Editing Extol (section)

== History ==
===1993–1999: Formation and ''Burial''===
Extol was formed in [[Bekkestua]], Norway by cousins drummer [[David Husvik]] and guitarist [[Christer Espevoll]], who were both 16 at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Extol-Dec2003.htm|title=Metal-Rules.com: Interview with Christer Espevoll of Extol|website=www.metal-rules.com|access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Extol_Norwegian_hard_music_band_present_the_church_of_noise/8488/p1/|title=Extol: Norwegian hard music band present the church of noise - Extol|website=www.crossrhythms.co.uk|access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref> The two had jammed together since fall 1993 and wanted to start a band. Christer's brother [[Peter Espevoll|Peter]], 14 was recruited for vocal duties.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Bassist Eystein Holm joined on 17 May 1994 as the band was rehearsing for a show that day.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> 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."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Shari |date=July 1999 |title=A Feature Article by The Phantom Tollbooth |url=http://www.tollbooth.org/features/extol99.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306155207/http://www.tollbooth.org/features/extol99.html |archive-date=March 6, 2001 |access-date=18 April 2016 |website=The Phantom Tollbooth}}</ref> Extol wanted to expand their musical style beyond regular [[heavy metal music]]—according to [[AllMusic]] writer Mike DaRonco, the band intended to show "more of a [[progressive metal|progressive side]]; rather than a typical run of the mill group of burnouts who focused more on their image."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/extol-mn0000152515/biography|title=Extol {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref> The style change necessitated another guitarist, a position [[Emil Nikolaisen]] of the band Royal filled in 1995.<ref name=":3" />

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 (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.<ref name=":3" />

In 1997, Extol released an independent three-song demo: ''Embraced''. A studio album 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 (Extol 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. DaRonco commented that it was "a breath of fresh air among a genre that relies on satanic gimmicks."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/burial-mw0000046278|title=Burial - Extol {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref>

Shortly after, the band played their first shows in the US at [[Cornerstone Festival]] and Texas Rockfest. Extol conducted a four-week tour with Swedish rock band [[Blindside (band)|Blindside]] in summer 1999. An EP, ''[[Mesmerized (Extol album)|Mesmerized]]'', was released in November. It featured three remixed tracks from ''Burial'', which were reworked by Swedish [[Industrial music|industrial]] groups [[Raison d'être (band)|Raison d'être]] and [[Sanctum (band)|Sanctum]], and three other songs; a recently recorded one, an outtake, and a track from the Japanese release. The reception from fans was generally negative. Holm soon left the band and was replaced by [[Tor Magne Glidje]], who played guitar in the Norwegian metal band [[Lengsel]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=17|title=Century Media Records - Extol|website=www.centurymedia.com|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426153532/http://www.centurymedia.com/artist.aspx?IdArtist=17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2000–2003: ''Undeceived'' and ''Synergy''===
Extol returned to the studio in December 1999 to record a follow-up album. In June 2000, their second studio album, ''[[Undeceived]]'', was released. The release saw their music become "harder and darker" than their previous work, opting to move towards a [[death metal]] sound. The song "Ember" proved to be a popular song among their fans. Børud then left the band,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitarist-ole-borud-explains-decision-to-leave-extol/|title=Guitarist Ole Borud Explains Decision To Leave Extol|date=24 May 2004|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]]|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.insidemusicast.com/musicasts/2011/4/18/ole-borud.html|title=Inside Musicast - Interviewing the True Musicians - musicasts - Ole Borud|date=18 April 2011|website=Inside Musicast|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> so Glidje switched over to guitar, and John Robert Mjåland joined as bassist.<ref name=":4" />

In 2001, another EP, ''Paralysis'', was recorded; it was only released in Sweden.  This EP featured a cover of "Shadow of Death" by the American thrash metal group [[Believer (band)|Believer]], whom the band considers to be a great influence. After ''Paralysis'', Glidje left the band to focus on his other project, Ganglion, and Børud returned to the line-up.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1"/> After ''Undeceived'' was released, Extol was no longer obligated to Endtime Productions, and they signed with [[Century Media Records|Century Media]] in 2002.<ref name=":4" /> Their album, ''[[Synergy (Extol album)|Synergy]]'', released in 2003, showed an even greater appreciation of the band Believer and their style of thrash metal. Following the release, Extol toured Europe and US with the Swedish progressive death metal group [[Opeth]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Century Media Records - Extol: : On tour with Opeth!|url=https://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=3450&IdCompany=3|access-date=20 April 2021|website=www.centurymedia.com}}</ref>

===2004–2008: ''The Blueprint Dives'' and hiatus===
In June 2004, Børud and Christer Espevoll left Extol to "invest their time and energy elsewhere".<ref>Spitzer, Bradley (2005). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue/issue_112/extol.php |date=* |title=HM - Extol }}. ''[[HM Magazine]]''. Retrieved on 28 October 2016.</ref> Taking their place as permanent members in the band were Tor Magne Glidje and Ole Halvard Sveen, both from Ganglion,<ref name=":4" /> which merged with Extol when four out of five band members ended up playing in both bands.

In 2005, the band released what could be considered their most diverse album, ''The Blueprint Dives''. A music video was shot for the song "Pearl". The album was nominated for the Norwegian Grammy, [[Spellemannprisen]], for best Norwegian metal album in 2005. The album was voted among the top five metal albums of the year by readers of Norway's largest newspaper, ''[[Dagbladet]]''. Afterwards, Extol toured Europe with [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]], [[God Forbid]], and Opeth, and the US with Winter Solstice, [[Becoming the Archetype]], and [[The Showdown (band)|The Showdown]]. The album received rave reviews: Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic gave the album 4.5/5 and writes that "to Extol's greatest credit, offhand comparisons to other bands are almost impossible!" According to Glidje, a majority of the songs on ''The Blueprint Dives'' had previously been written as Ganglion songs.<ref name="Labeled">{{cite web|url=https://labeledpodcast.com/blog/scan|title=Cross Pollination With The Scandinavian Metal Scene|website=Labeled Podcast|first=Tor Magne|last=Glidje|date=13 July 2020|access-date=22 December 2020}}</ref>

On 9 August 2007 the band announced through their MySpace page that they were taking a hiatus.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Glidje, Mjåland and Sveen went on to form [[Mantric]], signed to [[Prosthetic Records]]. Husvik joined [[Doctor Midnight & The Mercy Cult|Dr. Midnight and the Mercy Cult]], which includes members from [[Turbonegro]], [[Apoptygma Berzerk]] and [[Satyricon (band)|Satyricon]].

===2012–present: Documentary, ''Extol'', hiatus and reunion===
In 2012, Extol reformed as a trio consisting of Peter Espevoll, Husvik, and Børud, and announced that a documentary about the band, titled ''Extol: of Light and Shade'', was being produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=180178 |title=Extol Documentary in the Works |date=October 2012 |publisher=Blabbermouth.Net |access-date=14 April 2013}}</ref> On 23 April 2013, Extol announced that their fifth album, ''[[Extol (album)|Extol]]'', was to be released in June. Upon this announcement, the single "Open the Gates" was released for streaming on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reactivated Extol To Release New Album in June|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=189084|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|publisher=[[Roadrunner Records]]|access-date=23 April 2013|date=23 April 2013}}</ref> Indie Recordings released the album on 21 June in Norway, Germany, and Austria, and on 24 June worldwide. [[Facedown Records]] released the album on 25 June for North America. The album debuted at No. 23 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Christian Albums]] chart. In July 2014, the band performed their first live concert since 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/extol-teases-upcoming-live-performances|title=EXTOL Teases Upcoming Live Performances|website=Metal Injection|first=Greg|last=Kennelty|date=5 February 2014|access-date=25 September 2017}}</ref> On 17 July, they introduced the names of the additional two touring members: Marcus Bertilsson ([[Inevitable End]], [[Miseration]]) on guitar and Ole Vistnes ([[Shining (Norwegian band)|Shining]], [[Tristania (band)|Tristania]], [[Fleshkiller]]) on bass.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ExtolOfficial/posts/563519610425572 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/237631086347761/563519610425572 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Extol - I guess it's time to introduce our two new live...|publisher=[[Facebook]]|date=7 July 2014|access-date=25 September 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The documentary was later released.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/reviews/film-review-extols-of-light-and-shade-sheds-light-on-the-christian-extreme-metal-band|title=Film Review: Extol's Of Light and Shade Sheds Light on the Christian Extreme Metal Band|work=Metal Injection|first=Aaron|last=Lambert|date=22 June 2015|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref> The band made it onto a list of the top 20 best Norwegian progressive metal bands in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prog-sphere.com/specials/20-best-norwegian-prog-bands/|title=20 Best Norwegian Prog Bands|publisher=Prog-Sphere|author=Prog Sphere|date=17 April 2017|access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref> The band went on hiatus until 2023.<ref name="Hiatus">{{cite news |title=Fleshkiller (Feat. Extol Guitarist) Debut Album ''Awaken'', Due In September |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/fleshkiller-feat-extol-guitarist-debut-album-awake-due-in-september/ |access-date=30 June 2017 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref> During the hiatus, Espevoll quit the band due to other commitments, leaving Husvik and Børud as sole members.<ref name="Q&A">{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/interviews/qa-ole-borud-extol-on-the-awakening-of-fleshkiller|title=Q&A: Ole Børud (EXTOL) On The Awakening Of FLESHKILLER - Metal Injection|date=31 August 2017|access-date=31 August 2017}}</ref> Husvik went on to play in a project called [[Azusa (band)|Azusa]] with Christer Espevoll, one of the original members, while Børud went on to perform in Fleshkiller.<ref name="Q&A"/>

On January 18, 2023, Extol announced a reunion for [[Furnace Fest]] of 2023, hosted in Alabama, alongside additional reunited acts [[A Plea for Purging]], [[Training for Utopia]], [[Haste the Day]] and [[Becoming the Archetype]].<ref name="Reunion">{{cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=January 18, 2023 |title=EXTOL Reunites, Booked For Furnace Fest 2023 |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/reunited/is-extol-teasing-a-reunion |accessdate=January 18, 2023 |website=Metal Injection}}</ref> Unfortunately, citing visa issues, they were forced to withdraw less than a week before the event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Extol bow out of Furnace Fest citing visa issues |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/40253/extol-bow-out-of-furnace-fest-citing-visa-issues/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=lambgoat.com |language=en}}</ref> Shortly after, it was announced Extol would also do a European reunion show for Brainstorm Festival on November 4, 2023, in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, alongside acts like Xandria, Serenity, Temperance and In Vain. With the announcements, they released the band's live lineup consisting of Husvik, Børud, Christer Espevoll, Tor Magne Glidje, and vocalist [[Elisha Mullins]] ([[A Hill to Die Upon]], [[War of Ages]], Fleshkiller). The band expressed their want for Peter to return but that he had other commitments. They also teased new music with Peter on August 10.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://metalinjection.net/news/extol-is-teasing-reunion-with-original-members-and-new-music | title=EXTOL is Teasing Reunion with Original Members and New Music | date=10 August 2018 }}</ref>  On September 6, 2024 Furnace Fest announced Extol would be playing at the fest in 2024 and visas had already been secured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Extol added to Furnace Fest 2024 after securing travel visas |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/43947/extol-added-to-furnace-fest-2024-after-securing-travel-visas/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Lambgoat |language=en}}</ref>