The Hidden Story Behind Extol's Groundbreaking Nails 2001 Album
Extol made their mark with their 1998 album "Burial." They created something special by mixing melodic death metal with black metal styles, which raised the bar for the entire genre. The band's sound kept getting better and more interesting. Their lineup changed quite a bit, especially in 2004. These changes helped them create their most varied and energetic music yet. Let me tell you about this influential band's experience. We'll look at how their music grew and how they changed the metal scene during this exciting time.
Early Days of Extol
Cousins David Husvik and Christer Espevoll, both 16 at the time, started jamming together in Bekkestua, Norway during fall 1993 [1]. Their musical chemistry sparked the creation of what would become one of Norway's most innovative metal bands. They soon brought in Christer's younger brother Peter, just 14 years old, to handle vocal duties [1].
The band took shape completely when bassist Eystein Holm joined on May 17, 1994, just before their first live show [2]. Peter explained the band's name choice: "Extol means to exalt, to lift up what you give glory to, and that's what we're all about" [1].
Formation in Norway's metal scene
The Norwegian black metal scene gained notoriety, yet Extol blazed their own trail by focusing on technical skill and musical innovation [3]. Their steadfast dedication to challenge musical boundaries pushed them beyond traditional heavy metal structures. Emil Nikolaisen from Royal joined as a second guitarist in 1995 to strengthen this vision [1].
First demos and recordings
Extol's first recorded work appeared in January 1996 on a Norwegian metal compilation "Northern Lights" [4]. Steve Rowe's label Rowe Productions released this compilation, which featured other prominent Christian metal acts like Antestor and Schaliach [1].
The band underwent changes later that year when Nikolaisen left to focus on Royal. Ole Børud, known for his work with Schaliach and Arnold B Family, stepped in as his replacement [5]. This new lineup recorded their three-track demo "Embraced" in 1997 [1].
The band recorded their debut album without a record deal in late 1997 [2]. After months of waiting, Endtime Productions signed them and released "Burial" in December 1998 [1]. Solid State Records distributed the album in the United States while Avalon Records handled the Japanese market [4].
Critics praised "Burial" as "a breath of fresh air among a genre that relies on satanic gimmicks" [1]. This soaring win led Extol to perform at prestigious events like Cornerstone Festival and Texas Rockfest - their first American shows [4].
Creating the Burial Album
Extol began their journey at Børud Lydskredderi studio in Norway to record their debut album after signing with Endtime Productions. The band showed their dedication to create a unique sound throughout the recording process.
Writing process
The band created an intricate mix of musical styles that combined power metal with old school death metal and traditional heavy metal elements [1]. Their creative approach became clear through industrial music elements in "Justified" and classical influences in "Tears of Bitterness" [1].
Studio sessions at Børud Lydskredderi
Ole Børud's engineering expertise helped create 12 unique tracks [6]. The album's technical precision stood out as the band redefined the limits with experimental song structures and virtuosic performances [1]. The compositions gained classical depth when Maria Riddervold added her guest violin performances on "Embraced" and "Tears of Bitterness" [1].
The tracks showed amazing variety:
- "Celestial Completion" started with uplifting melodic lead lines
- "Renhetens Elv" brought innovative stop-start dynamics
- "Reflections of A Broken Soul" featured Ole Børud's clean vocals [7]
Mixing challenges
The production team tackled the complex job of balancing multiple sonic elements. In spite of that, they created a surprisingly sharp and clear sound where each instrument had room to breathe [7]. The raw yet precise production captured both the music's aggressive nature and its technical intricacies.
The mixing team focused on clarity as the album moved through different styles. Each element stayed distinct from the blackened fury sections to the progressive passages [7]. The production team managed to keep the guttural intensity while making sure listeners could hear the technical guitar work and intricate drum patterns [8].
The final mix captured the band's vision perfectly by blending extreme metal with progressive elements. The bass guitar stayed present throughout the album, unlike many metal productions where it gets buried [8]. This careful attention to sonic detail helped make "Burial" the standard for technical metal production in the late 1990s [link_2].
Musical Elements
"Christer Espevoll and Ole Børud are absolute riff monsters on this record. The guitars with their smooth and articulate tone dance through acrobatic melodic and atonal single note riffs and seamlessly change to driving tremolo picked melodies before slapping you in the face with huge chords and soaring harmonies." — Anonymous, Reviewer on Encyclopedia Metallum
Burial's sonic world redefines the limits of conventional metal structures through exceptional musicianship. The album's unique mix shows Extol's command over complex compositions with impressive technical skill [9].
Progressive metal influences
The band's progressive elements come alive through their intricate song arrangements and unexpected harmonic choices. Their riffs exceed simple scalar patterns and create emotional responses through innovative melodic structures [9]. The music blends elements of power metal and traditional heavy metal naturally, which becomes clear in tracks like "Renhetens Elv" [1].
Ole Borud's guitar work provides evidence of their progressive approach as he switches between acrobatic melodic runs and intense tremolo-picked sections [9]. On top of that, the acoustic passages in "Burial" and jazz elements in "Superior" show they're willing to experiment beyond genre conventions [4].
Technical innovations
David Husvik's drumming is the life-blood of the album's technical excellence. His performance sets a standard that critics say remained unmatched long after the album's release [9]. His precise rhythmic patterns work perfectly with the complex guitar arrangements.
The album's production emphasizes several groundbreaking elements:
- Flute solo in "Celestial Completion"
- Synthesized sitar opening "Reflections of a Broken Soul"
- Industrial textures in "Justified," featuring metallic screeches [4]
The band's technical skill shows through:
- Bizarre song structures that maintain musical coherence
- Natural transitions between aggressive sections and melodic harmonies
- Exceptional precision in instrumental execution [1]
The mix creates a unique atmosphere where each instrument shines while keeping the album's cohesive sound [9]. This technical mastery goes beyond mere showmanship and serves the songs' emotional depth through varied expressions of darkness, joy, and mysteriousness [9].
Extol's innovative approach to composition on Burial created new standards for technical death metal. They balanced complexity with accessibility to create a template that influenced countless bands in the progressive metal scene [4]. Their blend of diverse musical elements, from jazz to industrial, showed how technical skill could serve artistic vision rather than overshadow it.
Album Release Impact
"Extol's 'Burial' is an absolute masterclass in composition and technical prowess." — Anonymous, Reviewer on Encyclopedia Metallum
Burial's 1998 release made waves in the metal community. Scream magazine named Extol Norway's second-best band [1]. The album made a big impact, especially given how tough the scene was for Christian metal back then.
Reception in 1990s metal scene
Heavy metal had gone mostly underground when Burial came out. Grunge ruled the music scene and mainstream interest in metal had faded [3]. Yet this album became a defining moment for Christian metal. It brought a fresh take to a genre usually linked with darker themes.
Critical reviews
The album's innovative style and technical skill won critics over. AllMusic's Mike DaRonco called it "a breath of fresh air among a genre that relies on satanic gimmicks" [1]. Glenn Harper from The Phantom Tollbooth spotted some production issues but still called it "one of the most refreshingly original Christian metal albums" [1].
RoughEdge.com gave the album three-and-a-half out of four stars [1]. Its legacy lasted well beyond release day. The album ranked 13th on HM magazine's Top 100 Christian metal albums of all-time list in 2010 [1].
Fan response
Metal fans loved the album, though reactions varied due to the band's Christian beliefs [10]. Listeners praised several aspects:
- David Husvik's outstanding drum work
- The complex mix of black metal and technical death metal elements
- Strong quality throughout all tracks [10]
The album's influence reached beyond religious lines. Secular metal fans acknowledged its technical excellence. Even listeners who usually avoided Christian metal respected its sophisticated songwriting and detailed production [9]. Many called it the best debut album they'd heard in the genre [9].
Burial bridged the gap between Christian and secular metal audiences through musical sophistication and authentic extreme metal. The album struck a chord throughout the metal scene and inspired both Christian and non-Christian artists to expand creative horizons [11].
Conclusion
Burial proves Extol's talent to redefine the limits of metal music without compromising their artistic vision. The album showcased technical mastery and state-of-the-art elements that earned respect from Christian and secular metal fans alike, despite the metal scene's challenges at the time.
The album's influence resonates through the metal community even after twenty-five years. Its unique combination of technical death metal, progressive elements, and melodic sophistication has inspired countless bands. Yet few have matched its groundbreaking effect. New generations of musicians still draw inspiration from the exceptional drumming, intricate guitar work, and sophisticated songwriting.
The album ended up achieving something special - it exceeded religious boundaries through pure musical excellence. Extol created one of metal's finest debuts through genuine creativity and flawless execution rather than relying on gimmicks or controversy.
FAQs
Q1. What made Extol's "Burial" album stand out in the Christian metal scene? "Burial" was groundbreaking for its unique blend of melodic death metal and black metal styles. The album showcased Extol's technical proficiency and innovative approach, setting new standards in the genre and earning praise for its fresh sound in Christian metal.
Q2. How did Extol form and develop their early sound? Extol formed in Norway in 1993 when cousins David Husvik and Christer Espevoll started jamming together. They were later joined by Peter Espevoll and Eystein Holm. The band carved their own path in the Norwegian metal scene by focusing on technical proficiency and melodic innovation.
Q3. What were some of the challenges in recording the "Burial" album? The recording process at Børud Lydskredderi studio presented mixing challenges due to the complex sonic elements. The production team had to balance multiple styles, from blackened fury sections to progressive passages, while maintaining clarity across the album's various stylistic shifts.
Q4. How did Extol's musical style evolve over time? Extol's sound evolved from their early technical death metal roots to incorporate more progressive elements. Their later releases, particularly after lineup changes in 2004, showcased a more diverse and energetic sound, blending various metal subgenres with experimental touches.
Q5. What impact did "Burial" have on the metal scene? "Burial" had a significant impact on both the Christian and secular metal scenes. It was praised for its technical excellence and innovative approach, influencing many bands in the progressive metal scene. The album demonstrated how technical proficiency could serve artistic vision in metal music.
References
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_(Extol_album)
[2] - https://www.discogs.com/artist/204320-Extol?srsltid=AfmBOorR5XSoOIM1sYBmAMX3Q8nt5_6NWTri5CdHbLNd7RVEU0SLQlTm
[3] - https://metal.fandom.com/wiki/Christian_metal
[4] - https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Burial.asp
[5] - https://christian-metal.fandom.com/wiki/Extol
[6] - https://www.discogs.com/master/52681-Extol-Burial?srsltid=AfmBOoo9mB6BIYtCmdFvIsLSoguzw_-7g2DgNdH3c7OffYl35syV7MxL
[7] - https://www.nocleansinging.com/2011/01/27/the-synn-report-part-3-extol/
[8] - https://www.nolifetilmetal.com/extol.htm
[9] - https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Extol/Burial/4281/
[10] - https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/extol/burial/
[11] - https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/52797/Extol-Burial/
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