What does Rammstein's new ‘Matchstick’ album artwork actually mean and symbolise?

As we are treated to another single from the band's first album in 10 years, ‘RADIO’ is yet again another reminder of how Rammstein use simplicity to their advantage. It’s a simple riff with a simple melody that just works. The cover for the single is quite literally just a radio.

Rammstein are known for expressing themselves in two main ways, simplicity and fire. If you’ve ever seen a Rammstein video or watched them live then you’ll be familiar with their onstage explosions and balls of fire that shoot out of every corner of their performance.

Rammstein recently released the album artwork for their new album and it’s extremely simple. The album artwork is just a single, unlit match on a bright white background.

As Rammstein don’t often give interviews to reveal their secrets, it can be difficult to understand what they are trying to express throughout their work. However, when you remember the fact they’re a very simple band at heart, it’s not difficult to figure out what this image means.

Whilst there could be a much deeper meaning to the lonely match stick, Rammstein fans have said it’s quite simply Rammstein displaying their simplistic nature and their love for fire. It’s certainly a memorable cover.

The unlit match could also represent their desire to create something powerful and contagious, as fire spreads, so does their enigmatic mystique and reach around the globe.

When you consider that Rammstein's lead singer is a qualified pyrotechnician, and has been since the bands early days, the solitary match most likely represents their love for fire.