Originally released by Endtime Productions, this CD came out through Solid State Records because of a license deal. There is reason to welcome this deal because now it's available more easily. And there is no reason for discussion about that because this album is top notch. With Burial Solid State moves farther away from the hardcore/metalcore beginnings. This is a very technical deathmetal band with black metal influences. Extol comes from Norway and they toured the States in 1998 and 1999 and from what I've heard this band was a phenomenon to see live. In their homecountry they played with Old Man's Child recently. This band has been described as a blackmetal band by some but though they have black metal stuff incorporated, this is not black metal. The instrumentations are awesome and there's a variety of vocal styles: Deathmetal grunting and hissing by Peter Espevoll and clean vocals by guitarist Ole Borud (formerly known from Schaliach). Ole is especially singing in Reflections Of A Broken Soul and in the last song, Jesus Kom Til Jorden For Å Dø. Their Norwegian roots are not denied for they have three songs sung in Norwegian. Long ago Extol was on the Norwegian Metal Compilation: Northern Lights that came out through Rowe Productions but the band has grown musically immensely since that time. This is a band to look out for.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Glenn HarperIn the past three or four years, Christian metal really has had a hard time of it, as many of its more prominent practitioners (Believer, Circle of Dust, The Crucified, Deliverance, Living Sacrifice) have either disbanded or gone on hiatus. The return of Living Sacrifice and Tourniquet's release of Crawl to China have done much to staunch the decay, but, for the most part, metal has taken a…HM Magazine #73Reviewed by Doug Van PeltOne of the most talked-about bands in Christian metal today, rightfully so, is Extol. True metal power with amazing musical skill is presented here in sonic balance. While some of the drum sounds lack fullness, the churning guitars and wicked-sounding vocals fill things out a bit. Just as Believer demanded respect for its ability to maintain such technical brilliance at supersonic speeds, so…HM Magazine #72Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernThis band, featured on the Northern Lights comp., have recently added guitarist Ole Børud (ex-Schaliach), and are one downright heavy band. The usual lightning speed is added to a variety conscious unblack vocal, and the two come together with decent production to bang your head inside and out. The title track, "Home Journey," has some great grooves, and even a medieval flute interlude. For info,…Similar sounding releases
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