After the tremendous success of Burial, the mighty Extol has released a very interesting EP. This version by Solid State is basically just a repackaging and U.S. release of the European version that has been available since June. What's cool is that Solid State didn't skimp on the packaging or anything, keeping the fancy digipak and great artwork. So, if you don't have the European release, you are getting essentially the same thing. The first song on the CD, "Enthralled," is a brand new track, and it is nothing short of terrific. For those of you who were unable to obtain the Japanese pressing of Burial containing the bonus track "The Prodigal Son," this has been included as the second track. I always remember wondering if the bonus track was as good as I had been told. Well, I think that it is, as it displays some amazing black metal. The third track, which also happens to be my favorite, is a leftover from the Burial recording sessions. It kind of reminds me of a cross between the heavier Extol sound and the melodic sound of Schaliach. The diversity between the lush singing and the harsh black metal vocals makes for an awesome song. I can't understand why this wasn't included on Burial. The next three tracks are what truly make this CD "interesting." They are industrial remixes of three Extol songs, but not metal-influenced industrial like you might think. Instead, two tracks are remixed by Sanctum, giving forth a noise industrial black metal mix that you will have to hear to believe. If you are a fan of either Sanctum or Mental Destruction as well as the mighty Extol, you will appreciate the fourth and fifth song. I don't particularly care for the last song, which is a remix done by Raison D'etre. To me, it sounds like noise with near muted Extol underneath. If you weren't told it was an Extol song being remixed, I don't think you'd ever be able to tell. Overall, I love this CD. It is always nice to get new tracks, and the industrial remixes provide a very unique twist. You're missing out big if you don't buy this disc - plain and simple. I mean, they are the mighty Extol, are they not?
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Joe RockstrohWith some bands, you get the feeling that if you had a $10,000 stereo it would sound that much better. With Extol, there's so much in the beats, the riffs, the growls, that you really feel as if you can't get it loud enough. Considering the current glut of sub-par metal and hardcore bands that are filling the Christian market, Extol seem all the more brilliant. While the excellent Burial broke…Bandoppler 1999Reviewed by James FlorenceHoly cow! I just used the term "mind-blowing" in another review for the band Sick of Change. But I have suddenly gained a completely new perspective on that term, now that Norway's Extol has completely redefined its meaning for me. Extol turns all music to mush, as they will turn your brain into mush. Your opinion has now ceased to have any significance. Extol is truly mind-blowing in the truest…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis EP must be kind of a snack before they dish up a new album. There are six songs on this disc of which only one is really new, recorded in 1999. This song, Enthralled, shows Extol's at the top of their strength. They play technical deathmetal but in this song they are closer to blackmetal than ever with shrieking vocals and some faster than fast passages. The second song (The Prodigal Son)…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by Arni the CowExtol is a good band. This is a good EP. Extol hasn't changed since Burial, so we still have that technical and experimenting death/black sound to extinguish our hunger until the next release (which is out I may add). What can I say? Extol plays great music. Writes great lyrics. I enjoyed this EP. Until the third song is over, that is. Then there come 3 remixes of songs we heard on Burial. If I…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by CrusaderI was very happy to receive a copy of this cd, being that I'm hugely into Extol. For those of you who aren't familiar with them, they are one of the heaviest and most innovative death/black metal bands to ever grace the ears of mankind. With the exception of the last 3 tracks, which are not recorded by the band, but are industrial remixes of songs off the Burial cd, this cd is pretty much…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by D_ListerAlright, so a lot of you are gonna give me crap about giving this CD EP a rating of 10, but man I've really listened to this thing a lot trying to find some reason to drop the rating and I just can't find one. EXTOL fans rise up! Mesmerized gives you more of what you have come to know and love as pure, savage, M-E-T-A-L! The first three tracks on this 6 song EP are completely new songs, but they…Dead Zine 1999Reviewed by FetusAdmittedly, Burial (Extol's first LP) was fairly good in my opinion, but really didn't overwhelm me the first 10 spins. Now, after countless rotations, Burial has rooted itself into nothing less than remarkable. Yes, I highly anticipated this release. It's a bummer this is an EP, but I say that strictly because I NEED more of this! Again, Extol delivers with such abounding complexity (as their…Similar sounding releases
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