Germany's In Extremo will bring its medieval heavy metal spectacle to the States for three shows in March before heading south of the border for two shows in Mexico.

Drawing heavily on the fashion, weaponry, and instrumentation of the Middle Ages, the seven-piece band has become a top ten seller in its native land and plans to bring the mayhem Stateside with "Vereht Und Angespien" which hits stores on March 7.

Bagpipes wail and flutes waft as guitars churn on the album, which is recorded entirely in German save for a cover of Sisters Of Mercy's "This Corrosion." In Extremo describes the result, simply, as "medieval music combined with rock elements.

The group's stage show, which will hit New Jersey's March Metal Meltdown and Texas' South By Southwest next month, has become the stuff of legend in Germany. The band marries its riffs to dancing bagpipers, fire-breathing, and sword

fights in a show perhaps best described as German metal Renaissance Fair.

If you'd like to see for yourself, here's where to look:

• 3/11 - Pennsauken, NJ @ March Metal Meltdown
• 3/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky
• 3/18 - Austin, TX @ SXSW (at the Backroom)
• 3/24 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Hard Rock Live
• 3/25 - Guadalajara, Mexico @ Hard Rock Live