It's been over three years since the last studio album for Industrial Metal faves Rammstein, returning to the fold with "Reise, Reise".  Their reputation for theatrics stays well intact with an album full of heavy bass, rumbling German accents and operatic inclusions.

On studio album number four the focus remains on lively Industrial Metal, although there is a bit more room for acoustic experiments, with a number of tracks dipping into strumming intros and twangy bridges, whilst constantly reminding the listener that they are, in fact, still immersed in a Rammstein album.  "Los" is a great example, using a rhythmic acoustic guitar chord as an eerie hint that the music is about to get heavier.

Still, the bass guitar and kick drums get more than a light workout on a majority of the tracks, notably on heavy gems "Morgenstern" (morning star), "Mein Teil" (my share), and "Keine Lust".  In the middle of the album is the curious and very possibly intentional placing of "Amerika" directly before "Moskau" (Moscow).  "Amerika" generally trivialises the American lifestyle, toggling between English and the mother tongue, and outlines their feelings on the subject with the line "Amerika, This is not a love song".  "Moskou" is an energetic anthem with an unexpected female vocalist who helps to create a chant-like crowd-pleaser - at Russian concerts anyway.

There's nothing worse than being left on a sour note, and unfortunately that's exactly what the final two tracks deliver.  "Ohne Dich" (without yourself) represents as the obligatory ballad.  Sappy, slow and crap.  "Amour" isn't as bad, but it isn't noteworthy either: hardly an album-ender.

Reviewing a Rammstein album is always difficult when you're limited to one language - one that the artist tends not to use.  However most International Rammstein fans will tell you it's not the lyrics, it's the style that gets them going, and Reise Reise delivers what the fans crave; a deeply melodic dose of heavy alternate rock.  It also doesn't hurt that Till Lindermann has an on stage tendency of singing whilst on fire.  Overall it's another powerful album for the R section of your CD collection.