Artist: In Extremo
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 3/7/00
|
|
Title: Verehrt Und Angespien (Worshipped and Spat At) Artist: In Extremo Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 3/7/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
3 | ||
|
1 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Damn, I just don't know what the hell to say about this one. I'm not really sure how to categorize this, and as far as comparing them to other bands, well that's pretty much an impossibility as well. I guess the closest thing is maybe Rammstein, but that may be partly because of the fact that all of the lyrics are in German (either that or the singer is having a severe phlegm problem). But the truth is, this band is of a much higher caliber than Rammstein, and comparisons between the two are, for the most part, futile. While not as techno-driven as that comparison may infer, they do utilize a pounding beat that, in many cases, one could dance to. I do find it hard to get into this band, however, because it's so far out there. The vocals are spouted out in an awkward fashion over the music, and at times the sheer pomp of it all comes across as comical. Visions of a whole bunch of beer swilling, fat men with handlebar mustaches drinking at the local Octoberfest spring into mind once the singer enters his cadence. That isn't to say that this is without any saving graces. If you can embrace the eccentricity of the whole affair, or at least tolerate it, there are some cool riffs throughout this disc. They get quite heavy at times, and are quite fun, in an over-the-top kind of way. The lyrics are deep rooted in political and social awareness, or at least that's what I'm making up because I don't have a fucking clue as to what they're saying. Bottom line is that I really don't know what to make of this band. I enjoy listening to them for short periods of time, but I laugh at them at the same time. My suggestion for listening is to get extremely drunk right before you put the disc on, and use it as a makeshift German lesson. Try to piss off your neighbors by belting out the lyrics at the top of your lungs. I tacked on an extra skull for originality and the fact that it has a tendency to grow on you whether you want it to or not.
"Visions of a whole bunch of beer swilling, fat men with handlebar mustaches drinking at the local Octoberfest spring into mind once the singer enters his cadence."
Death's Review:
Unless you count Pig Latin or Bullshit, I'm most assuredly not bilingual. And since I'm writing in English, it logically follows that I do not speak German. Which means that when I'm listening to In Extremo, I'm hearing gibberish. Lyrics like, "Ooomba, oom, ooomba oom. Kuumba Oom Ooomba koom" ("Merseburger"). Funny shit like that. Weird thing is, it kinda works.
I like the bagpipes. They add a kinda Braveheart-type, somber funeral vibe at most of the right parts. More importantly, In Extremo sport some chunky sick metallic riffing (I like the main riff in "Pavane," and the first riff in "Weiberfell"). And let's face it, barking in German will always sound more metal than barking in English.
"In Extremo is mostly too far afield for Jane and Johnny Metalhead out there." Still, most of this record, like, for instance, "Herr Manellia," meanders too much in "half-assed world" to ever truly connect with me. It's more than just a language barrier here. I just don't feel it. The musical vibe lacks attack and has no real bite. "Lethargic medieval wandering minstrels" come to mind. Not something I really want to spend that much time thinking about, to tell you the truth.
In Extremo is mostly too far afield for Jane and Johnny Metalhead out there. But if you think you'd like European, folkish power metal aesthetics combined with sharp, buzz-thrash style guitar riffing pounding away underneath, sung in German, then In Extremo may be just the nonconformists you're looking for.
Rating Revised for Metal Judgment Anniversary
Hel's Review:
There is one major problem with this album. Bagpipes. To me, bagpipes are the Scottish version of country music. Perpetually off-key and grating, there’s just something about bagpipes that I never got. Early on, I was tempted to get this review over with quickly, so I could ditch the bagpipes and move on to other things. But, I realized, that would hardly be fair, so onward I pressed.I will be seeing In Extremo live this weekend at the March Metal Meltdown and I expect that they will put on an amazing show. In anticipation of that, I reminded myself that I must very forcibly put any early misgivings aside and try to be somewhat objective. After a few more listens, I was able to re-calibrate my perspective and the first thing that came to mind was, again, if it wasn’t for those damn bagpipes... But at least now I could tell you about the things going on behind the bagpipes that I liked.
There are certainly great things about this record. First and foremost, if you are a fan of music that sets a mood, you’re in luck. Even though I don’t speak German, I can tell these are some powerful lyrics. And if not, then they do a great job of making nonsense sound serious. So, because of the language issue, there’s something lacking for me here. As I try to get past this hurdle, I note that the musicians are all talented, even the bagpipe players, despite my avowed hatred of the instrument.
"The musicians are all talented, even the bagpipe players, despite my avowed hatred of the instrument." Several of the songs are catchy, I find myself singing along with the few words that sound familiar, particularly during "Santa Maria". I also love the use of the band name in the song lyrics, such as in "In Extremo" and the first track on the album, whose title I won’t mangle here. Certainly, the vocals have a different tone to them because of the language, so it is difficult for me to guage the quality of the singing. However, it suits the music and therefore works, when in any other combination I would avow that this guy sucks! In this context, it’s great and I walk away humming the chorus of the acoustic bonus track at the end of the album (which I also refuse to mangle).
All in all, a quality release if you can take the time. I’m sure it would be a far different experience for me if I did speak German, and I assume a better one. But, if you can get past the language barrier and any issues you might have about bagpipes, you might really dig it. In the end, I find that I do, and I’m psyched to see them live.
Rating Revised for Metal Judgment Anniversary
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.