National Sexualism: German History, Identity, and Sexuality in the Political Spectacle of Rammstein
Date
2024
Authors
Watt, Cat
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
This project intends to situate the hypersexuality of the German Neue Deutsche Härte group ‘Rammstein’ in the context of the vivid and graphic connections they make between German identity and sexuality in German history and cultural politics. Rammstein’s work includes satirical representations of German history and politics including imperialism, militarism, and the Nazi and East German regimes. Along with obvious historical content, the band often employs sexually explicit aesthetics and themes. Taken in the context of Rammstein’s politically charged works and satirical intent, the implicit association of Nazism with German identity, and larger cultural associations of Nazism with sexual deviancy and sadomasochism, Rammstein’s hypersexuality may simultaneously acknowledge the significance of sexuality in German history, politics, and identity, as well as critique associations of German identity with Nazism and aberrant sexuality.
Description
Keywords
Rammstein, Neue Deutsche Härte, German identity, sexuality, political spectacle