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.
Lebensbeichte
In Extremo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In des Zornes Wehen
Bin aus leichtem Stoff gemacht
Muss wie Luft vergehen
Ohne Schiffer treibt mein Kahn
Auf des Meeres Spiegel
Niemals fesselt mich ein Band
Riegelt mich ein Riegel
Fand nur Sünder ohne Zügel
Zeigt der Sinn so wie ich wirklich bin
Lenkt der Sturm mich stets woanders hin
Trügt der Schein, ich kehre niemals heim
Am festen Band und bin dann doch allein
In der Schenke sink ich einst
Gern I'm Tode nieder
Und I'm Becher spiegelt sich
Noch mein Antlitz wieder
Mit der Jugend toll ich fort
Auf des Lasters Wegen
Engelschцre singen dann
Gib mir deinen Segen
Diesen Zecher schlag o Herr
Seiner Strafe wegen
Zeigt der Sinn ...
The lyrics to In Extremo's song Lebensbeichte tell a story about a wild heart that is constantly searching for its place in life. The singer describes themselves as being made of light material, like air, and therefore easily blown around by the winds of anger and emotion. The singer acknowledges that they are adrift on a sea without a guide, unable to be tethered by any bond or restraint. They seek out others who are like them, but only find sinners without boundaries or morals.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that they enjoy spending time in taverns and living a life of vice and pleasure. They acknowledge that they may never truly know themselves and that they are often led astray by the winds of desire and circumstance. They conclude the song with a plea for mercy and forgiveness from a higher power, recognizing that they will ultimately face judgment for their wayward ways.
Overall, the lyrics to Lebensbeichte are a meditation on the human condition and our desire for connection and meaning in a world that often seems chaotic and lacking in purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Schäume nur, mein wildes Herz
My heart, let your anger boil over and froth with fury.
In des Zornes Wehen
As the storm of anger rages within me.
Bin aus leichtem Stoff gemacht
I am fragile and easily moved by the slightest breeze.
Muss wie Luft vergehen
I must disappear like air and be forgotten.
Ohne Schiffer treibt mein Kahn
My ship sails without a captain to guide it.
Auf des Meeres Spiegel
It roams aimlessly on the sea's surface.
Niemals fesselt mich ein Band
No bond can restrain me.
Riegelt mich ein Riegel
Nor can any lock confine me.
Suchte meinesgleichen
I searched for someone like me.
Fand nur Sünder ohne Zügel
But all I found were sinners without discipline.
Zeigt der Sinn so wie ich wirklich bin
If my true nature is revealed,
Lenkt der Sturm mich stets woanders hin
The storm will always steer me in another direction.
Trügt der Schein, ich kehre niemals heim
If appearances deceive, I will never return to where I belong.
Am festen Band und bin dann doch allein
Even when bound by strong cords, I am still alone.
In der Schenke sink ich einst
One day, I will sink into a tavern.
Gern I'm Tode nieder
And there I will happily die.
Und I'm Becher spiegelt sich
My face will be reflected in a cup.
Noch mein Antlitz wieder
Still recognizable even in death.
Mit der Jugend toll ich fort
With reckless abandon, I frolic through my youth.
Auf des Lasters Wegen
Living a life of vice and sin.
Engelschöre singen dann
But even then, angelic voices will sing for me.
Gib mir deinen Segen
Grant me your blessing.
Diesen Zecher schlag o Herr
Punish this drunkard, oh Lord.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: . DP, REINER MORGENROTH, MARCO ZORZYTZKY, ANDRE STRUGALA, BORIS YELLOW PFEIFFER, KAY LUTTER, MICHAEL RHEIN, SEBASTIAN LANGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind