1997 saw more extensive touring in Europe and also the release of "Sehnsucht". At the end of the year, Rammstein began touring the United States. In late August of '98, 2 legendary performances in the Wuhlheide were professionally filmed and released later as "Live aus Berlin". From September 22 to October 31, Rammstein toured with Korn, Ice Cube, Orgy and Limp Bizkit for the Family Values Tour.
In '99 Rammstein continued touring. Destinations such as North and South America, and Canada were subjected to the band's pyrotechnics and stage show. On the 26th of November, "Live aus Berlin" was released on DVD.
The year 2000 saw Rammstein working in the studio for their next album "Mutter", which was also mixed in the year. In 2001 for the first time, the band visited Australia and New Zealand for the Big Day Out festival, and on April 2, "Mutter" was released. It was followed by touring in Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico.
2002 was a quieter year for the band, but a crucial one. Rammstein's performance of "Feuer frei!" was recorded for the film "xXx", promoting the band at great heights. After winning many awards, Rammstein toured Europe from May 14 to July 14.
In 2003, Paul and Christoph remixed Marilyn Manson's "mOBSCENE". From November to December the band recorded "Reise, Reise", and on the first of December, Lichtspielhaus was released. On September 27, the band's fourth album was released, and starting on the first of November, Rammstein began touring throughout Europe and Germany.
Finishing the European tour at the end of February, Rammstein prepare to release their next album "Rosenrot" for the 28th October. On December 16, the band are honoured with platinum for the album “Herzeleid”, double platinum for “Sehnsucht”, the “Live aus Berlin” DVD, "Mutter", the "Lichtspielhaus" DVD, "Reise, Reise" and "Rosenrot". Furthermore, Rammstein receive the World Sales Awards for over 10 million sold copies worldwide.
2006 was a very quiet year for Rammstein. Fans long awaited the package "Völkerball", which documented the 2004/2005 tours and was released in the middle of November.
On August 28, 1988, three jets from the Italian Air Force display team collided during mid-flight in front of an audience of 300,000 during an airshow at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. One aircraft crashed directly into the crowd...The disaster resulted in the deaths of sixty seven spectators as well as the three pilots, and serious injury of 346 spectators who were injured in the resulting explosion and fire.
The band changed "Ramstein" to "Rammstein" which is not a real German word, but literally means "Ram-stone". The song of the same named is featured on their debut album "Herzeleid", which depicts the disaster.
