In Extremo

In Extremo are a popular German folk-metal band known for their medieval themes, instruments, and lyrics. Their music incorporates a standard heavy metal lineup of vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, in addition to medieval folk instruments, primarily bagpipes. Their songs are both originals and traditionals, the latter often in medieval languages such as Latin or archaic dialects of German. Furthermore, the bandmembers dress in medieval fashion and present themselves under alias names. Founded in 1995 in Berlin and formed over the course of the next two years, the band comprises Das Letzte Einhorn (born Michael Robert Rhein; vocals), Der Lange (Sebastian Oliver Lange; guitar), Die Lutter (Kay Lutter; bass), Der Morgenstern (Reiner Morgenstern; drums), Dr. Pymonte (André Strugala; bagpipes), Flex der Biegsame (Marco Ernst-Felix Zorzytzky; bagpipes), and Yellow Pfeiffer (Boris Pfeiffer; bagpipes); former members include Die Rote Füchsin (Conny Fuchs; bagpipes; 1995-1996), Thomas der Münzer (Thomas Mund; guitar; 1995-1999), and Sen Pusterbalg (bagpipes; 1995-1997). In Extremo made their recording debut in 1997 with the five-track single Der Galgen, followed by the full-length album debut Gold (aka In Extremo Gold; reissued with bonus tracks in 2006). Subsequent albums included 7 (2003), Mein Rasend Herz (2005), and Raue Spree 2005 (2006), all of which were Top Five hits on the German albums chart. The band also scored a series of modestly successful hit singles, most notably the Top 40 hits "Küss Mich" (2003) and "Nur Ihr Allein" (2005). In 2008 the group scored their first German number one album, with the release of Sängerkrieg. Citing musical differences, drummer Der Morgenstern departed in 2010, though the band continued on and released 2011's Sterneneisen, followed a year later by a live version of the album, 2012's Sterneneisen Live. The 2013 album Kunstraub introduced new drummer Florian "Specki T.D." Speckardt, and proved that the group's German fans were still behind them — the album peaked at number two on the German sales charts.