Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Extol, 'Labyrinth Of Ill / Exigency - Single'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Extol
Labyrinth Of Ill / Exigency - Single



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Metal / Death Metal
Album length: 2 tracks: 9 minutes, 9 seconds
Street Date: October 12, 2023


READER RATING:   


If you're talking about the greats of Christian metal, one name that is crucial to the conversation is the Norwegian progressive death metal act Extol. The band's members have been active with various other projects lately (Azusa, Hrada, Fleshkiller), but it's been an entire decade since Extol's last album. After their Furnace Fest '23 plans fell through, fans were left wondering about the future of the band. But thankfully, it didn't take long to hear the wonderful news: the band is back properly, and new music is on the way.

Our first taste of what's to come is a double single from their forthcoming, as-of-yet untitled sixth studio album. The first song, "Labyrinth of Ill," slowly builds into pummeling riffs, which lead the way for Peter Espevoll to come in with his signature growling vocals. The song is also home to Extol's classic, haunting clean vocals, as well as technical guitar riffs and solos. It's a hopeful song, too, addressing the eternal hope we have, even in the midst of darkness ("Fervor lost, my heart bereft / in the blustering of doubt and despair / I've lost my grasp on what was just / yet a glimmer of deliverance is here … though my path may waver, and I may stray / love and community will lead the way / in the embrace of compassion, I shall find peace / hope and unity shall never cease"). "Exigency" takes a different approach to songwriting, utilizing more of a death metal style of lyricism, maximizing their vocabulary with each and every line, with its talk of "viral zoonotic and vector-borne diseases." It's less encouraging than the track before it ("Altering the distribution and abundance of species / increasement of pest and invasive breeds / severe droughts and toxic waters") and more apocalyptic (or maybe even about the plagues in Egypt from the book of Exodus). However, it's a hard-hitting track that pairs nicely with "Labyrinth," picking up right where they left off with their 2013 self-titled album.

These singles are only a small glimpse of the impending full-length, but it's enough to show the world that 1) Extol hasn't lost a step, and 2) whatever they've got cooking is sure to be a gourmet meal. Whether you're a fan of the band or just a fan of the genre and have never even heard of Extol, you're going to want to get these songs into your life. Probably ought to jump on the album pre-sales when they go live, too.

- Review date: 10/8/23, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Solid State Records
. Album length: 2 tracks: 9 minutes, 9 seconds
. Street Date: October 12, 2023
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Vinyl)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Labyrinth Of Ill (4:38)
  2. Exigency (4:31)

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images