Engel

Rammstein's song "Engel" is distinguished by a particular sound element: the whistles created on Flake Lorenz's electronic keyboard. Added to this sound is the female vocal accompanying the chorus, performed by Christiane “Bobo” Herbold, known for her work with Bobo in White Wooden Houses. This combination of elements made “Engel” the band’s first song to be played on the radio, marking a pivotal moment in their rise to fame in Germany. The lyrics, written by Richard Z. Kruspe, explore the idea of the loneliness of angels in heaven, beyond the sun, and the narrator’s reluctance to become one. Its music video draws inspiration from a scene in Robert Rodriguez’s film *From Dusk Till Dawn*, showing Till Lindemann, Flake Lorenz, and Christoph Schneider as part of the audience, while Paul Landers, Richard Z. Kruspe, and Oliver Riedel perform.

This track was the first single from the album *Sehnsucht*, Rammstein’s second studio album, released in 1997 by Motor Music Records. The album was very well received in Europe, reaching number one in Germany. The song was mixed by Ronald Prent and produced by Bobo, Jacob Hellner, and Rammstein themselves. In their live performances, “Engel” became a regular closer to the main set during the *Sehnsucht* tour and also for much of the *Mutter* tour in 2001. The live performances were particularly memorable: in the version from *Live aus Berlin*, Bobo Herbold sang from a cage engulfed in flames, and drummer Christoph Schneider’s drumsticks shot sparks. Years later, during the LIFAD Tour between 2009 and 2011, the song once again closed out the concerts, and Till Lindemann appeared wearing giant wings that shot flames and sparks. In addition, the song was featured on the soundtrack for the movie *Mortal Kombat: Annihilation*. Rammstein, an industrial metal band from Berlin, Germany, is known for its theatrical shows featuring pyrotechnics and has maintained its original lineup since its formation in 1994.