Extol is a metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Their style has va… Read Full Bio ↴Extol is a metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Their style has varied and they have always kept a unique sound. They have shown influences from death metal, black metal, thrash metal, and progressive metal all at some time in their career.

The band was formed 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.

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 projects. Extol's debut album, "Burial", was released in 1997 on Endtime Productions and showcased a death metal sound. It was licenced to the US through Solid State Records and to Japan through Avalon Records. The next year, they released the EP, "Mesmerized", which featured three industrial remixes of songs from "Burial" by the bands Raison d'être and Sanctum. Eystein was replaced by Tor Magne Glidje on bass. "Undeceived" was released two years after "Burial", and featured a heavier and darker sound. Then Ole left the band, so Tor Glidje switched over to guitar, and John Robert Mjåland joined as bassist.

In 2001, another EP, "Paralysis", was recorded; to be released in Sweden only. This EP featured a cover of "Shadow of Death" by the reputed American avant-garde/thrash metal 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.
"Synergy", released in 2003, saw the band evolve into a technical thrash unit. Lead singer Peter Espevoll has said that it was largely a tribute to 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 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 band members ended up playing in both bands.

In 2005, the band released what could be considered their most diverse album; "The Blueprint Dives".
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 readers of one the biggest newspapers in Norway, Dagbladet. The album received rave reviews: For example, Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic gave the album 4.5/5 and wrote:
"To Extol's greatest credit, offhand comparisons to other bands are almost impossible!"
Afterward, Extol toured Europe with Mastodon, God Forbid, Opeth, and the US with Haste the Day, Becoming the Archetype, and The Showdown.

On August 9, 2007 the band announced through their MySpace page that they were currently on a hiatus.

In 2012, the production of the crowd funded film 'Extol - The Documentary' marked the return of the band. On a facebook post, the remaining members, Peter Espevoll and David Husvik, along with former member Ole Børud, announced that the band was back and that they were in the process of reccording the fifth album of the band.

Discography:

Studio albums:
* 1998: Burial (Endtime Productions)
* 2000: Undeceived (Endtime Productions, re-issued by Century Media in 2003)
* 2003: Synergy (Century Media)
* 2005: The Blueprint Dives (Century Media)

Miscellanious:
* 1997: Embraced (demo)
* 1999: Mesmerized (EP, Endtime Productions)
* 2001: Paralysis (EP, Endtime Productions)

Sideprojects:
The band members have all, at different times, had different projects. The current members of the band at various times were all members of post-thrash/rock group Ganglión. Ole Sveen, John Mjåland, and Tor Glidje comprise the avant-garde black-metal band Lengsel. David Husvik has played for The Crest and technical thrash group Absurd, and collaborated with former Spiral Architect members for Twisted Into Form.

Former member Ole Børud was a solo artist, Christer Espevoll has joined post-hardcore/metalcore band Benea Reach (former Selfmindead members); he also played on Absurd². Former guitarist Emil Nikolaisen currently plays guitar and lead vocals for indie rock band Serena Maneesh and was previously with Scandinavian indie band Royal.

Burial
Extol Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Blessed is he who has got
His transgressions forgiven
And his sins hidden
Blessed is the man whom the Lord
Do not ascribe misdeeds
And is without deceit in his spirit

Buried it deep inside

But soon a sprout came forth
It kept on growing
I couldn't hide
When I kept it to myself
Slowly my bones corroded
And my vitality vanished
Like in the summer dry

Too many people living this life
Who can take their guilt away?
Their minds are rotting
And causing an endless pain
Soon they are demented and put away

I confessed my sins to You
And did not hide my guilt
I said "I want to confess my misdeeds to You"
And He took away my sin and guilt

He is my sanctuary

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Extol's song Burial convey a message of redemption and repentance. The song speaks about the weight that comes with carrying guilt and the relief that comes with confessing one's sins to God. The first verse talks about being blessed by God when one's sins are forgiven, and they are no longer burdened by the weight of their transgressions. The second verse talks about the destructive nature of keeping one's guilt hidden, and how it can lead to physical and mental deterioration. The bridge of the song highlights the importance of confessing one's sins to God, and how it brings about a sense of relief and makes Him one's sanctuary.

The song is a powerful message that encourages listeners to not hold onto guilt but instead to confess and repent of their sins. It speaks to the human experience and the consequences that come with hiding our misdeeds. When we hold onto guilt, it can lead to our downfall, but when we confess our sins to God, it brings about peace and freedom from guilt.

Line by Line Meaning

Blessed is he who has got
Fortunate is the one who has received

His transgressions forgiven
His wrongful actions have been pardoned

And his sins hidden
And his acts of wrongdoing are no longer exposed

Blessed is the man whom the Lord
Fortunate is the person whom God

Do not ascribe misdeeds
Does not attribute wrongdoing

And is without deceit in his spirit
And is completely honest within his being

Buried it deep inside
I concealed it deep within myself

But soon a sprout came forth
But eventually, it manifested and grew

It kept on growing
It continued to develop

I couldn't hide
I could not conceal it any longer

When I kept it to myself
When I internalized it