Customer Reviews

Undeceived

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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

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.

It is very difficult to describe music in words. And it does not help me to have to use a language that is not my own. I am Icelandic and would do a better job using Icelandic.

Undeceived is my very favorite cd of all time. It is some sort of death metal, but very different from the Florida-style bands like Cannibal Corpse. It has influence from all genres of metal. Sometimes it is rather slow, and the guitars make soothing melancholy melodies. Sometimes the pace is quite fast. The vocals consist in brutal growls, (sometimes a bit hardcore, or black metal like) but there are clean vocals as well. The song writing is very well done and thoughtful. There are a lot of stop and go, off beats and rhythm changes on the disk, but I think the songs are still manly based on the melodies. There is some use of classical instruments (violins) on there also. It is complicated, melodic and brutal. The band members seem to be very devoted to the Lord, and that is what I love most about them.

Well worth your time and hearing loss!! Turn this up loud and hold on... good lyrics, super speedy riffs, good tempo changes. How is it that Norwegians can thrash that hard?? Is it the long winters?? ;)

Top Tracks: "Undeceived" is blazing; a metal must hear. "A Structure of Souls" is a beautiful song that holds so much emotion it's guaranteed to move you.

Ok, for all of the people who have been saying crap about christianity having nothing to do with metal, total bullcrap. I bought this cd awhile back just never took the time to review it. It combines (already said) melodic and beautiful instrumentals to a Death Metal feel. It's a truely unique cd that won't disappoint.

1. Inferno:9/10
2. Undeceived:10/10 One of my favorites.
3. Time Stands Still:10/10 Just amazing
4. Ember:9/10 Uses some clean vocals, very well done.
5. Meadows of Silence:8/10 Instrumental Acoustic
6. Shelter:8/10 I love this song, it just get's a bit dull near the end.
7. A Structure of Souls:9/10 More clean Vocals to the verses.
8. Of Light and Shade:10/10 I've seen some reviews that do not like this song but in my opinion one of the best songs on the album.
9. Where Sleep is Rest:7/10 This is another instrumental song that's well done but just get's a bit boring through it.
10. Renewal:7/10
11. Abandoned:6/10 Abandoned is odd since it doesn't have any singing or much of anything really. It just has some odd effects rapped with some either a violin or some other instrument in that category.
12. And I Watch:9/10 A very good closing song. I love when it get's kind of low right before the verse and just kicks in with the double bass and this death metal lick.

In closing, Undeceived is one of the best purchases I've made on a cd.

Christian musicians have long been accused of stealing from other genres of music while not contributing any interesting or worthwhile ideas of their own. So it was only a matter of time before they moved into the realm of black metal; which is largely about paganism, Satanism or other things anti-Christian. And the band that epitomizes the Christian Black Metal movement is Extol. However, the stereotypes that hold Christian musicians to be uncreative, boring, or just plain untalented are ungrounded on their outstanding album UNDECEIVED.

This album is a excellent display of professionalism; especially in the musicianship, songwriting, and production areas. Those who place high standards for their heavy metal, Christian or otherwise, should check it out. A few of the albums bright spots - not that anything here is bad - include:

1. Inferno - An uncompromisingly brutal death metal track that sets the tone for the whole album. Fine use of cellos.

2. Undeceived - A powerful theatrical song about a girl who narrowly escapes damnation. The only complaint I have is that there aren't enough guitar solos like the one on the end of this song. But I won't subtract any points since this album is brilliant in just about every other aspect.

3. Time Stands Still - There are some crazy riffs on this number - gotta love that intro too.

4. Ember - One of three songs (the other two being A Structure of Souls and Renewal) that alternate between beautiful clean vocals and fearsome death metal growls and screams.

5. Meadows of Silence - An incredible, but brief acoustic instrumental that's perfect for lulling a child with the Terrible Twos to sleep.

6. Where Sleep Is Rest - A traditional metal instrumental that has a nice acoustic outro. Nothing wrong with it, but it would have been better for it to be 3-4 minutes longer.

7. And I Watch - UNDECEIVED doesn't end with a whimper or a bang. It ends with a nuclear explosion. Fans of fast, technical guitar riffing and blast beats will find something to love here.

Anyone who passes Extol off as just another "preachy Christian" band is missing out on something that has the potential toward becoming their favorite band. But don't take my word for it, do yourself a favor and check it out.

This is proof that death metal doesn't always have to be about evil things. This swedish death metal band did good on this cd. This is the first time i ever checked out an extol cd, And i must say, I'm pretty impressed. They even made good use of violins on this cd! Extol makes great melodic death metal that should be pleasing to all metal fans. The best songs of the album are ''Of light and shade'' [The best song on here], ''A structure of souls'', ''Ember'', ''Renewal'', and The title track. Some christians wanna critcize bands like Extol for embracing death metal, Being that death metal is known for being music about satan. Extol is a good band. And i might conisder buying another Extol cd someday, Being that this one was good to me. Death metal fans should love this cd.

Oh my. Mmm, mmm. This is probably THE best metal release I've heard in the last ten years in any style, grind-core, black metal, hard-core, nu-metal, you name it. I've been listening to stuff like this for about 15 years and I am extremely impressed by these guys. I am a musician and I still listen to heavy acts like ZAO, Living Sacrifice, Tourniquet, Project 86, Dream Theater, old Mortification, Paramaecium, Believer (you get the idea).

Perhaps I should say I am in awe of Extol's musical delivery. It is nothing short of breath-taking. The music is as intense and technical as I've ever heard (think a mixture of Meshuggah, Living Sacrifice, Coalesce and the like), but with a distinctive Norwegian black metal flair which includes a heavy emphasis on melody. While I enjoy the less melodic work of bands such as Meshuggah, Extol not only packages that same intensity, it also breaks up songs with incredibly powerful, often beautiful guitar harmonies and progressions. The clean vocals are really nice alongside the growling and the instrumentals (especially the beautiful acoustic number) break up the album very nicely.

I've rarely heard an album that flowed as well as this one. While I thought "Burial" was a great release, it pales compared to this masterpiece. The power of the title track is something that must be heard to be understood. "Ember" is also an amazing track that showcases the best of all aspects of the band-especially its' prog influence. Finally, when was the last time you heard such a gorgeous guitar break in this type of music as is heard about three minutes into "And I Watch"? I was STUNNED. You just don't hear that type of thing in black/death metal.

If it were possible to rate this album higher I would have. Extremely recommended for hard music fans. All the buzz you hear is true...

Undeceived is IT. In the Christian Metal batch...this cd wipes the floor with ANYTHING I have heard. Its a shame that there arent more Christian bands out there that can hack this level of metal authority. In comparison to secular extreme/death metal...I have yet to come across anything that surpasses the package that Extol delivered with Undeceived. Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, and even the tech metal bands like B/w the Buried and Me, Death, Cynic, etc...all great bands. But nothing like Undeceived. Its got everything you want from this type of band, and everything that MOST of the bands DONT do.

Standard stuff:

Its heavy. Rediculously heavy (B tuning), but also clear and understandable. Its technical. Polymeter, odd times, syncopation, etc...its all in there. Some of the best metal riffs I have encountered lie on this disc. The music is tight and everything is audible, even the bass.

Not so standard stuff (as far as the Death Metal genre goes):

Its got GROOVE. You can seriously headbang to this stuff...but you often have to think about it to do it, b/c of the rhythmic syncopation. Its got MELODY. I can hum everything on the CD, even the insane riffs. Its DIFFERENT. Never heard anything like it. Every song sounds totally unique, but in a musical, satisfying way.

I listen to everything. Classical, Jazz (REAL jazz), Rock, Metal, Country, Blues, Etc. I am also a guitar player and music major. I like melodic and memorable music. Not stuff thats just technical for the sake of being technical. This CD has remained a standby for the last 4 or 5 years..while other guys like Children of Bodom, B/w the Buried and Me, Dream Theater, Scar Symmetry, etc., have received less and less play time over the years. This CD is consistent. When I want face melting metal, I turn to Undeceived.

Any true metal head should be impressed.