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Thanks Brendan, I haven't found that video.. ..

but thanks to pythagtemp and throck, it is settled what the 9 words are.

Impressive setting.

Should I be chasing the ones responsible?

It's been raining non-stop for two days, perhaps I will take a break.

Well, I still haven't solved 7D and 11A but I finally figured out the whole theme.

I had done much of the right hand side but little of the left when the grid revealed a phrase which instantly made me think of a legendary 1980s rap group - a red herring which I see others also picked up on. Having the phrase made solving easier. But ultimately, I had to Google for 14 16 from Jan 2006 and there was an obvious candidate for the 9 word theme. The extra words in the clues confirmed it.

Hi Boson,

7d - 3 letter "with" + 2 letter "energy" (although I'd say a case could be made that it can also imply "stamina"!) - definition is "runner" but one has to keep in mind this is a cryptic so 'runner' can refer to different things.

11a - "knight + word from the clue and lastly 2 letter "Germany's rather" - definition is "killer"

One of those puzzles that goes from completely impenetrable and seemingly hopelessly clunky to entirely clear and brilliantly constructed in a loudly clanging pdm. Many thanks to Claw

Well said Jack.

Thanks to Claw and thanks again to Jono for providing us with an interactive grid, it's always very much appreciated:-)

Thanks Brendan. I had suspected those were the answers but wasn't ready to commit in particular for 7D as it seemed a bit tenuous.

I have to admit to zero knowledge of the thematic material (give me obscure renaissance polyphony, though...) and haven't attempted to identify the "hints as to who was responsible" - any clues welcome!

Looking at it some more, "extremely" helpful in the rubric instructs us to look at the extremes in the grid and the words.....

An absolute tour de force. Thanks Claw

I only realized after finishing the puzzle that there are 2 facets to the extra words. I had just looked at one facet. Impressive puzzle craftsmanship!