Extol

Extol
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1993 in Bekkestua, Norway
Founder	David Husvik, Christer Espevoll
Headquarters	Bekkestua, Norway
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Peter Espevoll, Tor Magne Glidje, Ole Halvard Sveen, David Husvik, John Robert Mjåland, Ole Børud, Christer Espevoll
Products	Music albums, EPs
Website	www.extolweb.com

Extol is a Norwegian extreme metal group originating from Bekkestua, established in 1993. The band is recognized for merging genres such as progressive metal, Christian death metal, black metal, and thrash metal. Since their inception, they have produced five full-length albums and two EPs, beginning with their 1998 debut, Burial. Celebrated for their intricate and precise instrumental skills, their fourth studio release, The Blueprint Dives, was nominated for the Spellemannsprisen award in the Best Metal Album category in 2005. Extol has extensively toured throughout the United States and Europe, sharing stages with notable groups like Mastodon, God Forbid, and Opeth. To date, their global album sales exceed 500,000 copies.

Prior to their break, the band’s lineup consisted of vocalist Peter Espevoll, guitarists Tor Magne Glidje and Ole Halvard Sveen, drummer David Husvik, and bassist John Robert Mjåland. Founding guitarists Ole Børud—also associated with Schaliach—and Christer Espevoll contributed significantly to the songwriting process. When Extol reunited in 2012, the members included Espevoll, Husvik, and Børud; they subsequently released their fifth album, Extol, in 2013. After another hiatus spanning from 2017 to 2023, the band regrouped featuring Peter and Christer Espevoll, David Husvik, and Ole Børud. In 2023, Extol resumed live performances with Elisha Mullins as touring vocalist and issued two singles in early 2024. Additionally, Bruce Fitzhugh served as a live vocalist during their 2024 tour across the United States.

1993–1999: Formation and Burial

Extol was established in Bekkestua, Norway by cousins drummer David Husvik and guitarist Christer Espevoll when both were sixteen years old. Christer’s younger brother, Peter, then fourteen, joined as the lead singer, while bassist Eystein Holm became part of the group in May 1994. The name "Extol" embodies their purpose to "honor God fully through both life and music." Their objective was to transcend conventional heavy metal boundaries by incorporating a more progressive metal sound. To aid this evolution, guitarist Emil Nikolaisen joined the lineup in 1995.

The band earned local acclaim by featuring on the Norwegian metal compilation Northern Lights released in January 1996 alongside other Christian metal performers. After performing their first show outside Norway in Stockholm later that year, Nikolaisen departed towards the end of 1996 and was succeeded by Ole Børud, known from Schaliach.

In 1997, Extol independently launched a three-track demo titled Embraced. Their debut album, Burial, was recorded without label backing but subsequently signed by Endtime Productions and released in December 1998. The album saw distribution through licensing deals with Solid State Records in the United States and Avalon Records in Japan. It garnered widespread praise from both Christian music critics and secular reviewers for its innovative contribution to the genre.

Following this release, Extol played at major US festivals including Cornerstone Festival and Texas Rockfest and toured alongside Swedish band Blindside during summer 1999. In November of that year, they issued an EP named Mesmerized, which included remixed versions of tracks from Burial by Swedish industrial acts Raison d'être and Sanctum, along with new material. The EP received mixed reactions from fans. Shortly thereafter, Holm left the band and was replaced by bassist Tor Magne Glidje, formerly of Norwegian metal group Lengsel.

2000–2003: Undeceived and Synergy

In December 1999, Extol entered the studio to produce their sophomore album. Released in June 2000, Undeceived showcased a transition towards a heavier, more intense death metal style. The song "Ember" quickly gained popularity among fans. Following the departure of guitarist Børud, Glidje moved to guitar duties while John Robert Mjåland joined as bassist.

The band recorded the EP Paralysis in 2001, which was released exclusively in Sweden and included a cover of "Shadow of Death" by thrash metal pioneers Believer, a significant influence on Extol’s sound. Subsequently, Glidje left to concentrate on Ganglion, and Børud rejoined the lineup. After their contract with Endtime Productions concluded, Extol signed with Century Media in 2002. Their 2003 album Synergy further incorporated elements inspired by Believer's thrash metal approach. Extol supported the release with tours across Europe and the United States alongside Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth.

2004–2008: The Blueprint Dives and hiatus

In June 2004, both Børud and Christer Espevoll left Extol to explore other musical ventures. Tor Magne Glidje and Ole Halvard Sveen from Ganglion were brought in as full-time members, effectively blending the two groups.

Released in 2005, The Blueprint Dives highlighted Extol’s most eclectic sound to date. The album received a nomination for the Norwegian Grammy Award in the best metal album category and was voted among the top five metal releases of the year by readers of Norway’s largest newspaper, Dagbladet. The band toured Europe with Mastodon, God Forbid, and Opeth, as well as the US alongside Winter Solstice, Becoming the Archetype, and The Showdown. Critics acclaimed the album; Allmusic awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its distinctiveness. Glidje disclosed that many compositions originated from his work with Ganglion.

On August 9, 2007, Extol announced an indefinite hiatus. Following this, Glidje, Mjåland, and Sveen formed Mantric, signing with Prosthetic Records. Meanwhile, Husvik joined Dr. Midnight and the Mercy Cult, a supergroup featuring members from Turbonegro, Apoptygma Berzerk, and Satyricon.

2012–present: Documentary, Extol, hiatus and reunion

Extol reassembled as a trio in 2012 with Peter Espevoll, Husvik, and Børud, announcing a documentary titled Extol: of Light and Shade. On April 23, 2013, they unveiled their fifth studio album, Extol, scheduled for release in June. The single "Open the Gates" was made available via YouTube streaming. Indie Recordings handled the album’s release on June 21 in Norway, Germany, and Austria; it followed worldwide on June 24, with North American distribution by Facedown Records on June 25. The album debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In July 2014, Extol performed live for the first time since 2006, introducing touring musicians Marcus Bertilsson (guitar) and Ole Vistnes (bass). The documentary was subsequently released. By 2017, Extol was recognized among Norway’s top 20 progressive metal bands.

Afterward, the band entered another hiatus extending until 2023. During this interval, Espevoll departed due to other commitments, leaving Husvik and Børud as core members. Husvik became involved with Azusa (band), reuniting with original member Christer Espevoll; meanwhile Børud contributed to Fleshkiller.

On January 18, 2023, Extol announced their reunion to perform at Furnace Fest 2023 in Alabama alongside other reunited groups such as A Plea for Purging and Becoming the Archetype. However, visa complications forced their withdrawal less than a week before the festival. Shortly thereafter, they confirmed a European reunion appearance at Brainstorm Festival on November 4, 2023, in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands—sharing the bill with acts like Xandria and Serenity. This live lineup featured Husvik, Børud, Christer Espevoll, Tor Magne Glidje, and vocalist Elisha Mullins (A Hill to Die Upon, War of Ages, Fleshkiller). While expressing hope for Peter Espevoll’s return despite his other obligations, they teased new material including his contributions as of August 10.

On September 6, 2024, Furnace Fest announced that Extol would participate in its 2024 edition after successfully obtaining travel visas.

Influences

During the early 2000s, the band drew inspiration from groups such as Believer, Death, Galactic Cowboys, Meshuggah, early Mortification, Rush, and the initial phase of Tourniquet. Christer Espevoll attributed much of his guitar technique to fellow members Emil Nikolaisen and Ole Børud. After the 2005 release of The Blueprint Dives, their range of influences broadened to include artists like A-ha, Anathema, Nick Cave, The Crucified, The Cure, Cynic, Faith No More, Kings X, Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Refused, Sixteen Horsepower, Tool, and Tourniquet. Upon their reunion in 2012, Ole Børud mentioned influences spanning from Death to Yes and Steely Dan to Jason Falkner. He also highlighted classic bands such as Rush, Genesis, and Yes, alongside traditional church hymns and jazz compositions by Chris Potter. The band continues to hold a deep respect for pioneering death metal acts including Death and Pestilence.

Band members

Current members

Ole Børud – guitar and vocals (1996–2000, 2003–2004, 2012–2017, 2023–present), bass (2012–2017, 2023–present), flute (1996–1999)
Christer Espevoll – guitar (1993–2004, 2023–present), bass (2023–present)
David Husvik – drums and backing vocals (1993–2007, 2012–2017, 2023–present)
Peter Espevoll – lead vocals (1993–2007, 2012–2017, 2023–present)

Former members

Eystein Holm – bass (1993–1999)
Emil Nikolaisen – guitar (1995–1996)
John Robert Mjåland – bass (2001–2007)
Ole Halvard Sveen – guitar and vocals (2004–2007)
Tor Magne Glidje – bass (1999–2001, live in 2023), guitars (2004–2007)

Live musicians

Ole Vistnes – bass (2014–2017)
Marcus Bertilsson – guitar (2014–2017)
Elisha Mullins – vocals (2023–2024)
Bruce Fitzhugh – vocals (2024–present)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

1998: Burial
2000: Undeceived
2003: Synergy
2005: The Blueprint Dives
2013: Extol

EPs

1999: Mesmerized
2001: Paralysis
2023: Labyrinth of Ill / Exigency

Compilations

1996: Northern Lights / Norwegian Metal Compilation (Rowe Productions 012)

Videos

2015: Of Light and Shade

External links