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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.
In Extremo began as two separate projects: an unnamed acoustic medieval group and an electronic rock band.[1][2] The project was founded by Michael Robert "Micha" Rhein (stage name: Das letzte Einhorn) on 11 April 1995.[3][4]
The original members included Thomas der Münzer (guitar), Der Morgenstern (drums), and Die Lutter (bass guitar). Most members performed under stage names,[5] 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 Sen Pusterbalg (later replaced by Yellow Pfeiffer).[6] As of 2000, guitarist Van Lange replaced Thomas der Münzer. Many members played multiple instruments and often rotated roles between songs.[5]
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.[2] 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.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9][10]
Over time, the band’s sound shifted toward heavier metal influences while continuing to incorporate traditional instruments such as bagpipes, shawms, and lutes.
Performance style and image
In Extremo on stage
Since its early years, live performance has been a central element of In Extremo's identity. The band initially gained visibility through performances at medieval markets and historical venues, including castles.
The group is known for its distinctive stage presentation, including medieval-inspired costumes and the use of pyrotechnics during concerts.[1] 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.
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.[11]
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,[12]Quid Pro Quo,[13] and Kompass zur Sonne[14] each achieved number-one positions for a period.
In July 2020, In Extremo performed an online livestream concert as part of Wacken World Wide.[15]
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.[16] Due to licensing restrictions, the performance is only included in the German version of the game.[17]
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" (transl.Kiss Me). However, they accepted a further invitation to Top of the Pops in 2005 and played "Nur ihr allein" (transl.Only You Alone).
At the same time, the band's audience grew with live appearances from marketplaces to festivals like Rock am Ring, the Taubertal Festival, and the Nova Rock in Austria. Their largest public appearance was opening for the farewell tour of Böhse Onkelz in June 2005, with about 120,000 spectators.
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)". Beforehand, they had introduced themselves on 2 February on the television show TV total.
In Extremo also played in 2006 at the Wacken Open Air, as well as at the M'era Luna Festival in Hildesheim. At the end of the year, they played their "10 Year Anniversary Tour" in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Success
The first In Extremo album that attracted attention was Verehrt und angespien (transl.Worshipped and Spat At), achieving 11th place in the German album charts. The subsequent album, Sünder ohne Zügel (transl.Unbridled Sinners), reached 10th place.
The band had further success with the album 7, peaking at number 3 on the German album charts. The video of the single "Küss mich" was frequently shown on German music television.[citation needed]
The eighth album, Mein rasend Herz[18] (transl.My Racing Heart), achieved third place on the album charts in 2005.[19] Three singles were published from this album: "Nur ihr allein" (transl.Only You Alone) on 17 May 2005, "Horizont" (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. In addition, the 7 and Raue Spree achieved gold status in early 2007.[citation needed][20]
The ninth album Sängerkrieg[21] (transl.Singers' War) went to first place on the album charts of Germany on 23 May 2008.[22] In Austria, it reached the 13th place, and in Switzerland, the 22nd place. In Germany, it was the 50th best-selling album of 2008.[citation needed][23]
Instruments
Besides the electric guitar, bass, and drum set, In Extremo uses instruments of predominantly medieval origin. They include hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, Uilleann Pipes, shawm, nyckelharpa, harp, cittern, tromba marina, hammered dulcimer, Klangbaum, and various types of drums and percussion. Bagpipes are the most common of these instruments, as Dr. Pymonte, Yellow Pfeiffer (until 2021), 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".[5]
Their bagpipes were partially made by Dr. Pymonte but were also partially built by a well-known pipe builder. The band also uses a custom-built frame drum covered in zebra skin, called "Das Pferd" ("The Horse"). Most of the other acoustic instruments, such as their shawms, are only made by a few other instrument builders.[citation needed]
Style and lyrics
Singer Michael Robert Rhein a.k.a. "Das letzte Einhorn"
The band is known for drawing lyrics from poetry and music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Many of the lyrics to 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", "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"; translated into German by Paul Zech).
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
Music videos
This Corrosion (1999, directed by Stephan Vollmer)
Vollmond (2000, directed by Heiner Thimm)
Wind (2001, directed by Heiner Thimm)
Küss mich (2003, directed by Uwe Flade)
Erdbeermund (2003, directed by Uwe Flade)
Nur ihr allein (2005, directed by Jörn Heitmann)
Horizont (2005 or 2006, directed by David Incorvaia)
Liam, official live music video (2006, directed by Uwe Flade)
Frei zu sein (2008, directed by Sharon Berkal)
Zigeunerskat (2011)
Viva la vida (2011)
Siehst du das Licht (2011)
Feuertaufe (2013)
Loreley (20th Anniversary Song) (2015)
Sternhagelvoll (2016)
Störtebeker (2016)
Lieb Vaterland, magst ruhig sein (2016)
Troja (2020)
Kompass zur Sonne (2020)
Schenk nochmal ein (2020)
Video games
Gothic (2001, Windows): 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,[29] even in the digital releases. A mod can restore the cameo.
↑Lesedauer, <img alt='Avatar-Foto' src='https://time-for-metal eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/K R.-Kopie-50x50 jpg' srcset='https://time-for-metal eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/K R.-Kopie-100x100 jpg 2x' class='avatar avatar-50 photo' height='50' width='50' decoding='async' />Kai R. ·News·4 Minuten (6 August 2021). "In Extremo: Frontmann Michael Robert Rhein feiert 40-jähriges Bühnenjubiläum". Time For Metal - Das Metal Magazin & Metal Podcast (in German). Retrieved 3 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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