662:, but it is a worthy competitor and perhaps tops any of their other releases." Michael Weaver described the band as fashioning "one of their best albums to date..." John Magelssen of Indie Vision Music rated the album four out of five, writing that "Evolving with each CD, this band has really shown how truly impressive they are with this self-titled album." He went on to say that "...this album is far from generic and will keep you pleasantly surprised in each song." Jakob Ehmke of Powermetal.de scored the album at eight-point-five out of ten, stating that the album's complexity draws the listener deeper in with each listen. Florian Schörg of Metal.de gave the album a nine out of ten, praising the technical skill of the band, its varied influence, and its production by
692:
rated it at three-point-seventy-five out of five, summarizing that while metal pioneer comebacks are not entirely new, this one did not entirely click with him. He concluded that "The music itself was excellence in and of itself but perhaps it was the odd mix of vocals that let me down. I guarantee after a few listens even a doubter like me will warm up to return of Extol and the album they've always intended to create." Mario of Metal 4 rated the album six out of ten, stating the while the album is decent, it also is fairly predictable.
489:
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rated the album six out of seven, lauding the band for combining brilliant solos and forceful vocals with a sense of groove, a style which only a few bands pursue. He praised the band for creating songs which build slowly, not only through instrumentation but through the band's vocals. Rob
Houston of
691:
looking over their shoulders." She elaborated that apart from the string-drenched interlude on "Dawn of
Redemption", "Extol hardly shifts out of a single gear, but it's worth a listen for those who like their genres bobbing around in a big old melting pot." Anthony Peronto of Christian Music Zine
363:
is very well executed." In addition to the progressive death metal framework of the album, Extol works other genres into the album. Magelssen stated that the syncopated drumming on "Betrayal" leads into a thrash metal feel, and described "A Gift Beyond Human Reach" as incorporating
261:
was the album that was planned all the way, but never materialized. Partly due to changes in the line up, but also because of the band’s urge to always reach for something new. The album is the recap of 20 years of Extol-history, both musically and lyrically."
257:, the band released a teaser video for the album on 29 May 2013. On 22 April 2013 the band released a single, "Open the Gates", for streaming on YouTube, followed by a music video for "A Gift Beyond Human Reach" on 12 June 2013. According to Husvik, "
29:
649:
rated the album four-point five stars out of five, calling it "a long overdue masterpiece" that is "next to flawless, with some of the most amazing song structures you will hear this year."
380:
and the djent music trend, Extol's varied influence keeps it from being forced into any drawers. Jakob Emhke of
Powermetal.de described the song arrangements as reminiscent of
327:
said that Extol takes a "distinctly kitchen-sink approach to their art, mashing together frontman Peter
Espevoll's death-metal rasp with dreamy prog melodies and a relentless
672:, Dan Slessor rated the album an 8 out of ten, affirming that "This really is the sound of a band reinvigorated and playing as if their lives depended on it." R'Vannith of
301:
wrote that "The first is that Extol have gone even further into the progressive aspect of their music than their last two albums did. The band full-on channel aspects of
253:, then reformed as a trio in 2012 and announced that it had begun work on a new studio album. Consisting of prior Extol members David Husvik, Peter Espevoll, and
1582:
1131:
652:
Jesus Freak
Hideout gave the album two reviews, each of which gave the album four-point-five out of five stars. Timothy Estabrooks said that
335:
inside out and uses their riffs for their own pious means." Anthony
Peronto of Christian Music Zine compared the clean vocals to
1646:
1641:
635:
generally received high praise from critics, who championed the album as marking the return of a classic band. Petra
Schurer of
359:
are lightning fast and complex, the drumming is aggressive and constantly changing tempos and rhythms, and even the occasional
372:. Florian Schörg of Metal.de called the album's style as death and thrash mixed with progressive song structures and a modern
1102:
368:
into the intro, specifically through hammer-on-iron and similar sounds. "Faltering Moves" Magelssen characterized as a
351:(off rhythm) beats and ever changing time signatures," and Timothy Estabrooks of Jesus Freak Hideout said that on
340:
687:
rated the album six out of ten, pointing out that "there's little here to have progressive scene-leaders like
230:, with some melodic elements. Reviews of the album were very positive, and the album managed to chart on the
394:
215:
73:
1264:
681:
But a few critics took a more-mixed view of the album. Emma
Johnston from the English language version of
1604:
1636:
1555:
999:
673:
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339:, and John Magelssen of Indie Vision Music specified that the singing on "Open the Gates" sounds like "
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1203:
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released the album on 21 June 2013 in Norway, Germany, and
Austria, then on 24 June worldwide, and
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392:, mentioning in particular the similarity between the song "Betrayal" and Opeth's album
270:
released the album for North
America on 25 June 2013. The album peaked at No. 23 on the
1520:
1338:
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388:, especially due to Extol's use of clean vocals. Mario of Metal 4 compared the band to
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march from the get-go." On the song "Ministers", Johnston states that Extol "turns
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656:"is a very worthy comeback album. It may not quite reach the heights achieved by
1005:
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64:
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347:' vocals." Magelssen described the technical style of the album as "intricate
306:
1600:
377:
28:
1458:
1132:"Extol releases new music video 'A Gift Beyond Human Reach' from "Extol""
1591:
701:
All music is composed by David Husvik and Ole Børud, except where noted
668:
612:
385:
222:, released in 2013. It was described by music critics as a mixture of
332:
247:
In 2007 Extol went on hiatus after releasing its 2005 fourth album,
287:
The basic style of the album was described by critics as a mixture
688:
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373:
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219:
122:
41:
36:
1595:. Aug/Sept 2013 (70). Octavia Laird and Rodney Kusano: 65.
1193:
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211:
is the fifth full-length studio album by the Norwegian
376:
sound. He noted that while he did find comparisons to
1103:"From Extol's self-titled release comes this single"
977:– guitars, bass, clean vocals, mellotron, production
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720:
706:
163:
121:
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95:
79:
63:
48:
35:
21:
1014:Øystein Tengesdal – additional recording assistant
313:without apology." Vocally, the band ranges from
1373:Johnston, Emma (August 2013). "Extol – Extol".
1368:
1366:
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1360:
528:
500:
432:
1544:
1542:
1521:"Extol, "Extol" Review: Second Staff Opinion"
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295:, with some melodic elements. Mark Fisher of
8:
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317:to progressive, pop-style clean singing to
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27:
18:
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908:
703:
1064:
943:
894:
1388:
1386:
993:Martin Ludvig Engen Rosenhoff – cello
1482:
1480:
1337:Estabrooks, Timothy (June 23, 2013).
1077:"EXTOL S/T – ALBUM TEASER (Official)"
1002:– art direction, illustration, layout
944:
895:
411:
7:
1311:(in German). Weihrauch Medien Verlag
1130:Smith, Taylor Rhea (June 13, 2013).
983:– drums, cymbal, vocals, production
831:"Dawn of Redemption" (Instrumental)
530:
502:
434:
321:rasps and wails. Emma Johnston of
14:
1519:Weaver, Michael (June 27, 2013).
1393:Peronto, Anthony (July 1, 2013).
1265:"Review zu EXTOL con Extol, 2013"
1168:Magelssen, John (June 30, 2013).
1011:Kenneth Jensen – band photography
676:rated the album eight out of ten.
468:
384:, but also noted similarities to
1427:Schörg, Florian (July 7, 2013).
1263:Schurer, Petra (June 21, 2013).
1199:"Christian Albums: Jul 13, 2013"
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1101:Stagg, David (April 26, 2013).
1395:"Extol – Self Titled (Review)"
1303:Ehmke, Jakob (June 16, 2013).
915:
707:
16:2013 studio album by Extol
1:
1487:Houston, Rob (July 2, 2013).
1435:(in German). Versus: Media UG
1052:
1041:
971:– unclean vocals, production
780:"A Gift Beyond Human Reach"
1663:
1207:. July 13, 2013. p. 2
192:Released: 29 November 2013
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26:
1239:. Rockhouse Publications
1647:Indie Recordings albums
1642:Facedown Records albums
1457:Mario (June 19, 2013).
1339:"Extol, "Extol" Review"
882:"Unveiling the Obscure"
749:Husvik, Børud, Espevoll
216:progressive death metal
183:Released: 22 April 2013
74:progressive death metal
1231:"Extol – Extol (2013)"
243:Background and release
52:21 June 2013
1581:Slessor, Dan (2013).
1170:"Extol – Self Titled"
1399:Christian Music Zine
1049:Top Christian Albums
988:Additional personnel
602:Metal Hammer Germany
407:Professional ratings
283:Style and influences
277:Top Christian Albums
237:Top Christian Albums
1525:Jesus Freak Hideout
1343:Jesus Freak Hideout
1008:– mixing, mastering
911:
497:Jesus Freak Hideout
408:
250:The Blueprint Dives
136:The Blueprint Dives
1174:Indie Vision Music
909:
463:Indie Vision Music
406:
402:Critical reception
1057:
1056:
954:
953:
905:
904:
797:"Faltering Moves"
630:
629:
293:progressive metal
228:progressive metal
204:
203:
155:
154:
1654:
1617:
1616:
1614:
1612:
1607:on June 16, 2014
1603:. Archived from
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1516:
1507:
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1444:
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1390:
1381:
1380:
1379:. Team Rock: 94.
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1276:Axel Springer AG
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1075:(May 29, 2013).
1073:Indie Recordings
1069:
1023:
996:
947:
934:"Sting of Death"
917:
912:
898:
885:Husvik, Espevoll
851:Husvik, Espevoll
817:Husvik, Espevoll
814:"Behold the Sun"
800:Husvik, Espevoll
746:"Open the Gates"
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366:industrial music
268:Facedown Records
264:Indie Recordings
193:
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184:
181:
180:"Open the Gates"
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91:
90:
86:
59:
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31:
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1551:"Extol – Extol"
1548:
1547:
1540:
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1518:
1517:
1510:
1500:
1498:
1497:. Doug Van Pelt
1489:"Extol – Extol"
1486:
1485:
1478:
1468:
1466:
1459:"EXTOL – Extol"
1456:
1455:
1448:
1438:
1436:
1429:"Extol – Extol"
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1305:"Extol – Extol"
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1176:. Brandon Jones
1167:
1166:
1153:
1143:
1141:
1140:. Doug Van Pelt
1129:
1128:
1124:
1114:
1112:
1111:. Doug Van Pelt
1100:
1099:
1095:
1085:
1083:
1079:
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1062:
1038:Top Heatseekers
1030:
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945:
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70:Christian metal
55:
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17:
12:
11:
5:
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1570:
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1527:. John DiBiase
1508:
1476:
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1412:
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1345:. John DiBiase
1322:
1288:
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1229:Fisher, Mark.
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969:Peter Espevoll
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910:Deluxe edition
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1559:. Ivan Suslin
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1309:Powermetal.de
1306:
1299:
1297:
1295:
1293:
1289:
1277:
1274:(in German).
1273:
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1019:Chart history
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946:Total length:
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897:Total length:
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696:Track listing
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623:Powermetal.de
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415:
412:Review scores
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34:
30:
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20:
1637:Extol albums
1609:. Retrieved
1605:the original
1590:
1584:
1561:. Retrieved
1554:
1529:. Retrieved
1524:
1499:. Retrieved
1492:
1467:. Retrieved
1462:
1437:. Retrieved
1432:
1403:. Retrieved
1401:. Tyler Hess
1398:
1376:Metal Hammer
1374:
1347:. Retrieved
1342:
1313:. Retrieved
1308:
1279:. Retrieved
1270:Metal Hammer
1268:
1241:. Retrieved
1236:Metal Forces
1234:
1209:. Retrieved
1202:
1178:. Retrieved
1173:
1142:. Retrieved
1135:
1125:
1113:. Retrieved
1106:
1096:
1084:. Retrieved
1067:
1026:Chart (2013)
1000:Travis Smith
995:(track 7, 9)
987:
986:
981:David Husvik
962:
961:
763:"Wastelands"
700:
684:Metal Hammer
682:
680:
677:
667:
657:
653:
651:
644:
638:Metal Hammer
636:
632:
631:
611:
601:
591:Metal Hammer
589:
569:Metal Forces
567:
425:
393:
370:power ballad
352:
345:The Faceless
324:Metal Hammer
322:
315:death growls
298:Metal Forces
296:
286:
271:
258:
248:
246:
231:
207:
206:
205:
189:"Wastelands"
168:
144:
143:
134:
37:Studio album
1632:2013 albums
1587:(Facedown)"
1556:Metal Storm
1549:R'Vannith.
1465:(in German)
1080:(Web/Video)
1006:Jens Bogren
848:"Ministers"
674:Metal Storm
664:Jens Bogren
580:Metal Storm
343:mixed with
319:black metal
1626:Categories
1611:August 11,
1060:References
729:"Betrayal"
659:Undeceived
349:syncopated
125:chronology
56:2013-06-21
1601:1542-1309
1204:Billboard
1082:. YouTube
1031:position
975:Ole Børud
958:Personnel
378:Meshuggah
361:breakdown
273:Billboard
255:Ole Børud
233:Billboard
213:Christian
1583:"Extol:
1563:July 15,
1501:July 14,
1469:July 13,
1439:July 13,
1433:Metal.de
1211:July 13,
937:Espevoll
868:Espevoll
783:Espevoll
766:Espevoll
559:Metal.de
341:Weird Al
311:King's X
113:Producer
106:Facedown
49:Released
39: by
1592:Outburn
1531:July 1,
1463:Metal 4
1405:July 1,
1349:July 1,
1315:July 1,
1281:July 1,
1272:Germany
1243:June 4,
1180:July 1,
1144:July 2,
1115:July 2,
1086:July 2,
865:"Extol"
669:Outburn
640:Germany
626:8.50/10
613:Outburn
386:Leprous
279:chart.
239:chart.
165:Singles
149:(2013)
140:(2005)
54: (
1599:
926:Length
923:Lyrics
888:
871:
854:
837:Husvik
834:
820:
803:
769:
752:
735:
721:Length
715:Lyrics
420:Rating
417:Source
333:Slayer
329:thrash
169:Extol
80:Length
1585:Extol
963:Extol
950:50:36
920:Title
901:46:24
786:Børud
718:Music
712:Title
689:Opeth
666:. At
654:Extol
633:Extol
390:Opeth
374:djent
357:riffs
355:the "
353:Extol
337:Queen
289:death
259:Extol
224:death
220:Extol
218:band
208:Extol
167:from
145:Extol
123:Extol
117:Extol
102:Indie
97:Label
65:Genre
42:Extol
22:Extol
1613:2013
1597:ISSN
1565:2013
1533:2013
1503:2013
1471:2013
1441:2013
1407:2013
1351:2013
1317:2013
1283:2013
1245:2015
1213:2013
1182:2013
1146:2013
1117:2013
1088:2013
1029:Peak
940:4:12
891:5:39
874:4:03
857:4:19
840:4:18
823:4:15
806:5:57
789:4:06
772:4:59
755:4:28
738:4:20
618:8/10
596:6/10
584:8/10
574:9/10
562:9/10
309:and
303:Rush
291:and
226:and
1053:23
1047:US
1042:22
1036:US
931:11.
916:No.
879:10.
708:No.
606:6/7
307:Yes
1628::
1589:.
1573:^
1553:.
1541:^
1523:.
1511:^
1494:HM
1491:.
1479:^
1461:.
1449:^
1431:.
1415:^
1397:.
1385:^
1359:^
1341:.
1325:^
1307:.
1291:^
1267:.
1253:^
1233:.
1221:^
1201:.
1190:^
1172:.
1154:^
1137:HM
1134:.
1108:HM
1105:.
862:9.
845:8.
828:7.
811:6.
794:5.
777:4.
760:3.
743:2.
726:1.
646:HM
427:HM
398:.
305:,
104:,
89:24
85:46
72:,
1615:.
1567:.
1535:.
1505:.
1473:.
1443:.
1409:.
1353:.
1319:.
1285:.
1247:.
1215:.
1184:.
1148:.
1119:.
1090:.
87::
58:)
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