboards).

Rammstein as a band came of age on this album. On their debut offering, "Herzeleid" and the follow-up, "Sehnsucht", they had some good songs but also had some that didn't fit the mould. On "Mutter", however, all that changes. "Mein Herz Brennt" kicks things off with a rising melody of orchestra and vocals before the guitars and drums pound in, giving the listener a taste of what's to come.

There is a fantastic mix of heavy music and slow tempo harmonies, ranging from the heaviest in "Feuer Frei" to the softest in album closer, "Nebel". Till Lindemann's vocals are on top form and the twin-guitar attack from Kruspe and Landers make for a classic bunch of songs.

Highlights on the album are plenty; the main riff on "Spielhur", the chorus of "Ich Will" and the subject matter of the titular song, "Mutter" to name a few. This is an album I often listen to and can't help coming back to over and over again.

In summary, "Mutter" is, in my own opinion, the best album Rammstein have ever put out. If you want an industrial metal album to stand the test of time, you need to add this to your collection. The fact that the lyrics are all in German should not deter. In fact, if they were in English, I'm not sure the songs would sound so good.

1. Mein Herz Brennt
2. Links 2 3 4
3. Sonne
4. Ich Will
5. Feuer Frei
6. Mutter
7. Spielhur
8. Zwitter
9. Rein, Raus
10. Adios
11. Nebel

My rating: 9/10