Rammstein, or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Those Wacky Germans. (Live at the IZOD Center, East Rutherford, NJ 5-5-11.) Let me preface this review of Rammstein at the IZOD Center in NJ with one caveat: I don’t know shit about Rammstein. The glorious thing is, though, that I didn’t have to previously be a fan for them to win me over as a convert. I couldn’t tell you what songs they played. It didn’t matter. The set order was impeccable. Heavy as hell, delicate when and where it needed to be, all with a completely satisfying ebb and flow to the tempo and aggression. Beyond that, the stage show was equal parts Alice Cooper and KISS meets Metropolis, all residing in a carnival of the macabre. The apocalyptic soundtrack was perfectly synched to their stylized sociopath serial dramas, all played out on stage before our collective eyes. How many bands faux kill their keyboardist with such giddy delight? Is it a stunt show? A side show? A grand statement about mankind or just some hilarious dicking around with flamethrowers? Truthfully, I don’t care what it is. Because what it truly happens to be is one incredible concert experience, by a band that by and far gives their fans (and new converts) alike a show worthy of their hard earned money. When admission prices to arena shows make them the kind of thing I attend less and less, I would and will gladly give my hard-earned cash to those wacky Germans again. The music would be enough, but coupled with that sort of show, it’s a grand slam. Rating: 10/10. Deutschland Uber Alles. -Jay Mazeffect www.rammstein.com