-Extol-

Extol came to life in the fall of 1993. David Husvik (drums) and Christer Espevoll (guitar) had been jamming for a few months and wanted to start a band. So Peter Espevoll joined on vocals. At that time David and Christer were 16 and Peter was 14.

17th of May 1994 we had our first gig, and just in time to rehearse the songs for that show, Eystein Holm joined us on bass. After a while we wanted to try out with a second guitarist, and that's when Emil Nikolaisen hooked up with us in 1995. We played all the local shows and started to get a name in the local scene.

In January 1996 we recorded three songs for a Norwegian metal compilation that was released by Australian Rowe Productions. It was called 'Northern Lights' and the other Norwegian acts GROMS, Schaliach and Antestor also participated with three songs each. This was our first studio recording. In March 1996 we had our first show outside Norway. We played at The Gate (K23) in Stockholm, Sweden.

November the same year we recorded a three song demo ('Embraced') that we sent around to different labels. Metal Blade showed their interest, but a signing never happened. Musically, everything until this demo, we'd rather just forget.

Ole Børud from Schaliach had been stepping in on bass on a few shows since our bassist Eystein did his duties in the army. Ole also played bass on 'Embraced'. Not long after the recording Emil decided to leave the band to give all his attention to his other band Royal. It was natural that Ole replaced Emil and became a permanent member of Extol.

In the late summer of 1997 we recorded our first full length album 'Burial'. We weren't on a label at the time, and almost a year went by before Samuel Durling and Endtime Productions picked us up.

1998 was in many ways a breakthrough for Extol. We signed with Endtime, we played our first shows in the US (Texas Rockfest and Cornerstone festival), and 'Burial' was licensed to Solid State for the US and to Avalon for Japan.

1999 we released the ep 'Mesmerized' with an industrial twist on three remixes from 'Burial', a little snack for the fans waiting for a new full-length. In the summer of the same year we did a four week US tour with Blindside and Grace for the Fallen. This was a very good experience for us. 1999 was also the year Eystein left the band and Tor Magne Glidje came in as our new bassist.

In December of 1999 we recorded 'Undeceived'. It turned out to be heavier and much darker than 'Burial'. It was very hard, yet melodic. A few months later Ole decided to leave the band. He wanted to persue his non-metal musical interests. Tor Magne, who originally plays guitar, took Oles place and Jon Robert Mjåland joined us on bass.

Summer 2000 came and we toured the US again. We would like to mention Club 412 in Fort Worth, TX, the coolest venue to play. Incredible crowd!! Playing Cornerstone the third consecutive year was great.

In the spring of 2001 we recorded the material for another ep, 'Paralysis'. This was a Sweden release only on Endtime Productions. We decided to cover Believers 'Shadow of Death'. Believer have been of great influence to us and this is our tribute to them.

In November and December 2001 we did our first European tour outside Scandinavia.

After the release of Undeceived, our obligations to Endtime Productions were fulfilled. The 9th of March 2002, after more than one year of negotiating, we finally signed a contract with Century Media. In the signing process, 'Undeceived' was also licensed by Century Media for Europa and was released the 29th of April 2002.

Our first album on Century Media, "Synergy" was released in 2003.