One of Germany’s biggest cultural exports, the band Rammstein, has been accused of systematic abuse against its female groupies. According to several international sources, the band must have given a small group of women access to an area closest to the stage, meetings with the band and parties after the concerts. It is during these meetings that accusations of possible doping and inappropriate behavior from the band’s frontman Till Lindemann and others in his crew are now emerging. The band themselves have so far denied all accusations. Frontman Till Lindemann during a concert in Germany in 2019. Photo: CHRISTOPHE GATEAU / AFP – Was served drinks and escorted under the stage Irish Shelby Lynn first shared concerns on social media that she may have been drugged at the concert in Vilnius, Lithuania in May . She then explained that she had been recruited to become part of the exclusive group invited in front of the stage, that she should have been served drinks and later escorted under the stage where she met frontman Till Lindemann. Rammstein was formed in Berlin in 1993 by vocalist Till Lindemann, guitarists Richard Z. Kruspe and Paul Landers, drummer Christoph Schneider, bassist Oliver Riedel and keyboardist Christian Lorenz. The members had grown up in East Germany. Photo: KATJA LENZ / AFP Lynn says she got a bad feeling and said she wasn’t there to have sex. According to Lynn, Lindemann should then have become angry and left the place. After she shared her experiences, a number of other women with similar stories have appeared, writes the BBC. Among other things, the German influencer Kayla Shyx tells in a YouTube video how she experienced the meetings with the band backstage. – It was so uncomfortable, she says in the video. – A handful of pretty girls were followed by guards Norske Tone Elisabeth Irgens was present at the concert in Vilnius late in May. She tells news that she witnessed guards leading a handful of “very pretty girls” in front of the railings. – It was very easy to notice. They were not dressed like the rest of us, in black, but in summer clothes. They didn’t look like typical fans, says Irgens. Tone Elisabeth at the concert in Vilnius. Photo: Private She didn’t know who these were at the time, but she had some thoughts that they might be acquaintances or “VIPs”. – “Rad zero” is history Several media, including German Die Welt, describe how young women are said to have been cast by a person associated with the band, Russian Alena Makeeva. She allegedly contacted them via social media and promised them exclusive access to the band. This must have been going on for several years. Rammstein played at Bjerke racecourse for 60,000 spectators last year. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Also during the concert in Oslo at Bjerke track last summer, there must have been exclusive access to the front of the stage, for a select few. On the social media Reddit there is a thread where someone says they saw people coming out of tents by the flame throwers during the concert. “Are they super VIPs and family of the band?” they ask themselves. Rammstein have now distanced themselves from Makeeva, and it is reported that “row zero” is history. Prime Minister Olaf Scholz follows the case Vilnius was the first concert in Rammstein’s European tour. This week they have played in their home country of Germany, at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. There must have been full houses, but according to the German Bild, hundreds of fans must have tried to get rid of tickets for the German concerts. Some have also demonstrated against the band at the stadium where they play. The after-parties have been stopped, and Family Minister Lisa Paus has called for separate protected areas in the concert arena for women, and that there should be separate guards at the concerts to deal with suspected sexual abuse. On Friday, a spokesman for the German government said that Prime Minister Olaf Scholtz is also following the reports coming in about the German metal band. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Photo: Markus Schreiber / AP The spokesperson says the prime minister has followed the case in recent days and that the accusations “must be cleared up”. However, the spokesperson added that the debate about what needs to be done in the music industry should be held in the music industry. The band: “A right not to be prejudged” Earlier this week, the band wrote a statement that they shared on Instagram: Photo: screenshot – To our fans, we say: It’s important to us that you feel comfortable and safe at our shows – front and backstage. We condemn any form of abuse and ask you: Do not engage in prejudgment of any kind against those who have made accusations. They are entitled to their point of view. – But we, the band, also have a right – not to be prejudged. Rammstein has now hired a lawyer and frontman Lindemann rejects the accusations. – Several women have made serious accusations against our client. All of these claims are false, the law firm says in a statement. They also say that they will take legal action against the women who have accused Lindemann. – Have compassion for all parties Tone Elisabeth Irgens has been a fan of Rammstein for 20 years. – I am very fond of German. The lyrics are fantastic, and many are actually deep and political, contrary to what many people think. She was looking for tickets for the tour for a long time and would like to see them again. – It is an experience. It’s full adrenaline for three hours, they give absolutely everything! She has also heard a lot of good things about the band, that they are nice to the fans. – But of course I have also heard rumors about drugs, and am not surprised that there are accusations. But that they should have drugged others, that is a completely different matter – and very important to find out. Until there is any evidence or development in the case, she is neutral about the accusations. – I have compassion for all parties, and hope this will be resolved. Hanne Lund Lønnemo in the Norwegian fan club writes in a comment to news: “We cannot speculate about such a serious situation. We have confidence that the situation will be treated seriously by Rammstein and we await further information and measures”.
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Accusations of doping and abuse of young women are hurled at Rammstein – news Culture and entertainment
