In Extremo

Formed in Berlin in 1995 around Michael Robert Rhein, In Extremo today comprises six musicians and grew out of two initially separate strands: an acoustic, medieval‑inspired ensemble and a rock project, which merged in the late 1990s. In Extremo situates its music at the crossroads of metal, folk rock and early‑music repertoires, with a central use of bagpipes, shawms, hurdy‑gurdies, harps or lutes alongside electric guitars, bass and drums. The first records — In Extremo, often called Gold, in 1997, then Hameln and Weckt die Toten! in 1998 — established this hybrid formula, continued by Verehrt und angespien (1999), Sünder ohne Zügel (2001) and 7 (2003). The lyrics alternate between contemporary German, adaptations of medieval sources and passages in Latin, Occitan or Old Norse, written in a style that mixes rock choruses with traditional motifs. Equally at home on medieval markets and in rock venues and festivals, In Extremo has maintained this dual identity across the albums Mein rasend Herz (2005), Sängerkrieg (2008), Sterneneisen (2011), Kunstraub (2013), Quid Pro Quo (2016), Kompass zur Sonne (2020) and Wolkenschieber (2024). Since 2010 Florian Speckardt has been the drummer.