Customer Reviews

Weckt Die Toten

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I heard that In Extremo combined metal with bagpipes, I was intrigued enough to pick this up on a whim. And I'm glad I did because I enjoy every single song on this disc. As metal goes, the riffs are fairly basic, but catchy. And when they play bagpipes over the riffs in place of lead guitars, the whole thing takes on a new dimension. It's almost mesmerizing. The fact that they sing in German instead of English is totally inconsequential. You'll find yourself trying to sing along despite the language barrier. On the whole, this is a surprisingly accessible disc.

The only reason I stopped short of giving it five stars is because I can't help but think that the ultimate bagpipe/metal album has yet to be made (and keep in mind I haven't yet laid my hands on their follow-up, "Verehrt Und Angespien"). As much as the catchy simplicity of the music is a strength, it's also a weakness. I'd expect the efforts of seven musicians to result in a richer, fuller sound with more complicated interaction between the instruments. That doesn't really happen on this disc. Still, it's only a small complaint since the disc is so enjoyable to listen to as it is. If you like In Extemo's mix of metal and medieval folk, also check out Skyclad, Finntroll, Vintersorg, and Agressor. Wake the dead!

In Extremo is by far the most popular of the Mediaeval cross-genre groups out there. A lot of people who are into In Extremo (mostly outside of Europe) that I talk to aren't aware of the major "NeoMediaeval" music scene dominating the European underground. If you like In Extremo check out Die Verbannten Kinder Evas, Tanzwut, Corvus Corax, Finisterra, Hekate, Antichrisis, und Hagalaz Runedance (those are just some of the more popular artists). Also check out Germany's record label Zoomshot/Angelwings for fantastic compilations

Holy macaroni, this CD by In Extremo is HOT -- I was pretty much basting in my own juices listening to this here mix of rough and ready heavy metal riffage and medieval instruments 'n' blowey-thingees. I'm a deep down sucker for ye olde tunes done in a folk-rock stylee, but this is something else! It all kicks off mighty fine with 'Ai Vis Lo Lop,' a tune I know from Breton music...The power chords crunch, and the bass and drums and pipes kick this monster into another realm altogether: yeah, it's metal, but it's a sexy beast of metal. 'Weckt die Toten!' is a very spare sounding record; In Extremo's next ('Worshipped and Spat At') is more produced. But on this here CD, you get one of the best miked spittings of all time, as the lead singer winds up and hucks one during a tune! ...

Hmm...Is it metal? Is it Medieval? I dunno, But It's quite good (To me anyway). Having had it up to my eyelids with Pop-stars and Rap/Metal I found this bag-pipe laden Lowenbrau-drinking music palate-cleansing. I do not, however, recommend listening to this album while chemically afflicted because the carpet turns into a giant two-headed wolf and tries to eat you. Anyway, It's better than the second album, entertaining, and certainly not something that the radio will overplay until you hate a perfectly good song (ie: Du Hast).

When first I listened to this In Extremo album, I did not like it very much: it seemed too rough, too noisy, pretty much too loud. Listening again a few months later, it sounded better already. I bought it. Now it is one of my favourites. You get accustomed, no, addicted to the music of "The Last Unicorn" (vocals), Dr Pymonte, Yellow Pfeiffer and Flex the Flexible (all bagpipes), Thomas the Minter (guitar), The Lutter (bass) and the Morningstar (drums). This is a milestone in the Medieval-Meets-Metal Genre. However, also check out the successor album, "Verehrt und Angespien"!

Of the three In Extremo albums I have, this is my favorite. The songs are a little slower and tend more towards hard rock than on the other albums. Basically what you get is early metal style hard rock with bagpipes, and guttural, German sounding vocals. Supposedly the songs are all traditional from various cultures, and the musicians made their own bagpipes. Great for dancing around the bonfire.

The concept of In Extremo--A bunch of guys dressed in butcher's apprentice costumes playing bagpipes, flutes and shawns to heavy metal guitars--seems silly. But it pays off...the result is melodic, heavy and beautiful. This is stuff to get into if you like Nile, Cradle Of Filth, Burzum, or Alchemist. One of the best albums I ever bought.

This In Extremo album has a more folksy element to it than their later realeases. Listening to this type of music makes you want to get up and dance a meery jig of sorts and bang your head at the same time like on the song Como Poden. The majority of the songs are sung in dead languages and only a few are done in german. Some people might think that medievel rock might suck but they will think differntly about it after hearing these guys. So in short I would recommend this cd to anyone who likes rock whether or not it has medievel instruments thrown in because either way you'll like it.

This is a great CD. I love the way In Extremo combine Bagpipes and other "folk" type insturments with somewhat heavy guitar!

One of the finest metal e-zines gave this album all of 0 out of 10 points accusing this group of being clowns who play anything but metal. It may be a first for me, but I heartily disagree with them for once. This album is difficult to review because In Extremo has tried to generate a new musical style with their music. They play medieval minstrel melodies with a definite metallic edge. Not the modern, crunchy, speed metal style of metal. There are distorted guitars accompanying the music, and the vocal delivery definitely reminds one of metal. My opinion is that it succeeds overall, but I have an impression that it is a bit of a gimmick. On the other hand, I hope that the band fleshes out its style to make something that is In Extremo and not "just" medieval tunes with a distorted guitar, drums and metal vocals.