In Extremo

Biography

In Extremo (Latin for "At the Edge") 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.

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 (stage name: Das letzte Einhorn) on 11 April 1995.
The original members included Thomas der Münzer (guitar), Der Morgenstern (drums), and Die Lutter (bass guitar). Most members performed under stage names, including Das letzte Einhorn (vocals), Flex der Biegsame (bagpipes), Dr. Pymonte (bagpipes), Conny Fuchs (who left before the first official release due to pregnancy, and was replaced by Dr. Pymonte), and Sen Pusterbalg (later replaced by Yellow Pfeiffer). 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×Sterneneisen24 February 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Zigeunerskat4:302Gold3:153Viva la Vida3:364Siehst du das Licht4:185Stalker4:036Hol die Sterne4:057Sterneneisen3:108Zauberspruch No. VII3:549Auge um Auge4:1810Schau zum Mond3:4111Unsichtbar3:4812Ich vermiss dich3:52, Kunstraub×Kunstraub27 September 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Der die Sonne schlafen schickt3:562Wege ohne Namen4:213Lebemann3:214Himmel und Hölle3:555Gaukler3:516Kunstraub3:227Feuertaufe3:268Du und ich3:299Doof3:4910Alles schon gesehen3:2811Belladonna4:0012Die Beute3:4013Bunter Vogel4:3714Meie Din4:30Disc 21Making Of45:00, Quid Pro Quo×Quid Pro Quo24 June 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Störtebeker3:342Roter Stern3:323Quid Pro Quo3:064Pikse Palve3:415Lieb Vaterland, magst ruhig sein5:166Flaschenteufel4:217Dacw 'Nghariad4:188Moonshiner4:129Glück auf Erden2:5410Чёрный ворон (Schwarzer Rabe)3:4411Sternhagelvoll4:03, Kompass zur Sonne×Kompass zur Sonne7 May 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Troja3:322Kompass zur Sonne3:293Lügenpack3:434Gogiya4:085Salva Nos4:056Schenk noch mal ein4:567Saigon & Bagdad3:588Narrenschiff4:439Wer kann segeln ohne Wind3:4910Reiht euch ein ihr Lumpen3:3611Biersegen4:1012Wintermärchen3:43137 Brüder3:5714Saigon und Bagdad (Club Mix)3:53, and Wolkenschieber×Wolkenschieber6 September 2024 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Wolkenschieber3:012Weckt die Toten (2024 Version)3:493Katzengold3:274Ólafur3:175Unser Lied3:536Feine Seele4:097Blutmond3:538Des Wahnsinns fette Beute4:249Geschenkt ist geschenkt3:2410Aus Leben gemacht4:1911Komm lass die Welt sich weiterdrehen4:0112Terra Mater4:3213Schweine4:0814Das Totenschiff3:13—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×Herr Mannelig1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Herr Mannelig4:00" from the album Verehrt und angespien×Verehrt und angespienJuly 1999 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Merseburger Zaubersprüche4:292Ich kenne alles3:073Herr Mannelig4:574Pavane5:015Spielmannsfluch3:426Weiberfell4:307Miss Gordon of Gight2:128Werd ich am Galgen hochgezogen3:509This Corrosion4:0210Santa Maria4:3011Vänner och Frände4:0012In Extremo4:3013Herr Mannelig (acoustic version)3:08, 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. In the 2026 published video game Gothic 1 Remake the band reappeared again.
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×Küss mich22 May 2003 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Küss mich (radio mix)4:122Küss mich4:173Küss mich (Clawfinger remix)3:564Königin4:15" (transl. Kiss Me). However, they accepted a further invitation to Top of the Pops in 2005 and played "Nur ihr allein×Nur ihr allein17 May 2005 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Nur ihr allein3:542Spielmann3:303Captus est3:29" (transl. Only You Alone).
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 (German)".

Performances

The band's largest public appearance was opening for the farewell tour of Böhse Onkelz in June 2005, with about 120,000 spectators.

Reception

The first In Extremo album that attracted attention was Verehrt und angespien×Verehrt und angespienJuly 1999 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Merseburger Zaubersprüche4:292Ich kenne alles3:073Herr Mannelig4:574Pavane5:015Spielmannsfluch3:426Weiberfell4:307Miss Gordon of Gight2:128Werd ich am Galgen hochgezogen3:509This Corrosion4:0210Santa Maria4:3011Vänner och Frände4:0012In Extremo4:3013Herr Mannelig (acoustic version)3:08 (transl. Worshipped and Spat At), achieving 11th place in the German album charts. The subsequent album, Sünder ohne Zügel×Sünder ohne Zügel3 September 2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Wind4:262Krummavísur3:493Lebensbeichte4:404Merseburger Zaubersprüche II4:235Stetit Puella4:056Vollmond4:017Die Gier3:478Omnia Sol Temperat4:159Le ’or Chiyuchech3:1110Der Rattenfänger4:1511Óskasteinar3:2512Nature Nous Semont4:3313Unter dem Meer5:1314Vollmond4:02 (transl. Unbridled Sinners), reached 10th place. Their album 7, peaked at number 3 of the German album charts. The video of the single "Küss mich×Küss mich22 May 2003 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Küss mich (radio mix)4:122Küss mich4:173Küss mich (Clawfinger remix)3:564Königin4:15" was frequently shown on German music television.
The band's eighth album, Mein rasend Herz×Mein rasend Herz30 May 2005 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Raue See4:292Horizont3:393Wessebronner Gebet4:264Nur ihr allein3:555Fontaine la jolie4:386Macht und Dummheit4:137Tannhuser3:098Liam3:499Rasend Herz4:0510Singapur3:5411Poc Vecem4:3712Spielmann3:3113Liam (German version)3:54 (transl. My Racing Heart), achieved third place on the album charts in 2005. Three singles were published from this album: "Nur ihr allein×Nur ihr allein17 May 2005 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Nur ihr allein3:542Spielmann3:303Captus est3:29" (transl. Only You Alone) on 17 May 2005, "Horizont×Horizont12 September 2005 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Horizont3:392Spielmanns Wiederkehr3:263Captus Est (live von der Burgentour)3:484Rasend Herz (live von der Burgentour)4:17" (transl. Horizon) on 12 September 2005, and "Liam (German)" 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×Sängerkrieg9 May 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Sieben Köche2:572Sängerkrieg3:563Neues Glück3:254En esta noche4:035Mein Sehnen4:136Flaschenpost4:057Requiem3:588Frei zu sein3:359Zauberspruch4:0710In diesem Licht4:4511Tanz mit mir4:0712An End Has a Start3:5313Mein liebster Feind4:1114Auf's Leben4:19Disc 21Making Of Sängerkrieg9:352Innenansichten9:503In Extremo auf dem Wacken Open Air 200658:23 (transl. Singers' War) 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.

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 (e.g., "Wessebronner Gebet"), Benedictine writings (e.g., "Raue See"), or are arrangements of traditional songs (e.g., "Merseburger Zaubersprüche×Merseburger Zaubersprüche20 September 1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Merseburger Zaubersprüche (radio mix)3:412Merseburger Zaubersprüche (remixed by Dreizack/Turnstyle)5:103Herr Mannelig4:594Merseburger Zaubersprüche4:27", "Tannhuser", "Poc Vecem"). The band also frequently uses songs from the Carmina Burana, as well as the poetry of François Villon ("Rotes Haar" and "Erdbeermund×Erdbeermund22 September 2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Erdbeermund4:062In Taberna Gloria6:13"; translated into German by Paul Zech).

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

Michael Robert Rhein (Das letzte Einhorn/The Last Unicorn) – vocals, cittern, harp, darbuka, davul, binioù, guitar, piccolo, harmonica (1995–present)
Marco Ernst-Felix Zorzytzky (Flex der Biegsame/Flex the Flexible) – German bagpipes, shawm, flute, uilleann pipes, hurdy-gurdy (1995–present)
Kay Lutter (Die Lutter) – bass, marine trumpet, timpani (1995–present)
André Strugala (Dr. Pymonte) – German bagpipes, shawm, flute, harp, marine trumpet, tsymbaly, sampler, FX (1996–present)
Sebastian Oliver Lange (Van Lange) – guitar, cittern (1999–present)
Florian Speckardt (Specki T.D.) – drums, percussion (2010–present)
Former

Conny Fuchs (Die Rote Füchsin/The Red Fox) – German bagpipes (1995–1996)
Mathias Aring (Sen Pusterbalg) – German bagpipes (1995–1997)
Thomas Mund (Thomas der Münzer/Thomas the Coiner) – guitar (1995–1999)
Reiner Morgenroth (Der Morgenstern/The Morning Star) – drums, percussion, timpani, frame drum (1995–2010)
Boris Pfeiffer (Yellow Pfeiffer/Yellow Piper) – German bagpipes, shawm, flute, nyckelharpa (1997–2021); died 2022
Timeline

Singles

1996: Ai vis lo lop (Occitan: Ai vist lo lop, "I Saw the Wolf") (cassette)
1997: In Extremo (Der Galgen)
1998: Ai vis lo lop Vocal-Remix
1999: This Corrosion (promo maxi CD)
1999: Merseburger Zaubersprüche ("Merseburg Incantations") (promo maxi CD)
2000: Vollmond ("Full Moon")
2001: Unter dem Meer ("Below the Sea") (promo maxi CD)
2001: Wind (promo maxi CD)
2003: Küss mich ("Kiss Me")
2003: Erdbeermund ("Strawberry Mouth")
2005: Nur ihr allein ("Only You Alone") – released in three versions
2005: Horizont ("Horizon")
2006: Liam (German version)
2008: Frei zu sein ("To Be Free")
2008: Neues Glück ("New Luck")
2011: Zigeunerskat ("Gypsy Skat")
2011: Siehst du das Licht ("Do You See the Light")
2011: Viva la vida ("Live Life")
2013: Feuertaufe ("Baptism by Fire")
2015: Loreley (20th Anniversary Song)
2016: Sternhagelvoll ("Blotto")
2020: Troja ("Troy")
2020: Wintermärchen ("Winter Fable")
2020: Schenk nochmal ein

Video games

Gothic (2001, Windows): The band, recreated in the game, was shown to play the acoustic version of "Herr Mannelig×Herr Mannelig1999 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Herr Mannelig4:00" 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" (Tarja), In Extremo Remix
"Meridian" (Manntra), from the EP Meridian (2017) - featuring Michael Robert Rhein
"Murter" (Manntra), from the album Oyka! (2019) - featuring Michael Robert Rhein