Extol was formed in Bekkestua, Norway by cousins drummer David Husvik and guitarist Christer Espevoll, who were both 16 at the time. 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 on 17 May 1994 as the band was rehearsing for a show that day. 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 heavy metal music to show more of a progressive side. 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, and was replaced by Ole Børud of Schaliach and Arnold B Family. In 1997, Extol released an independent three-song demo: Embraced. A studio album ([r24468086]) 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, 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. Active Years: 1993-2006, 2012-Present
2023
Solid State, Indie Recordings
2xFile, MP3, Single, 256
2015
Indie Recordings
2xDVD-V, Multichannel
2013
2005
Century Media
CD, Single, Enh, Promo
2005
2003
2001
2000
2000
1999
1997
1996
2005
Metal Hammer
DVD, Comp, PAL
1996
Rowe Productions
CD, Comp
2022
Retroactive Records
CD, Smplr
2021
2013
2007
Century Media
3xDVD-V, Comp, NTSC
2006
Inferno (3)
DVD, Comp
2005
Suburban Records
CD, Comp, Smplr
2005
Rock Sound
CD, Enh, Promo, Smplr
2005
Visions Magazine
CD, Comp
2005
Century Media
CD, Comp
2005
Century Media, Century Media
DVD, Comp
2005
Century Media
CD, Promo, Smplr
2005
Metal Hammer
CD, Comp, Promo
2005
Metal Hammer
CD, Comp
2005
Low Frequency Records
CD, Comp
2005
Metal Hammer
DVD, D/Sided, PAL
2005
Century Media
CD, Comp, Promo, Car
2005
Metal & Hard Rock Hammer World
CD, Comp
2005
Century Media
CD, Comp, Promo, Dig
2005
RockHard
CD, Comp, Promo
2005
Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles
CD, Comp, Promo
2005
Concrete Corner
CD, Comp, Promo, Smplr
2005
Virgin Megastores
CD, Comp, Promo
2005
RockHard
CD, Comp, Enh, Car
2005
Century Media, Alveran Records
CD, Comp, Enh
2005
Low Frequency Records
2xCD, Comp
2004
Century Media
2xCD, Comp
2004
RockHard
CD, Comp
2004
Century Media
CD + CD-ROM, MP3 + Comp
2004
Century Media
2xCD, Comp
2004
Promusic Productions
CDr, Comp, Enh, Promo
2004
Century Media Records
CD, Comp
2003
Tooth & Nail Records
Box + 6xCD, Comp
2003
Hard Rock
CD, Promo, Smplr
2003
Century Media
CD, Comp + CD-ROM, Smplr, MP3
2003
Century Media
CD, Promo
2003
Terrorizer
CD, Comp, Promo
2003
Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles
CD, Comp, Promo
2003
RockHard
CD, Comp, Enh, Promo
2003
2003
2002
Solid State
CD, Comp
2002
Legacy Magazine
CD, Comp, Smplr
2001
Solid State
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2001
Solid State
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2000
Endtime Productions
CD, Comp
2000
Black Sun Records
CD, Comp, Promo
1999
1998
Turn Or Burn !?!
7", EP, Smplr
1998
HM Magazine
CD, Comp, Smplr
Not On Label
Cass, Comp
Not On Label
CD, MiniAlbum, Comp
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