Groundbreaking Norwegian metal. They have been around since 1994. Extol play a technical death metal form with black metal tendencies. Their sound is quite unique, and the nearest comparison would be Death meets Nevermore meets Dimmu Borgir?!

BURIAL (1998) END TIME PRODUCTION

This is the debut full length album from the mighty Extol. I must confess I didn't care much for this album at first. I couldn't find the structure (which probably is the meaning with this kind of technical music). But after I bought the Mesmerized EP things took off. I listened to it more intensely, and new gates opened. This is by far one of the best metal bands around these days. No other Christian band can touch them, and very few secular band either. But although 'Burial' breaks ground, better things were to come. "Jesus Kom Til Jorden For Å Dø" is a cover of Ole Børud's father's old gospel band!!

Killer tracks: Burial, Embraced

MESMERIZED (1999) END TIME PRODUCTION (EP)

Very cool EP with 3 Extol tracks, and 3 industrial remixes. "Enthralled" is a brand new track, "The Prodigal Son" was a bonus track on the Japanese version of 'Burial' and "Storms Of Disillusions" is an older track never before released. The remixes are not so interesting though.

UNDECEIVED (2000) END TIME PRODUCTIONS

Extol best work so far. Not as brutal as 'Burial', but more balanced and well-played. This is technical death meets black metal at it's best! Check this band out if you already haven't. 'Undeceived' should convince you. A MUST!! My version is a digi-pack limited to 1000 ex.

Killer tracks: Undeceived, Renewal, Ember

PARALYSIS (2001) END TIME PRODUCTIONS

As 'Mesmerized' was a follow-up EP to 'Burial', 'Paralysis' is the follow-up to 'Undeceived'. This 4-track EP is again a killer release, and is supposedly only released in Sweden. I bought it through Nordic Mission (check out my links-page). "Shadow Of Death" is a cool cover of Believer.

SYNERGY (2003) CENTURY MEDIA

Extol's first release on a major label sees them venturing into the realms of thrash metal. They still sound like Extol, mind you, as the varied vocals and the neck-breaking technicalities are still very much present. Imagine a cross between 'Undeceived' and Believer's 'Dimensions' and you'll get a picture of what to expect. I for one applaud this change, and I find 'Synergy' to be their finest album to date. Finally they have a good production to back up their excellent talent for writing complex metal. It all sound much more thought through than before. I can think of no other band quite like Extol. BUY!

Killer tracks: Grace For Succession, Paradigms, Aperture, Nihilism 2002

BLUEPRINT (2005) CENTURY MEDIA

First entitled 'Gloriana', then 'The Blueprint Dives', ending up with only 'Blueprint', here is Extol's 4th album. Not only have 2 key members been replaced, but also their musical perspective is quite different too. Gone are the Believer thrash worship from 'Synergy', and most of the death/black references from their first 2 albums. One thing that is intact though is the bands excellent songwriting! There is almost no other bands on the planet more skilled in writing technical metal nowadays. Some call it flirting with metalcore, even taking it as far as saying that they might as well have released this under the Benea Reach moniker. But to me this is first and foremost a CD filled with stellar material. It might be a different, but no one can deny the fact that "Gloriana", "In Reversal" and "The Things I Found" are brilliant tunes! I mean, just listen to the overall feel of 'Blueprint'. It's almost impossible to categorize, with the jazz/prog/technical metal flow. So I applaud this band for not getting stuck in old ideas, but rather manage to renew themselves without loosing their musical soul. I bought the limited edition of the album, with blue jewel case, and a bonus track.

Killer tracks: Gloriana, In Reversal, Pearl, The Things I Found, Void

Related artists:

Schaliach, Lengsel, Absurd²