“Lend your ears to a legend.”

German metal icons Rammstein slam back into the scene with their much-anticipated sixth studio album, Liebe ist für alle da (Love is there for everyone). Since the 2005 release of Rosenrot, the band has released only singles and live material. Now, the Battering Stone are back with a vengeance.

LIFAD opens up strong with “Rammlied” (Ramm-song), a battering ram of a number that harkens back to the powerful opening tracks of Herzeleid. The song includes their trademark “ramm-STEIN,” something to give chills to any diehard listener. “Rammlied” deals with the return of the band and could even be considered an anthem of sorts.

“Weidmann’s Heil” (Huntsman’s Greeting) is another great song that helps to open up the album. The song commences with hunting horns, and features a very catchy chorus. Rammstein fans will notice the pursuit motif present in earlier tracks such as “Du riechst so gut” and “Asche zu Asche”.

“Haifisch” (Shark) is a catchy number that uses the band’s trademark wordplay to keep the lyrics as double-edged as we expect them to be. The song is based on a lyric from “Die Moritat von Mackie Messer,” a song we Americans know as “Mack the Knife”. “Haifisch” bounces along wonderfully from a musical standpoint, but to fully enjoy it, one has to get the translation.

The final track, “Roter Sand” (Red Sand) is a beautiful ballad that deals with a fatal duel between jealous lovers. Till Lindemann sings the part of a luckless paramour in his dying moments. The song features haunting whistling and softly sung lyrics that completely defuse the almost combative nature of the album. The special edition CD includes an orchestral version and a “follow-up” song, “Liese” (Elizabeth).

Diehard Rammstein fans (is there any other kind?) could not have asked for a better album than Liebe ist für alle da. In what may be the best release of their career, Rammstein not only delivers speaker-busting sound but creative lyrics and thoughtful construction that force people to reconsider the established stereotypes of metal music.