Extol 975524 224606024 2008-07-09T16:59:43Z J Milburn Bot 7423137 All Music Guide has now been rebranded to Allmusic {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | Name = Extol | Img = | Img_capt = | Img_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels --> | Landscape = | Background = group_or_band | Alias = | Origin = [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] | Instrument = | Genre = [[Melodic death metal]] <br/> [[Unblack metal]] | Years_active = 1993–present | Label = [[Endtime Productions]] <br /> [[Solid State Records|Solid State]] <br /> [[Century Media]] | Associated_acts = | URL = [none] | Current_members = [[Peter Espevoll]]<br />[[David Husvik]]<br />[[John Robert Mjåland]]<br />[[Tor Magne Glidje]]<br />[[Ole Halvard Sveen]] | Past_members = [[Ole Børud]]<br />[[Christer Espevoll]]<br />[[Eystein Holm]]<br />[[Emil Nikolaisen]] }} '''Extol''' is a [[Christian metal]] band from [[Oslo]] in [[Norway]] that formed in 1993. They are known for playing a variety of different styles of [[Heavy metal music|metal]] which include [[melodic death metal]], [[thrash metal|technical thrash metal]], and currently a mix between [[progressive metal]] and [[post-hardcore]]. They are mainly described as a melodic death metal band since they gained their popularity primarily through their earlier works in that genre.<ref name="AMG_bio">{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gcfqxqrjld6e |title= Extol |accessdate= 2007-12-21 |last=DaRonco |first=Mike |date= |format= |work= [[Allmusic]] |publisher= |pages= |language= |quote= }}</ref> Signed to [[Century Media Records]], the band has released 4 studio albums and 2 EPs. The band is noted for their precise, technical musicianship.<ref name="AMG_Undeceived"/> The 4th album, ''[[The Blueprint Dives]]'' received [[Spellemannsprisen]] nomination for best metal album of 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.jay.no/index.cgi?art=10740 |title= Spellemannspris til Extol |accessdate= 2007-12-21 |last=Dammann |first=Josva |date=2006-01-03 |format= |work= Jay.no |publisher= |pages= |language= |quote=Etter at metall-gruppa Extol ble dannet i 1994 har de kommet med fire album. The blueprint dives er det foreløpig siste og har nå blitt nominert til spellemannsprisen. }}</ref> Currently on a hiatus, their recent line-up included vocalist Peter Espevoll, guitarists Tor Magne Glidje and Ole Halvard Sveen, drummer David Husvik, and bass player John Robert Mjåland. == History == Extol was formed in 1993 by [[drummer]] David Husvik and [[guitarist]] Christer Espevoll, who had been playing together and wanted to start a band. Peter Espevoll became their [[vocalist]]. In 1994, bassist Eystein Holm joined the band just before their first gig. Emil Nikolaisen joined as a second guitarist in 1995.<ref name="AMG_bio"/> In 1996, they recorded for Norwegian metal compilation, ''Northern Lights''. Later that year they recorded "Embraced", a short demo. Ole Børud, formerly known for his death/doom project Schaliach, soon replaced Nikolaisen, who wanted to give more attention to his other band, Royal, on guitar. Nikolaisen currently plays guitar and lead vocals for [[indie rock]] band [[Serena Maneesh]]. They signed with Endtime Productions in 1998, and released ''[[Burial (Extol album)|Burial]]'', the band's first full album. It was licenced to US through Solid State Records and to Japan through Avalon Records.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:anfrxqwjldde |title= Extol - Burial |accessdate= 2007-12-21 |last=DaRonco |first=Mike |date= |format= |work= [[Allmusic]] |publisher= |pages= |language= |quote= }}</ref> The next year, they released the [[Extended play|EP]], ''[[Mesmerized (album)|Mesmerized]]'', which featured three industrial remixes of songs from ''Burial'' by the bands Raison d'être and [[Sanctum (band)|Sanctum]]. Eystein was replaced by Tor Magne Glidje on bass. They later recorded ''[[Undeceived]]'', which was much darker and more intense.<ref name="AMG_Undeceived">{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0nftxqrkldae |title= Extol - Undeceived |accessdate= 2007-12-21 |last=Jeffries |first=Vincent |date= |format= |work= [[Allmusic]] |publisher= |pages= |language= |quote= }}</ref> Then Ole left the band, so Tor Glidje switched over to guitar, and John Robert Mjåland joined as bassist. In 2001, another EP, ''[[Paralysis (album)|Paralysis]]'', was recorded; it was only released in [[Sweden]]. This EP featured a cover of "Shadow of Death" by the reputive American thrash metal group [[Believer (band)|Believer]], whom the band considers to be a great influence. After ''Paralysis'', Tor Magne left the band to focus on his other project, Ganglion, and Ole returned to the line-up. After ''Undeceived'' was released, Extol was no longer obligated to Endtime, and they signed with [[Century Media]] in 2002. Their album [[Synergy (Extol album)|Synergy]], released in 2003, showed an even greater appreciation of the band Believer. The music on the album is very similar to Believer's style of thrash metal. Following the release, Extol toured Europe and US with the Swedish progressive death metal group [[Opeth]]. In June of 2004, Ole Børud and Christer Espevoll left Extol to "invest their time and energy elsewhere". Taking their place as permanent members in the band are the return of Tor Magne Glidje and Ole Halvard Sveen, both from Ganglion, that merged with Extol when four out of five bandmembers ended up playing in both bands. In 2005, the band released what could be considered their most diverse album; ''The Blueprint Dives'', or "Blueprint" for short. A music video was shot for the song "Pearl." The album was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy, [[Spellemannprisen]], for best Norwegian metal album in 2005. Also, ''Blueprint'' was voted for the Top 5 metal albums of the year list by the reades of the biggest newspaper in Norway, ''[[Dagbladet]]''. Afterwards, Extol toured Europe with [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]], [[God Forbid]], and Opeth, and US with [[Haste the Day]], [[Becoming the Archetype]], and [[The Showdown]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://smackthejack.net/uutinen.phtml?id=830 |title= Extol nominated for Norway's Grammy |accessdate= 2007-12-21 |last= |first= |date= 2005-08-01 |format= |work= Smack the Jack |publisher= |pages= |language= Finnish |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> The album received rave reviews: For example, Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic gave the album 4.5/5 and writes that "To Extol's greatest credit, offhand comparisons to other bands are almost impossible!".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jzfpxq8sldte |title= Extol - Blueprint |accessdate= 2007-12-21 |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |date= |format= |work= [[Allmusic]] |publisher= |pages= |language= |quote= }}</ref> On August 9, 2007 the band announced through their MySpace page that they are currently on a hiatus. ==Members== ===Most recent members=== *Peter Espevoll - vocals, acoustic guitar (1993–2007) *Tor Magne Glidje - bass guitar, guitar (1999–2001); guitar (2004–2007) *Ole Halvard Sveen - guitar (2004–2007) *David Husvik - drums (1993–2007) *John Robert Mjåland - bass guitar (2001–2007) ===Past members=== *Christer Espevoll - guitars (1993–2004) *Ole Børud - guitars, flute, vocals (1996–2000) (2001–2004) *Eystein Holm - bass guitar(1994–1999) *Emil Nikolaisen - guitars (1995–1996) ==Discography== All recordings are licensed to [[Solid State Records]] ===Studio albums=== *1998: ''[[Burial (Extol album)|Burial]]'' ([[Endtime Productions]]) *2000: ''[[Undeceived]]'' (Endtime Productions, re-issued by Century Media in 2003) *2003: ''[[Synergy (Extol album)|Synergy]]'' ([[Century Media]]) *2005: ''[[The Blueprint Dives]]'' (Century Media) ===Miscellanious=== *1997: ''[[Embraced (demo)|Embraced]]'' (demo) *1999: ''[[Mesmerized (album)|Mesmerized]]'' (EP, Endtime Productions) *2001: ''[[Paralysis (album)|Paralysis]]'' (EP, Endtime Productions) ==Side projects== Tor Magne Glidje, Jon Robert Mjåland, and Ole Halvard Sveen are the sole members of [[Lengsel]], a progressive black metal band that formed in 1995 and released one album, called ''[[Solace (Lengsel album)|Solace]]'', on [[Endtime Productions]], which was subsequently licensed to [[Solid State Records]] for an American release. Shortly after releasing "Solace", Lengsel changed their name to Ganglion and turned away from the progressive black metal to a progressive-aggressive rock sound. In 2006, they reunited as Lengsel and released their second album, ''[[The Kiss, The Hope]]''. Christer Espevoll and David Husvik went out of their way recently to form a band named Absurd². They put out an EP in 2004. Under the name Aperture, Peter Espevoll and David Husvik released an album of softer, acoustic rock songs, entitled ''Salvage''. "Aperture" is also the name of an acoustic song off of ''Synergy''. Christer Espevoll was for a period of time in the band Benea Reach, which also features former members of Selfmindead. Several members of Extol have founded a new side project, "Mantric," which can be heard here: http://www.myspace.com/mantricofficial. ==References== {{Reflist}} * {{cite journal |year=2000 |month=July/August |title=Extol |journal=[[HM Magazine]] |id={{ISSN|1066-6923}} |issue=84 |pages= |accessdate=2007-04-24 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000918052320/www.hmmagazine.com/Current_Issue/84Extol/84extol.html}} * [http://www.myspace.com/extol MySpace page] == External links == * [http://www.myspace.com/extol MySpace Page] * [http://www.purevolume.com/extol/ Extol's Purevolume Page] * {{musicbrainz artist|id=584a85bc-5568-46a0-9646-5182d7d2cd11|name=Extol}} * [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Extol Extol discography] at [[Discogs]] * [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=1164 Extol] at [[Encyclopaedia Metallum]] * [http://www.metal-realm.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=100 Official Forum] {{Extol}} [[Category:Norwegian musical groups]] [[Category:Norwegian heavy metal musical groups]] [[Category:Norwegian black metal musical groups]] [[Category:Unblack metal musical groups]] [[Category:Christian metal musical groups]] [[Category:Melodic death metal musical groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1991]] [[de:Extol]] [[it:Extol]] [[no:Extol]] [[pt:Extol]] [[fi:Extol]] [[sv:Extol]]