In Extremo (abbreviated InEx, or just IE) began as two projects: a nameless, purely medieval band, and a rock band. They became known at that time through frequent appearances at medieval market meetings, at which they performed their acoustic pieces and sold CDs of their renditions of traditional songs. On April 11, 1995, during the recording for that year's season, Michael Rhein (alias Das letzte Einhorn, engl. "The Last Unicorn") found the project name "In Extremo, "Latin for "At The Edge".
Most of the band members perform under stage names. The initial members of the medieval band were Das letzte Einhorn (engl. "The Last Unicorn," vocals), Flex der Biegsame (engl. "Flex the Flexible," bagpipes), Dr. Pymonte (bagpipes), Conny Fuchs (who left the band before the official release date, due to her pregnancy, and was replaced by Dr. Pymonte) and Sen Pusterbalg (replaced shortly after the official release by Yellow Pfeiffer, engl. "Yellow Piper," bagpipes). The rock band originally consisted of Thomas der Münzer (engl. "Thomas the Coiner," guitar), Der Morgenstern (engl. "The Morning Star," drums), and Die Lutter (engl. "The Lutter," bass guitar). Der Münzer subsequently left the band and, as of 2000, the band's guitarist is Van Lange (engl. "The Long One"). As noted below, almost all of the band members play multiple instruments.
The increasing number of visitors, success of their CDs, and the popular interest, as well as cross-pollination from groups such as Corvus Corax and Bathory, encouraged In Extremo in 1995 to attempt to start a band combining bagpipes and other traditional instruments with rock guitars. The result was the current incarnation of In Extremo, a rock group that integrates modern instruments like the drum set, electric bass and guitar with the acoustic elements previously used for the medieval songs, and which plays both types of music as well as a hybrid of the two.[1]
In August 1996, they began work on the first In Extremo album, which already contained two tracks of the new rock project. Because the album had no official name, it became known as Gold because of the golden cover. In February 1997, like the single Der Galgen (engl. "The Gallows"), it quickly sold out in Medieval markets.
In Extremo played separately as a medieval and a rock band, until on March 29, 1997, when they played their first live rock concert. Since that time, they have given this date as their date of establishment. The two projects were officially merged on January 11, 1998. April 1998 saw the first "high occupancy" In Extremo concert in the Rabenstein castle in Brandenburg.
Over the years, their music became more heavy metal based, while at the same time becoming increasingly commercially successful. The classical instruments, however – bagpipes, shawms, and lutes – still play a large role. The band is likewise noted for their conspicuous stage costumes and known for using pyrotechnics in their concerts, including Der Morgenstern playing cymbals which have been set on fire.
On 26 February 2010 In Extremo announced that Der Morgenstern left the band because of musical differences via their homepage. On June 11, Florian "Specki T.D." Speckardt was announced as his replacement on drums. Since then, they have proceeded to release 3 albums: Sterneneisen, Kunstraub, and Quid Pro Quo, all of which have reached the top 10 in the German charts, with Sterneneisen and Quid Pro Quo both having number 1 positions for a time. Their 13th album, Kompass zur Sonne was released in May 2020.[2], but it was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 30th, 2020, they played an online livestream concert for Wacken World Wide.
GOLD
In Extremo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
wollten zwei sich Gold besorgen
Auf den Knien schürfend spülten
Sich dem Reichtum nahe fühlten
Bei Schnaps in Tassen schworen sie
Ewig sich die Treue
Gemeinsam wühlten sie wie Vieh
Einer hat gelogen, zeigte keine Reue
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Ich hoffe, dass du das erkennst
Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Weil es die Augen blendet
Den Sinn in Habgier tränkt
Weil es die Ehrfucht schändet
Statt Gutes Böses schenkt
Zu Füßen schimmert nun die Pracht
Die Sucht mir schon im Nacken thront
Jener Staub, der glücklich macht
Und all die Schufterei belohnt
Nun muss ich eilen, will nicht teilen
Steche ab mit spitzen Dolch
Begrab im Dreck gegangene Meilen
Und grinse böse wie ein Strolch
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Ich hoffe, dass du das erkennst
Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Weil es die Augen blendet
Den Sinn in Habgier tränkt
Weil es die Ehrfucht schändet
Statt Gutes Böses schenkt
Was einem das Leben mit Reichtum würzt
Den anderen hinab ins Verderben stürzt
Ein schmaler Grat dazwischen grenzt
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Ich hoffe, dass du das erkennst
Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Weil es die Augen blendet
Den Sinn in Habgier tränkt
Weil es die Ehrfucht schändet
Statt Gutes Böses schenkt
The song "Gold" by German Medieval rock band In Extremo tells a cautionary tale of the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth. The lyrics describe two individuals who venture into the forests of the north in search of gold. They work tirelessly, digging and sifting through the earth until they strike it rich. They celebrate with shots of liquor and swear eternal loyalty to one another. However, one of them eventually succumbs to the allure of wealth and betrays his partner, leaving him to suffer alone in the dirt. The chorus resounds with the message that not everything that shines is gold, and that the pursuit of riches can lead to ruin.
The imagery in the song is striking, as the lyrics use the backdrop of a forest to symbolize the mystical and often treacherous nature of wealth. The gold itself is represented as a dangerous substance that can not only blind one's vision but also corrupt one's soul. The song's message warns the listener that the pursuit of material wealth can lead to a path of destruction, and that true values such as loyalty and honesty should be treasured above all else.
Overall, "Gold" is a powerful song that urges listeners to reflect on their own values and question the true nature of wealth and prosperity.
Line by Line Meaning
Zwischen Tannen hoch im Norden
Two people went north to a forest to search for gold.
wollten zwei sich Gold besorgen
They wanted to obtain gold for themselves.
Auf den Knien schürfend spülten
They kneeled and sifted through dirt to find gold.
Sich dem Reichtum nahe fühlten
They felt close to wealth.
Bei Schnaps in Tassen schworen sie
They drank alcohol and made a vow of loyalty.
Ewig sich die Treue
They promised eternal faithfulness to each other.
Gemeinsam wühlten sie wie Vieh
They dug for gold together like animals.
Einer hat gelogen, zeigte keine Reue
One person lied and did not show remorse.
Es ist nicht alles Gold was glänzt
Not everything that shines is gold.
Ich hoffe, dass du das erkennst
I hope you understand this.
Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold
Repeated mention of gold.
Weil es die Augen blendet
Gold can blind your eyes.
Den Sinn in Habgier tränkt
It can cloud your judgement with greed.
Weil es die Ehrfucht schändet
It can disgrace your honor.
Statt Gutes Böses schenkt
It can give evil instead of good.
Zu Füßen schimmert nun die Pracht
The gold was found and it sparkled at their feet.
Die Sucht mir schon im Nacken thront
The thirst for more gold hung over them.
Jener Staub, der glücklich macht
The dust of gold made them happy.
Und all die Schufterei belohnt
Their hard work paid off.
Nun muss ich eilen, will nicht teilen
One person wants to hurry and not share the gold.
Steche ab mit spitzen Dolch
They are prepared to use violence to keep the gold.
Begrab im Dreck gegangene Meilen
They bury any remorse for their actions in the dirt.
Und grinse böse wie ein Strolch
They smile wickedly like a scoundrel.
Was einem das Leben mit Reichtum würzt
Wealth can spice up one's life.
Den anderen hinab ins Verderben stürzt
It can also lead others to ruin.
Ein schmaler Grat dazwischen grenzt
There is a thin line between the two outcomes.
Weil es die Ehrfucht schändet
Again, gold can tarnish one's honor.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.