In the hierarchy of litigation, suing Germany is at the metal AF end of the scale. So it should come as no surprise than high kings of pyro metal Rammstein have decided to do just that after their 2009 album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da was put on a restricted list.
The album – whose title translates to ‘there is enough love for all’ – was put on the list for half a year before it was removed by the Administrative Court in Cologne. Ruling that the classification was unlawful as it neglected considerations of artistic freedom, Rammstein nevertheless has to destroy or store nearly 85,000 copies of the album. Seeking $100,000 in damages, the band’s case will be heard in the coming months.
The list, commonly known as the index, is put together by the German government’s Federal Department For Media Harmful To Young Persons (Bundesprüfstelle Für Jugendgefährdende Medien, a.k.a. the BPjM) and restricts the promotion and sale of (surprise) media deemed potentially harmful to young people.
“Distributors of that medium are then no longer permitted to sell, rent out, present it in public or broadcast it,” the law dictates. The BPjM also prevent the products being advertised with any violations punishable under German law.
Liebe Ist Für Alle Da was added to the list because it was decided that one of the songs of the album, Ich Tu Dir Weh (translates to ‘I’ll hurt you’) and some of the album art promoted unsafe or violent sex. Also objecting to lyrics like “bites, kicks, heavy blows, nails, pincers, blunt saws — tell me what you want” the ruling meant the album could not be advertised or exhibited in a way that people under 18 could access it.
Considering the band’s longstanding history of pursuing confronting content, keyboardist Christian “Flake” Lorenz was confused as to why this was deemed a step too far. Speaking to German newspaper Bild Am Sonntag he said:
“There’s nothing on the album that could be more misinterpreted than on other Rammstein records. Why now and why this?” he asked.
“One of the examiners presumably has a daughter who annoys him with Rammstein at full volume,” he suggested.
Check out the song in question for yourself below.
Rammstein – Ich Tu Dir Weh
