RAMMSTEIN Album Banned From Display In Germany
November 9, 2009, 14 years ago
According to Wolfgang Spahr from Billboard.com, the album Liebe ist Für Alle Da (Love is For All) by German hard rock group RAMMSTEIN - currently at No. 2 on Billboard's European Albums Chart - has been banned from public display in German stores with effect from November 11 on account of its depictions of sadism/masochism, which have been deemed to be harmful to children and young people.
Announcing this ruling, Petra Meier, the deputy president of the Federal Office for the Examination of Media Harmful to Young People, cited the track 'Ich tue Dir Weh' ("I Want to Hurt You") as well as the artwork showing guitarist Richard Kruspe with a masked, naked woman on his knees. The Federal Office objected to the fact that the track includes lines such as "Bites, kicks, heavy blows, nails, pincers, blunt saws - Tell me what you want."
The German Federal Office for the Examination of Media Harmful to Young People in Bonn also criticized the single 'Pussy', stating that it incites listeners to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse despite the risk of AIDS, although the single was not officially part of the ruling banning the album.
As a result of the ruling, the 11-track Universal album may no longer be advertised or placed on open exhibition in such a way that may be accessed by young people and children under the age of 18 years.
"The ruling will be officially published on Wednesday," said Meier. "Up until then, the album may continue to be retailed. The decision was made in accordance with Section 18 of the Youth Protection Act." According to the statistics of the office, 131 albums had been placed on the restricted list in 2007 and 116 last year, while as many as 966 have been put on the list so far this year.
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