Feuerengel

Sold-out venues and clubs at home and abroad – and have been for decades. How did that happen?

When Boris Delic saw the band Rammstein at a festival in 1997, he knew straight away: he wanted to form a tribute band. Not just a cover band, but a genuine tribute. The first line-up was quickly assembled, the name was modelled on their idols, and the first gigs in youth centres soon followed – with simple pyrotechnics and rudimentary costumes. It was still just a hobby.

But as early as the following year, Rammstein’s management took notice of the band from northern Germany. An invitation to Berlin followed, where Feuerengel played before Rammstein and their guests. It marked the start of some wild years: more and more gigs in clubs, venues and at major open-air festivals – in Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

In 2005, Feuerengel played at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin at a celebration for Rammstein. By now, the band was touring with a large crew. Their own pyrotechnicians ensured effects faithful to the originals; show elements were recreated down to the last detail, whilst the sound, lighting and stage design were closely modelled on the original. When on stage, the six musicians are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Television channels such as MTV, RTL, NDR, Pro7 and Dutch television have featured this tribute band, which remained unique for a long time.

In 2016, Feuerengel appeared on ‘Mein bester Feind’ with Joko Winterscheidt and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf in a Berlin TV studio. The production expanded: lorries, warehouses, more staff. Clubs became arenas; shows became spectacles. The fan base grew – the idea became a way of life.

Today, after almost 30 years and hundreds of shows, it has long since become more than just a hobby. It’s still all about one thing: paying tribute to Rammstein at the very highest level – night after night, together with the fans. “You’d swear they were the real thing,” say the fans. Mission accomplished.