Undeceived

Extol | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Solid State Records
• ASIN: B00004TM1A
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,662 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Japanese version of 2000 release for Norwegian death metal act. Featuring earlier release and two exclusive bonus tracks, 'Human Frailtie's Grave' and 'Storms Of Disillusions'. Standard jewel case. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extol - Undeceived, August 4, 2004

By 

Richard Terry (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Undeceived (Audio CD)

Before I review this album, I am going to say that I am a Christian, but I do not only listen to Christian heavy metal. (See my reviews for great metal bands I enjoy) Yes, I even enjoy some of the music of the highly controversial band, Dimmu Borgir. They are also a talented band, even though I do not agree with their lyrics. I listen to metal with an open mind, but with ears that long for talent. Extol has the talent to be successful in this genre. Now onto the cd....

This is Extol's second release off of the Solid State record label. Extol amazed fans from Norway, which is their native country and metal fans from America with their first relase called 'Burial.' Undeceived is a great follow-up to Burial, but it is better in many ways. The opening track which is titled, Inferno, starts off strong and then gets very symphonic with string sections that play with the guitars. The title track, Undeceived, opens magnificently with violins, and then gets the listener head-banging and falling in love with the music. Ole Borund lets loose his beautiful voice more on this album on the songs, Ember, Structure of Souls, and Renewal. The vocals of Peter Espevoll sound as brutal as ever. His screaming style is a mix between Ihsahn of Emperor and Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, with his awesome growls and black metal inspired screams.

Undeceived flows together very well and I like to classify this release as a type of symphonic black metal mixed with progressive melodic death metal.' Yes, I know there aren't keyboards here like on albums by Dimmu Borgir or Emperor. But, there are strings present in some of the songs. Others would say 'melodic death' or 'progressive death metal.' The thing is, Extol mix many elemants into their music and they can play their instruments extremely well. I have not seen them live yet, but I have heard they are amazing when playing live. I do know that OPETH had Extol open for them for their European tour of the 'Deliverence album.' For all of you metal fans that hate Extol and refuse to listen to their music just because they are Christians should give them a second thought and listen to their music and lyrics with an open mind. Come on, metal fans, CENTURY MEDIA added Extol to their amazing roster of metal bands, apparently with the help of the band, Borknagar. Extol knows how to combine brutality with symphonic elements and proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ with the beautiful genre of heavy metal.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian Death Metal, har har har.., October 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Undeceived (Audio CD)

Yeah, I've always thought of that as a bunch of play-on words. A giant pun. Guess not. Honestly.. I have a hard time swallowing the fact that these guys probably listened to death metal (which is basically all the "lets all murder christians now" theme recycled over and over). Not to mention half the time it's also very violent and very gory at times (hence bands discussing how to properly cut up a body so it sinks when you dump it in the river). Yeah, and now here's death metal all about God's wonderful glory. Woah, that's truely messed up. But hey, I listen to this stuff because it is excellent music.

Amazon took a very bad clip from the song UNDECIEVED.. These guys do a unique thing by using violins here (yeah, I know they are really keyboards).. not to mention this is the second best Death Metal band at doing vocals.. The vocals make it all worth while..
But then the guitars were excellent.. man, if these guys were only Nihilists.. they could rule both worlds.. heh

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging release, August 21, 2000

By 

Dave (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Undeceived (Audio CD)

I found Extol on solid state records by chance. Unknown to Swedish Death Metal, this cd is worth a five star rating. The lyrics are all compiled in the liner notes.The art work has been chosen perfectly. With 12 songs at 57 minutes you get a good listening time. The guitars, vocals, entire presence is tight. Everything falls right into place on time. The guitar riffing is surprised be technical additives. Mellow parts on the cd even everything out, yet it's very hard. The hardcore vocals keep you attentive, then the riffs just crash through the ceiling.If you want a cd in this genre with everything going for it and more, add Extol to your collection. I have the 6 song mesmerized cd, it's also very technical and tight.

What stands out the most is the talent put into this disc, and they're christian belief. They are hardcore to the limit in the christian market and pretty unbelievable in the secular. You can't go wrong with this band. Even if you aren't into thrash/death/black metal, this album will keep you entertained, from the production to it's progressiveness that it possesses. Try it out there's no way you'll be let down.