Rammstein singer Lindemann polarizes with rape poem: freedom of art or “disgusting”?

Rammstein always provokes. Frontman Till Lindemann is now under criticism. The reason is a poem that deals with rape fantasies.

• Rammstein repeatedly operates with provocations in her songs.
• The German rock band has to deal with criticism again and again.
• Now it hits front man Till Lindemann - a poem polarized with rape fantasies .

Leipzig - Till Lindemann is currently making more headlines. There has been speculation in the recent past as to whether the front man of the Rammstein band has contracted the coronavirus . Born in Leipzig, the last time he was in an intensive care unit in Berlin, his current state of health is not fully known.

Rammstein: Rock band provokes again and again - and reaps criticism for it

Regardless, Lindemann is currently causing excitement. In the past, he and his band Rammstein have been subjected to criticism several times. In the beginning of the rock band founded in Berlin in 1994, there were accusations of right-wing extremist tendencies , from which the band then clearly distanced itself. Rammstein was repeatedly caught in the fire of critics, even for depictions of her songs that glorified violence .

Rammstein: poem by front man Till Lindemann polarized

The intensive examination of violence is now causing criticism again. However, this is not a song by the band, but a poem by front man Till Lindemann . The 57-year-old is also increasingly trying to be a poet.

In his latest volume “100 Poems” Lindemann takes up topics from everyday life to violence to love and sex. One of his new works is particularly striking: “if you sleep” is apparently about a rape fantasy .

Rammstein: Till Lindemann's poem "if you sleep" in the wording

Specifically, Lindemann writes: “I like to sleep with you when you sleep. If you don't move at all. Mouth is open, eyes are closed. The whole body is at rest. Can touch you anywhere. Like to sleep with you when you dream. And that's exactly how it should be (that's the way it is, it's fun). Some Rohypnol in the wine (some Rohypnol in the glass). Can't move anymore. And you sleep, it's a blessing. "

Rammstein: Reactions to Lindemann's poem: freedom of art or breaking taboos?

The reactions to the poem, meanwhile, are very different. Two extremes are emerging. On the one hand, Lindemann is defended. After all, provocation and exaggerated depictions from Rammstein are not only used since the polarizing song "Germany" and art simply has to "shock" , as a user notes on Twitter.

If art can't shock, it's not art. # Lindemann

The people who are now echoing about the Lindemann book of poems have already heard the texts by Rammstein, right?

In addition, it argues with the freedom of art , which is anchored in the Basic Law . There it says in Article 5, paragraph 1: "Everyone has the right to freely express and disseminate his or her opinion in word, writing and image (...). Censorship does not take place."

Critics' fantasies, however, simply go too far. Lindemann therefore exceeded a limit. A border that no longer seems to justify itself with the freedom of art. The poem is therefore called “disgusting” on Twitter.

CN: rape

This "poem" by #Lindemann is so disgusting
How can you defend such a guy / a band?
The guy fantasizes about raping another person and presents it as something nice.
You disgust me like this. # Rape # sexual violence

Rammstein: after criticism of Lindemann's poem - publisher takes a stand: "confusion"

Some voices also criticized the Kiwi publishing house , which published the book of poems. Such moral violations should not be printed, as can be read on Twitter. The publisher then spoke up and, with a view to the so-called lyrical self, not the author's opinion but the speaker, made it clear: "The moral indignation about the text is based on a mix-up."

Helge Malchow on the criticism of Till Lindemann's poem "If you sleep" pic.twitter.com/8LqzcIQ7un

Regardless of what you think of the poem, it remains to be concluded that Lindemann has once again managed to polarize.

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