# Paul Landers

> German guitarist

**Wikidata**: [Q165644](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q165644)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Landers)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paul-landers

## Summary
Paul Landers, born Heiko Paul Hiersche on December 9, 1964, is a German guitarist and musician best known as a founding member of the industrial metal band Rammstein. He has been a central figure in the German music scene since 1983, contributing to the development of the Neue Deutsche Härte subgenre through his work with Rammstein and earlier punk bands like Feeling B and First Arsch.

## Biography
- **Born**: December 9, 1964 (Place not specified in source material)
- **Nationality**: German (Citizenship: Germany, East Germany)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Being the guitarist for the industrial metal band Rammstein and a pioneer of the Neue Deutsche Härte genre
- **Employer(s)**: Rammstein, Feeling B, First Arsch
- **Field(s)**: Music, specifically guitar performance, industrial metal, punk rock, and Neue Deutsche Härte

## Contributions
Paul Landers has been instrumental in the formation and success of several significant musical groups and genres:
- **Rammstein**: As a founding member since the band's inception on January 4, 1994, Landers has contributed to the creation of the industrial metal and Neue Deutsche Härte sound that defined the group's global success.
- **Feeling B**: He was a member of this former German punk band, which was active starting in 1983, helping to establish his early career in the punk rock scene.
- **First Arsch**: Landers participated in this German punk rock band, which began in 1986, further developing his musical style before his major success with Rammstein.
- **Genre Development**: His work has been pivotal in the inception and popularization of the "Neue Deutsche Härte" subgenre (emerging around 1990) and "industrial metal" (emerging around 1988).

## FAQs
**What is Paul Landers' real name?**
Paul Landers was born with the name Heiko Paul Hiersche, which is also recorded as Heiko Paul Hirsche in some sources.

**Which bands has Paul Landers been a member of?**
He is currently a member of Rammstein and was previously a member of the punk bands Feeling B and First Arsch.

**When did Paul Landers begin his professional music career?**
His work period officially started in 1983, coinciding with his involvement in the band Feeling B.

**What musical genres is Paul Landers associated with?**
He is primarily associated with industrial metal and the subgenre Neue Deutsche Härte, though his early career involved punk rock.

**Is Paul Landers a German citizen?**
Yes, he holds citizenship in Germany and was also a citizen of the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

## Why They Matter
Paul Landers is a significant figure in modern German music history, serving as a key architect of the industrial metal sound that gained international prominence through Rammstein. His career spans over four decades, bridging the gap between the underground punk scene of the 1980s and the global stadium rock phenomenon of the 21st century. Without his contributions to the formation of Rammstein and the development of the Neue Deutsche Härte style, the landscape of German rock music would lack one of its most distinctive and commercially successful voices. His longevity and consistent output have influenced countless musicians within the metal and industrial genres.

## Notable For
- Being a founding member and guitarist of the world-renowned band Rammstein.
- Contributing to the inception and definition of the "Neue Deutsche Härte" music subgenre.
- Maintaining a continuous professional music career since 1983.
- Being a member of the influential German punk band Feeling B.
- Holding dual citizenship in Germany and the former German Democratic Republic.
- Using the stage name Paul Landers while born as Heiko Paul Hiersche.
- Being a key figure in the industrial metal genre since its emergence in the late 1980s.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Paul Landers was born on December 9, 1964. His birth name is Heiko Paul Hiersche, though he is also referred to as Heiko Paul Hirsche in certain records. He is a citizen of Germany and was formerly a citizen of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), which existed from 1949 to 1990. He is classified as a human and a German national.

### Musical Career and Bands
Landers' professional music career began in 1983. His first notable affiliation was with **Feeling B**, a former German punk band established in 1983. Following this, he joined **First Arsch**, a German musical group and punk rock band that started in 1986. His most significant and enduring contribution is to **Rammstein**, a German Neue-Deutsche-Härte and industrial metal band founded on January 4, 1994. He has remained a core member of Rammstein, contributing to their status as a major force in the music industry.

### Genre and Style
Landers is a guitarist, a musician who plays the guitar, and is also categorized as a composer and singer. His work is central to the **industrial metal** genre, which emerged around 1988 as a fusion of heavy metal and industrial music. He is also a defining figure in **Neue Deutsche Härte**, a subgenre of rock music that began around 1990. His field of work encompasses music, which is defined as art using sound.

### Professional Affiliations and Roles
Throughout his career, Landers has held the occupation of a guitarist, musician, composer, and singer. He is a member of the band Rammstein, as well as the earlier groups Feeling B and First Arsch. His work is situated within the broader context of the music industry, which includes various creative disciplines and cultural manifestations.

### Personal and Professional Data
- **Wikidata Description**: German guitarist.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Paul Landers.
- **Aliases**: Paul H. Landers.
- **Work Period**: Started in 1983.
- **Identifiers**: He holds various identifiers including P18 (Paul Landers 2011.jpg), P214, P227, P345, P373, P434, P569, P646, P691, P1477, P1559, P1728, P1741, P1828, P1953, P2605, P4666, P4985, P5404, P7704, P10302, P10372, P10757, P12098, and P12153.
- **Sitelink Count**: His Wikipedia entry has 38 sitelinks.

### Cultural Context
Landers operates within the cultural framework of Germany, a country in Central Europe with a rich history of music, literature, and the arts. Germany is known for its contributions to music, and Landers is a notable person from this country, alongside figures like Albert Einstein and Johann Sebastian Bach. The German music scene has produced significant movements, and Landers' work in industrial metal and Neue Deutsche Härte represents a modern evolution of this tradition. His career reflects the broader cultural heritage of Germany, which includes a vibrant arts and cultural scene with numerous festivals and contributions to global music.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. MusicBrainz
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. ISWC Network