Standing at six feet seven inches, Oliver Riedel serves as the primary bassist for the Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. Born in Schwerin in 1971, he occupies a central role in the group’s rhythmic architecture, balancing his contributions as a composer, lyricist, and librettist within one of the most commercially successful German musical exports in history.
Early Career and Formation
Riedel entered the professional music scene in 1992 by joining the folk-punk ensemble Inchtabokatables. During that same year, he traveled through the southwestern United States alongside future bandmates Richard Kruspe and Till Lindemann. By 1993, the trio established a collaborative project known as Tempelprayers, eventually expanding to include drummer Christoph Schneider. Their momentum increased in 1994 when they secured a professional studio session after winning the Berlin Senate Metrobeat contest, leading to the recruitment of Paul Landers and Christian Lorenz. This expanded lineup finalized their transition into the project eventually titled Rammstein.
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As a bassist, Riedel primarily utilizes a fingerstyle approach for his recorded work. His live performances often deviate from this, as he typically employs a pick to manage the driving pace of the band's repertoire. For specific arrangements, such as the track "Seemann," he shifts to a banjo-style plucking technique to execute arpeggiated chords. Beyond his primary role, he also performs the acoustic guitar introductions for songs including "Tier" and "Frühling in Paris" during live appearances. His technical setup has evolved significantly, shifting from early Ampeg SVT-II rigs and MusicMan Stingray instruments to modern Glockenklang Heart-Rock amplifiers and signature Sandberg bass models.
Professional Engagement and Output
Riedel’s contributions span the entirety of the Rammstein discography, beginning with the 1995 release of Herzeleid. His work continued through foundational albums such as Sehnsucht in 1997 and Mutter in 2001, followed by Reise, Reise in 2004 and Rosenrot in 2005. His creative output persisted into the 2009 record Liebe ist für alle da and the eponymous 2019 studio album, with his most recent credits appearing on the 2022 release, Zeit. Outside of his musical obligations, he is noted for his technical aptitude and maintains a focus on photography, skateboarding, and surfing.
Fast facts
- Born: 1971, Schwerin, Germany
- Primary Band: Rammstein
- Height: 6 ft 7 in (2 m)
- Occupations: Bassist, composer, lyricist, librettist
- Languages: German, English
- First Band: Inchtabokatables
- Signature Gear: Sandberg California PM, Sandberg Terrabass
Questions readers ask
What is Oliver Riedel's role in Rammstein?
He is the bassist, though he also contributes as a composer, lyricist, and librettist.
What musical techniques does he use?
He is primarily a fingerstyle player who uses a pick for live performances and a banjo-style plucking technique for arpeggios.
Achievements
- Instruments: bass guitar
- Genres: Neue Deutsche Härte and industrial metal
