German medieval metal band In Extremo live at Sonisphere festival 2011 in Basel, Switzerland
Bagpipes can only mean one thing. Bagpipes equals medieval metal, equals In Extremo. Ok, equals a lot of other bands, too, but In Extremo are undoubtedly something like the kings of that genre. That, and men in half-topless medieval-ish armor and their curious instruments (at last! no guitarists in the photo!) definitely count as eye candy…
More medieval stuff (and the band's logo in wood): In Extremo at Sonisphere festival 2011
Whenever I hear or see In Extremo, I wonder whether I should admire them for learning to play those instruments and learning medieval freaking languages (for their texts) or just simply declare them crazy. I guess I’ll go with admiring (hell I had to study Latin for 6 and a half years and I’ve forgotten most of it – sadly), and I’ll save the “you guys are just plain and simply nuts” for bands who write their lyrics in Elvish or Klingon.
German medieval metal band In Extremo live in concert at Sonisphere Festival 2011 in Basel
And honestly, I’m too scared to google for any bands that actually do that. The Klingon theme would make for great masks and stage props though – or maybe I got something wrong and that’s what Turisas were all about? Or GWAR. Though I heard GWAR don’t sing in Klingon (nor Elvish). Which leaves me with the question: Are there any bands that do this? Hit me with your YouTube links (only the ones which are safe to watch if you want to keep your hearing and seeing ability, please)!
Medieval harp solo with In Extremo at Sonisphere festival in Basel, Switzerland.