In Extremo


In Extremo is a German medieval metal band formed in Berlin in 1995. Their music blends heavy metal with traditional folk and medieval elements, including bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies, shawms, harps, and lutes.
The band is known for blending modern rock structures with historical texts and melodies, performing songs primarily in German as well as in Latin, Old Norse, Old High German, Occitan, among others. In Extremo is also recognized for its theatrical live performances, which feature medieval costumes and pyrotechnics.
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History

Origins and formation

In Extremo began as two separate projects: an unnamed acoustic medieval group and an electronic rock band. The project was founded by Michael Robert "Micha" Rhein on 11 April 1995.
The original members included Thomas der Münzer, Der Morgenstern, and Die Lutter. Most members performed under stage names, including Das letzte Einhorn, Flex der Biegsame, Dr. Pymonte, Conny Fuchs, and Sen Pusterbalg. As of 2000, guitarist Van Lange replaced Thomas der Münzer. Many members played multiple instruments and often rotated roles between songs.
Until 1997, In Extremo performed separately as a medieval ensemble and a rock project. The band generally marks its first live rock concert on 29 March 1997 as its establishment date. The two projects were formally merged on 11 January 1998. In April 1998, the band held its first large-scale concert at Rabenstein Castle in Brandenburg.

Musical development

In 1994, the group was encouraged to add traditional folk and medieval instrumentation. The band cited groups such as Corvus Corax and Bathory as influences in its transition toward a hybrid rock sound.
In August 1996, In Extremo began work on its first album, which included two tracks from the emerging rock project. The album was released without an official title and became known as Gold because of its cover design. Released in February 1997, it sold out quickly at medieval markets.
Over time, the band’s sound shifted toward heavier metal influences while continuing to incorporate traditional instruments such as bagpipes, shawms, and lutes.

Later history

In February 2010, In Extremo announced that drummer Der Morgenstern had left the band due to musical differences. In June 2010, Florian "Specki T.D." Speckardt was introduced as his replacement.
Following this change, the band released five studio albums—Sterneneisen, Kunstraub, Quid Pro Quo, Kompass zur Sonne, and Wolkenschieber—all of which reached the top 10 on the German charts. Sterneneisen, Quid Pro Quo, and Kompass zur Sonne each achieved number-one positions for a period.
In July 2020, In Extremo performed an online livestream concert as part of Wacken World Wide.

Appearances

The band's first major appearance was in the first part of the 2001 video game Gothic. A group of traveling musicians called 'In-Extremo' played their version of the song "Herr Mannelig" from the album Verehrt und angespien, by the gallows outside the Old Camp Castle in the second chapter of the game. Due to licensing restrictions, the performance is only included in the German version of the game.
The band was invited to participate in the television program Viva Interactive, where they gave a 15-minute call-and-response and played two songs.
The band rejected an invitation to Top of the Pops to play "Küss mich". However, they accepted a further invitation to Top of the Pops in 2005 and played "Nur ihr allein".
On 2 February 2006, the band introduced themselves on 2 February on the television show TV total.
In Extremo last participated in the Bundesvision Song Contest of Stefan Raab on 9 February 2006 for the Free State of Thuringia. The group occupied the third spot with "Liam ".

Performances

The band's largest public appearance was opening for the farewell tour of Böhse Onkelz in June 2005, with about 120,000 spectators.
YearEventLocationRef
Rock am Ring
Taubertal Festival
Nova RockAustria
2005Support for farewell tour of Böhse Onkelz
2006Wacken Open Air
2006M'era Luna FestivalHildesheim
200610 Year Anniversary TourGermany
200610 Year Anniversary TourAustria
200610 Year Anniversary TourSwitzerland
2018Zelt-Musik-Festival

Reception

The first In Extremo album that attracted attention was Verehrt und angespien, achieving 11th place in the German album charts. The subsequent album, Sünder ohne Zügel, reached 10th place. Their album 7, peaked at number 3 of the German album charts. The video of the single "Küss mich" was frequently shown on German music television.
The band's eighth album, Mein rasend Herz, achieved third place on the album charts in 2005. Three singles were published from this album: "Nur ihr allein" on 17 May 2005, "Horizont" on 12 September 2005, and "Liam " on 3 February 2006. On 10 February 2006, the second live CD/DVD, Raue Spree, was published, coming in at fourth place on the German charts. 7 and Raue Spree achieved gold status in early 2007.
The ninth album Sängerkrieg went to first place on the album charts of Germany on 23 May 2008. In Austria, it reached the 13th place, and in Switzerland, the 22nd place. In Germany, it was the 50th best-selling album of 2008.

Instruments

In Extremo uses electric guitar, bass, and a drum set alongside instruments of predominantly medieval origin. This has included the hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, Uilleann Pipes, shawm, nyckelharpa, harp, cittern, tromba marina, hammered dulcimer, Klangbaum, and various types of drums and percussion. Bagpipes have been the most common of these instruments to be used by the band, as Dr. Pymonte, Yellow Pfeiffer, and Flex der Biegsame all play bagpipes, sometimes all three at once. All of the band members play multiple instruments and frequently rotate instruments between songs. Das letzte Einhorn frequently plays a cittern during certain songs such as "Ai vis lo lop".
Their bagpipes were made by Dr. Pymonte and a well-known pipe builder. The band also uses a custom-built frame drum covered in zebra skin, called "Das Pferd". Most of the other acoustic instruments, such as their shawms, are only made by a few other instrument builders.

Style and lyrics

The band is known for drawing lyrics from poetry and music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Many of the lyrics in the band's repertoire of medieval songs come from church writings, Benedictine writings, or are arrangements of traditional songs. The band also frequently uses songs from the Carmina Burana, as well as the poetry of François Villon.

Performance style and image

In Extremo initially gained visibility through performances at medieval markets and historical venues, including castles.
They are known for their distinctive stage presentation, including medieval-inspired costumes and the use of pyrotechnics during concerts. One notable feature has been Der Morgenstern's use of cymbals set on fire during performances. These theatrical elements became a defining part of the band's live shows as its audience grew.

Members

Current
Former
  • Conny Fuchs – German bagpipes
  • Mathias Aring – German bagpipes
  • Thomas Mund – guitar
  • Reiner Morgenroth – drums, percussion, timpani, frame drum
  • Boris Pfeiffer – German bagpipes, shawm, flute, nyckelharpa ; died 2022
'''Timeline'''

Discography

Singles

  • 1996: Ai vis lo lop
  • 1997: In Extremo
  • 1998: Ai vis lo lop Vocal-Remix
  • 1999: This Corrosion
  • 1999: Merseburger Zaubersprüche
  • 2000: Vollmond
  • 2001: Unter dem Meer
  • 2001: Wind
  • 2003: Küss mich
  • 2003: Erdbeermund
  • 2005: Nur ihr allein – released in three versions
  • 2005: Horizont
  • 2006: Liam
  • 2008: Frei zu sein
  • 2008: Neues Glück
  • 2011: Zigeunerskat
  • 2011: Siehst du das Licht
  • 2011: Viva la vida
  • 2013: Feuertaufe
  • 2015: Loreley
  • 2016: Sternhagelvoll
  • 2020: Troja
  • 2020: Wintermärchen
  • 2020: ''Schenk nochmal ein''

Music videos

This Corrosion Vollmond Wind Küss mich Erdbeermund Nur ihr allein Horizont Liam, official live music video Frei zu sein Zigeunerskat Viva la vida Siehst du das Licht Feuertaufe Loreley Sternhagelvoll Störtebeker Lieb Vaterland, magst ruhig sein Troja Kompass zur Sonne
  • ''Schenk nochmal ein''

Video games

Gothic : The band, recreated in the game, was shown to play the acoustic version of "Herr Mannelig" in-game during the second chapter. In the international English release, the scene was removed for licensing issues, even in the digital releases. A mod can restore the cameo.

Appearances

  • "I Walk Alone", In Extremo Remix
  • "Meridian", from the EP Meridian - featuring Michael Robert Rhein
  • "Murter", from the album Oyka! - featuring Michael Robert Rhein