Undeceived

I've always been a die-hard fan of this band, from Burial to even The Blueprint Dives. They always seem to be able to create the exact sound that they are attempting with their albums. Their signature use of instrumentation and composition is reminiscent in Undecieved and is unparalled by any of this band's previous work.

The first few tracks are beautifully done. Inferno and the title track are definitely two highlight tracks on the album, and are still on my all-time favorites list of metal songs. With classical intros, undying thrash aggression, clean vocals and melodies, and passionate guitar solos, the dynamic elements are substantial. The violin and cello usage is quite a change from Burial and Synergy, both previous Extol albums. The classical pieces add a more human element to the overall feel of the album, and allow for a beautiful listen.

Perhaps the most memorable thing about Undecieved is the fact that all instruments are recognized and everything is easy to hear. From bass guitar to harsh vocals, nothing is missed or set behind anything else. The songwriting is beautiful and heavy all at once, reminiscent of something like Opeth or Antestor.

The riffing and guitar work is intruiging, and drags attention away from the likes of lesser bands. Although not as technical or heavy as Necrophagist or Psycroptic, it still deserves recognition and at least a humble appreciation. Extol has always had a tendency to lean toward the more technical, progressive side of the metal genre, but with Undecieved, we see the darker and heavier side of Extol, which is definitely a change for the better.

The fact that this band is Christian turns the ears of many metalheads away simply because of it. But if it's truly metal, who gives a fuck? the lyrical concepts are both intelligent and spiritual. No generic "Christian" lyrics here, only ideas of struggle, sadness, and defeat. Sure, Jesus is mentioned, but a band's beliefs should not affect the listener. The music is all that truly matters.

One of the qualms that I have with this album, and the reason I gave it anything less than a perfect score is the repetitive nature of the album as the listener journeys into the latter half of the album. The songs are slow, dull, and drag themselves slowly along until the album is finished. In my opinion, everything after track five, Meadows of Silence, is not worth listening to. My metal nature makes me listen only to whole albums, but if that's not you, then I suggest only listening to the first few songs (Which are amazing).

In conclusion, I must say that this band and this album are still some of my all time favorites. I beg of you to give this one at least a dying chance or a slight listen. I promise that you will be instantly captivated by the harsh and melodic elements that interlace themselves so beautifully.