In Extremo on DeBaser: folk metal, bagpipes, and gothic grit

In Extremo

Musical Group

Forfans of folk/medieval metal, german rock listeners, and curious goths who enjoy bagpipes with their riffs.
2 Reviews 1 Definitions 1 Charts

The Profile

In Extremo are a German medieval/folk metal band formed in the mid-1990s, known for fusing ancient instruments (bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, shawms) with heavy guitars and drums. Their early albums helped codify the modern medieval metal sound.

German medieval/folk metal band from Berlin; active since 1995; seven-piece noted in early 2000s; integrates bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, shawms with electric guitar and drums; key early releases include Weckt die Toten! (1998), Verehrt und Angespien (1999), and Sünder ohne Zügel (2001); songs like "Vollmond" and adaptations from Carmina Burana are widely recognized.

Two reviews trace In Extremo’s early folk/medieval metal blueprint, focusing on Verehrt und Angespien and Sünder ohne Zügel. Themes include bagpipes, gothic tinges, and a balance of originals, traditionals, and Orff-derived pieces. Highlights cited: Herr Mannelig, Omnia Sol Temperat, Wind, Vollmond, and a bold This Corrosion cover. Overall verdict: robust, melodic, and foundational for the genre.

Notable Quotes

❝ One of the most iconic folk metal bands, among the first to conceive it in this way, which is neither close to viking nor to Korpiklaani.

❝ In Extremo are, admittedly, very skilled at alternating original pieces, songs of popular origin, carmina burana, without compromising the uniformity of the album.