[.ca] Weckt Die Toten

See The Wolf:
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! ...

Metal and bagpipes. By darn it works!:
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!

Heil In Extremo!:
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

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

An dramatic and original masterpiece:
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.

• Ai Vis Lo Lop
• Stella Splendens
• Hiemali Tempore
• Rotes Haar
• Villeman Og Magnhild
• Como Poden
• Palastinalieo
• Vor Vollen Schiisseh
• Maria Virgin (Quem a Amagen da Virgin)
• Totus Flireo
• Der Galgen
• Two Sostra