Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
Extol is a Christian progressive extreme metal band from Bekkestua, Norway, that was formed in 1993. In 2007, they announced they were splitting up to work on separate projects. The band is known for playing a variety of different styles of metal which include progressive death metal, melodic death metal and thrash metal. It is mainly described as a progressive / melodic death metal band, having gained popularity primarily through its earlier works in that genre.
Signed to Century Media Records, the band has released four studio albums and two EPs. The band is noted for its precise, technical musicianship. The fourth album, The Blueprint Dives, received Spellemannsprisen nomination for best metal album of 2005. Extol has toured the US and Europe several times with such bands as Mastodon, God Forbid and Opeth. Collectively, Extol has sold over 500,000 CDs worldwide.
Currently not working together, the recent line-up included vocalist Peter Espevoll, guitarists Tor Magne Glidje and Ole Halvard Sveen, drummer David Husvik, and bass player John Robert Mjåland. Notable original guitarists were Ole Børud (of Schaliach fame) and Christer Espevoll, who contributed significantly to the band's virtuoisic songwriting. All the band members share the Christian faith, which is apparent in their lyrics and themes.
Biography
1993–1999: Formation and Burial
Extol was formed in Bekkestua, Norway by drummer David Husvik, 16 and guitarist Christer Espevoll, 16. The two had jammed together since fall 1993 and wanted to start a band. Christer's brother Peter, 14 was recruited for vocal duties. Bassist Eystein Holm joined right before their first gig in May 1994. In an interview, Peter explained the band's name: "Extol means to exalt, to lift up what you give glory to, and that's what's we're all about. We want to give God all the glory with our lives and with our music." Extol wanted to expand their musical style beyond regular metal music—according to Allmusic writer Mike DaRonco, the band intended to show "more of a progressive side; rather than a typical run of the mill group of burnout's who focused more on their image." The style change necessitated another guitarist, a position Emil Nikolaisen of the band Royal filled in 1995.
The group soon garnered a reputation in the local scene. In January 1996, Extol made their first record appearance on a Norwegian metal compilation called Northern Lights. The album featured other local Christian artists Antestor, Schaliach, and Groms. Steve Rowe of Australian Christian metal band Mortification released the compilation on his record label, Rowe Productions. The band ventured to Stockholm, Sweden two months later for their first show outside their homeland. At the end of 1996, Nikolaisen departed so he could devote more time to Royal. He would later form an alternative rock band called Serena Maneesh and release a critically acclaimed self-titled album in 2005.
In 1997, Extol released an independent three song demo entitled Embraced. A studio album was recorded at the end of the year even though a record label had not signed them. Almost a year passed before Endtime Productions picked up the band. Their debut album, entitled Burial, was released in December 1998. The album was licensed in the United States on Solid State Records, and in Japan on Avalon Records. Critical reception was very positive from Christian and secular publications. DaRonco commented that it was "a breath of fresh air among a genre that relies on satanic gimmicks."
Shortly after, the band played their first shows in The US at Cornerstone festival and Texas Rockfest. Extol conducted a four week tour with Swedish rock band Blindside in summer 1999. An EP was released in November entitled Mesmerized. It featured three remixed tracks from Burial, which were reworked by Swedish industrial groups Raison d'être and Sanctum, and three other songs; a recently recorded one, an outtake, and a track from the Japanese release. The reception from fans was generally negative. Holm soon left the band and was replaced by Tor Magne Glidje, who played bass in the Norwegian metal band Lengsel.
2000–2003: Undeceived and Synergy
Extol returned to the studio in December 1999 to record a follow up album. In June 2000, their second studio album, entitled Undeceived, was released. The release saw their music become "harder and darker" than their previous work, opting to move towards a death metal sound. The song "Ember" proved to be a popular song among their fans. 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; it was only released in Sweden. This EP featured a cover of "Shadow of Death" by the reputive American thrash metal group 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, 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.
2004–2005: The Blueprint Dives
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 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, God Forbid, and Opeth, and US with Haste the Day, Becoming the Archetype, and The Showdown. 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!". On August 9, 2007 the band announced through their MySpace page that they are currently on a hiatus. Tor, John and Ole are now active with Mantric signed to Prosthetic Records, and are currently working on their second album. David is playing with Dr. Midnight and The Mercy Cult including members from Turbonegro, Apoptygma Berzerk and Satyricon.
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)
