Original artwork in deluxe gatefold sleeve, with "RAMMS+EIN" and [Rammstein logo] embossed in white characters on the front. Contains printed inner sleeves with track lists and illustrations and a 12" 16-page booklet with lyrics, credits, photos and illustrations. First time as solo vinyl instead of collection.
[On back cover and labels A & C] (P) & (C) 2015 Universal Music Domestic Division, a Division of Universal Music GmbH [...]. Made in the EU. [...] Vertigo Berlin. [...]
[On the inside of the booklet:] [...] Recorded at El Cortijo Studio, Malaga, Spain Drums recorded at Studios 301, Stockholm, Sweden [...] Mixed [...] at Toytown Studio, Stockholm, Sweden Mastered [...] at Masterdisk Corporation, New York, USA [...] Orchestra & choir session recorded at Scoringstage @ Saal 1, Berlin [...] Vinyl remastering [...], Chartmakers, Helsinki Vinyl cutting [...], Sterling Sound, New York
All songs published by Musik-Edition Discoton GmbH/UMPG (GEMA) & Tamtam Fialik Musikverlag (GEMA), sub-published in the U.S. by Universal Music - MBG Songs (ASCAP) & Tamtam Fialik Musikverlag, admin. Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. The album was originally released in 2004 by Universal Music Domestic Division, a division of Universal Music GmbH/Germany [...]
[Additional runout information:] - Runouts are hand-etched except for the stamped 'STERLING' - The Optimal Media plating symbols ("geometric" marks) are mirrored
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Barcode (Text): 0 602527 296722
Barcode (Scanned, UPC-A): 602527296722
Label Code: LC 14513
Rights Society (On label sides A & C): BIEM/SDRM
Rights Society (Publishing): GEMA
Rights Society (Publishing): ASCAP
Other (LP 1 cat.#, on side A label): 2729673
Other (LP 2 cat.#, on side C label): 2729674
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 1): B988070-01 A1 4V 60252-7-29673-9A RJ STERLING
Here is my review of this. My equipment: Audio Technica AT-LP120 (entry level turntable), Klipsch R-620F (the cheapest Klipsch speakers Best Buy sells) and a hybrid tube amp with two aux imputs for digital, etc. I'm pushing a grand total of 33 watts over here but I crank it.
This record sounds really balanced but obviously digital. The lows aren't super low; the guitars are THICK, the bass drum sounds more like an afterthought; the vocals are crisp; the bass tone is a bit more defined. Overall, it sounds okay. It doesn't blow me away like a Pink Floyd record, but why should it--it was originally released in 2004 on CD and wasn't recorded to tape (as far as I know). The pressing itself is nice (as many EU pressings are superior to US pressings in my experience) but it reminds me of some Music On Vinyl pressings (meaning the cover art leaves a lot to be desired; the artwork is largely blurry and not sharp, but the jacket is still nice and sturdy and the Rammstein wording and logo are raised).
Regardless, this pressing, to my ears, is super sharp and bright but still comes through with the bass and guitar when the song gets to that point. To me, Rammstein isn't groove oriented like Pantera nor are they hyper-dynamic like System of a Down. It sounds as if: this is as good as a Rammstein record will ever sound; make of that what you will. I would still recommend this if you're a fan of this band.
Is it worth it? I'd say so. Is it blow-you-away-good? No. Could it be better? Yes. Am I happy to own it? Yes. This completes a poor-man's-audiophile-equipment-review of this record.
A bit disappointed, saturated at times, not a huge dynamic, it sounds like trying to put a digital media on a disk with some mastering work ok, but not really impressive... I just had to stay with my CDs. I'm listening to it right now and it's like "agressive sound (compression)", but overall it's ok, no more no less. If I could give it 3 and half stars that would be it. But overall it's a nice job, maybe deserve 4 stars because I'm in a good mood today.
Absolutely fantastic pressing. Holds up incredibly well, especially at higher volumes. I've noticed all kinds of details I never heard before. Everything about this release is high quality; the lyrics booklet and art is just incredible. Love it 5/5