The German industrial-metal band Rammstein gave us something to be thankful for last week with the insane new video for their song “Adieu.” fittingly, “Adieu” is also the closing track on their 2022 highly-acclaimed LP, “Zeit.” And it has already become their go-to closer for live shows on this tour.
The video itself looks very sci-fi and dystopian. Rammstein starts out involved in some kind of high-tech heist and it just goes bonkers from there. We see humans in futuristic cages, celestial armies, futuristic humanoid beings, and laser-protected rooms all rendered with jaw-dropping visuals taking their inspiration from legendary director Tarsem Singh.
[Editor’s note: The band even finds themselves in cryo-chambers hidden behind a door with the word “Mutter” (German for mother in a clear “Alien” hommage) on it. There is an emotional moment for everyone, coming face-to-face with versions of themselves behind glass and covered in goo. (Clones? Aliens? Robots waiting to be activated?! No one knows!).]
With the video being over 8 minutes long it makes you realize what a crime it is the band hasn’t made a feature-length film.
Though the song itself has many fans worried. The chorus for “Adieu” repeats “One last song, one last kiss/No miracle will happen/Adieu, goodbye, see you again!/I had a nice time with you,” [translated from German]. Lyrics which have left some listeners concerned this may be Rammstein’s last album and “Adieu” is, in fact, them bidding everyone farewell.
One fan wrote “judging by the lyrics, it could really be a farewell album for the band. It would make me sad, but I could also understand…Adieu?!” and they are right, Rammstein never really indicates who they are saying goodbye to in the song.
The video, while interesting and extremely cinematic, doesn’t really clear anything up either. Scenes featuring everyone floating up into the air could be interpreted as the band ascending, either to heaven or a new evolution.
Some of the band’s loyal listeners are already grieving the loss. Saying things like “with so much freedom of interpretation. I’m speechless and have to process this first…”
While others point out what a loss their live shows would be (having seen them live I have to agree). “The thing about #Rammstein is to be at a higher level. There is absolutely no band or artist that makes videos like this. If the band finally breaks up, the world will lose the greatest show on stage.” But you have to admit this would be one hell of a high note for Rammstein to go out on.
To add to the confusion, Rammstein has also just announced a 2023 European stadium tour which doesn’t have any indication it is a “farewell” tour. While the band is often very blunt about certain rumors, others it seems like they want to keep people guessing. And this very well be a case of the latter.
The European tour kicks off on May 31st, 2023 in Lisbon, Spain and ends on August 17th, 2023 in Athens, Greece. Other stops include Finland, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and more.
Check out the video for “Adieu” below.
