OH BOY, IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING! 🤩 EXTOL IS BACK, AND I’M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD BE EXCITED OR TERRIFIED 🤯! After a whopping 9-year hiatus, the Norwegian extreme metal innovators are returning with their sixth full-length album, “Aura Of Decay”, set to drop on November 6 via Solid State Records. I mean, it’s not like I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life or anything… 🙄
So, what’s the big deal about EXTOL’s return? Well, for starters, the band’s classic lineup is back, with guitarist Christer Espevoll rejoining the fold. That’s right, folks, the same guys who brought you the critically acclaimed 2013 self-titled release are back to blow your minds once again. The new album was crafted over an extensive writing and recording period, because, you know, perfection takes time. The meticulous production spanned multiple creative hubs, with tracking taking place across Hawk Studios, Little Cave Studio, and Hrada Creative. And, of course, the record was handed over to master engineer Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, who handled mixing and mastering duties. Because, let’s be real, if it’s not mixed and mastered by a genius, it’s not worth listening to.
The Music: A Sonic Odyssey
Musically, EXTOL continues its fearless tradition of charting unknown waters while retaining the distinct signature that has defined the band for decades. The songwriting, complex arrangements, and unmistakable sonic language remain firmly anchored in the adventurous spirit fans have come to expect. And, as a nod to longtime supporters, echoes of the raw and black metal-tinged atmospheres reminiscent of their seminal album Burial surface throughout the album. Because, you know, nostalgia is a powerful thing.
But wait, there’s more! EXTOL has also unveiled an enigmatic new single, “The One And The Many”. Watch the visualizer below, and try to wrap your head around the labyrinthine sonic journey into the heart of modern tribalism. The track offers a thought-provoking exploration of the highly polarized ideological landscape, challenging listeners to question the mechanisms driving our current global divide. And, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, try to decode the tensions between individual identity and systemic erosion in the lyrics. 🤓
Lyrical Themes: Because Who Doesn’t Love a Good Puzzle?
“We are living in an era where truth feels relative, yet tribal dogmas seem to be strengthening,” says Christer. “We wanted the song to mirror that confusion. It is an invitation to look beneath the surface noise of the internet and reflect on how sanctimonious religious and political practices are fed and kept alive by ideology.” Yeah, because that’s exactly what I want to think about when I’m headbanging to some sick metal riffs – the meaninglessness of life and the impending doom of society. 🤣
The track listing for “Aura Of Decay” is as follows:
01. The One And The Many
02. Disintegrate
03. Sanctum
04. Merciless Hunger
05. Vile Path
06. Phantom Dismay
07. Shield And Alibi
08. Wrecked Within Walls
09. Dimness Of Lingering Gloom
10. Beneath The Dirt
11. End Of Times
EXTOL is:
Peter Espevoll – vocals
Ole Børud – guitars, vocals and bass
David Husvik – drums and vocals
Christer Espevoll – guitars
So, there you have it, folks. EXTOL is back, and they’re bringing their unique brand of sonic violence and philosophical introspection to the table. Will you be joining the party? 🎉 Because, honestly, I’m not sure if I’m ready for this level of intensity in my life. 😂
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
