Line-Up:
Peter Espevoll - Grinding Vocals
Ole Borud - Guitars, Clean Vocals
Christer Espevoll - Guitars
David Husvik - Drums
Tor Magne Glidje - Bass
With Extol's 2nd full length release, Undeceived, these Norwegians have struck gold. Considered to be the peak of their career and one of the best melodic/technical death metal releases of all time, Undecieved takes no prisoners as it barrages the listener with ingenius intertwining guitars, pumelling drums, and razorblade vocals, not to mention actual AUDIBLE and competent bass playing. Ole's clean vocals only heighten emotions as his incredible and powerful voice contrasts Peter's ominous screaming. Extol manages to merge black metal, death metal, and jazz flavor along with technicality, making their sound very unique yet pleasing to anyone with at least decent musical taste.
1. Inferno
The album starts off with the black metal flavor of Inferno. As soon as the twin guitars kick in, the listener knows he is in for a ride he will not soon forget. This is a perfect opener song, fast and relentless rhythms and also an appearance of violins which really make this song stand out. I love the ending section to. 4.5/5
2. Undecieved
One of Extol's most beloved songs, this song is definitely an epic. It begins with an emotional string section which foreshadows the main theme of the song. Suddenly the guitars blast through the silence and take the listener on a very dark journey as the riffs are very dark and ominious, and go into doom territory towards the end. The lyrics deal with an attempt of suicide by a girl who finds God asking her to invite Him into her life before she loses her soul. A very touching and powerful song, would've liked it better at the end of the disc though. 5/5
3. Time Stands Still
Written by Christer Espevoll, you can hear a lack of Ole B's signature songwriting, but the song makes up for it with the lyrics, which deal with lust and the over-bearing guilt keeping us from asking for forgivness. Another long and powerful song. 4/5.
4. Ember
This is one of Extol's most popular songs. Here marks the first track with Ole B's clean vocals. This is actually the first song i've ever heard from Extol and immediately noticed Ole's unique voice. The intro starts of with an insane guitar lick, harmonized as well. The verse is quiet amazing as well, especially how Ole's melody lines move over the unique chord progression, one needs to hear it to really appreciate its beauty. A tranquil verse erupts into a fiery chorus and the song continues forth with some melodic tremolo picking passages and another violin section. It ends with some mid-paced, duo guitar chording. Great song and uplifting lyrics. 5/5
5.Meadows of Silence
The fist of three instrumentals, Meadows is a very peaceful and serene track consisting of only two acoustic guitars. Here one can noticed Ole B's incredible sense for melody umatched by most. Truly, a tearjerker.
5/5
6. Shelter
A doomy, slower track, Shelter is a very bleak track with Peter croaking in an eerie voice atop of constant double bass. Melodic guitar riffing dominates the song as Christers technical playing style and Ole B's lead playing/melodic mastery combine to create a tour-de-force of gigantic proportions. The doomy conclusion is majestic.
4.5/5
7. Structure of Souls
My favorite track on Undecieved for one reason, Ole's singing makes another apperance. The songwriting even has his name all over it, jazz-influenced chord progressions, great melodic lead guitars, and varied song structure. The lyrics of a unified Body of Christ are very uplifting as well. There are some nice clean guitar parts in here as well. Powerful and moving.
6/5
8. Of Light and Shade
Mid-paced and Death metal, the 8th track off of Undecieved begins with pummeling double bass and some competent guitar work until erupting into some trademark Extol progressions and Peters screaming for the verse. The middle section picks up with some emotional guitar riffing and odd-timed drumming by David (who i think would steal the spotlight on Extol's next disc, Synergy).
4.5/5
9. Where Sleep is Rest
The second instrumental on Undecieved, this track trades in the acoustic and quiet sounds of Meadows for a melodic swinging number. Pure Ole B songwriting, so you can expect some not-so-expected heavenly chord progressions.
4/5
10. Renewal
Another favorite of mine, Renewal is packed full of technical riffs, harmonies, and (gasp) a killer breakdown. And the song gets better, Ole's sublime voice dominates the verse and switches out for Peter's raspy screams for the chorus. The listener will immediately notice an homage to Death in some of the riffs following the chorus. One of Extol's most energetic and flat out heaviest songs ever. Awesome lyrics as well.
5/5
11. Abandoned
the final instrumental on Undecieved, this track is an atmospheric little piece with some keyboards and strange noises. Not much else to say, except the disc could do without it.
2/5.
12. And I Watch
Undecieved concludes with another powerhouse of a song in And I Watch. The lyrics deal with watching someone continually return to their sinful habits and destroying themselves in the process, very depressing. The song itself draws heavily from the black metal sound, with blast beats underneath a flurry of harmonized tremolo riffing, and death metal growling. More jazz inspired chords mixed in with some death metal riffing, this is a classic Extol song. And for anyone who is skeptical about the jazz-influence Extol has, just listen to the bridge of this song. Definitely my favorite part. Unfortunately, the song ends abruptly and feels lacking as a closer (hence my wish for the title track as the closer with its more epic and doomy ending). Nevertheless, this song still rules.
5/5
Undecieved holds a special place in the hearts of Melodic Death metal enthusiasts who have had the pleasure of knowing about the existence of this album. Sadly, because Extol is an upfront-Christian band, they are overlooked much in the metal community. Dont let the lyrical subject matter fool you, however. For anyone who is interested in heavy, intelligent, melodic and powerful music, I recommend you look no further. Your search ends here.
