Extol

Item: The Blueprint Dives
Author: Matt Morrow

The Blueprint Dives

(2005)

Reviewed by Matt Morrow

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Label Century MediaHM Magazine #114July/August 2005

alternative metal black metal melodic death metal progressive metal

If there is one band whose fans are extremely passionate, it must be Extol. Whenever they come out with a new album, it’s talked about, praised, and criticized from the first time some idiot leaks a pre-release to long after the next disc appears. There are Extol followers who love everything about the band, and there are those who haven’t liked a thing since Burial, but continue to buy their albums hoping for a return to the “glory days.” Now, Century Media claims that this is Extol’s heaviest album to date. I think CM needs to clean the wax out of their ears if they think this disc is heavier than Undeceived. Despite that mis-statement, Extol’s brand of metal does get very heavy at times on this disc. But if you think Extol was content with their sound on Synergy...think again. Where Synergy found the band in technical thrash mode, The Blueprint Dives, very simply put, finds the band playing a style that is much more melodic than their past work. Try mixing a touch of Synergy with influences from the rock band Ganglion. Only, that description barely touches the tip of the iceberg. A very dark approach is taken on many of the songs on this disc, like on the haunting tune, “The Death Sedative” or the ominous “Things I Found.” They even do a couple nods to their one-time tour mates, Opeth, on a few songs. Vocally, the band dives heavily into clean, melodic vocals mixed with some thrashy/screamed vocals. And while Synergy felt bland and feeling-less at times, The Blueprint Dives seems to overflow with passion throughout all eleven songs. I really miss the old Extol, but this new disc is a breath of fresh air. You must get past the fact that Extol has moved on. This is not a progressive death or technical thrash fest anymore. In fact, the band is far less technical on this disc than on past efforts. But the songs have more staying power and fans that give this album a chance will be greatly rewarded.

Ratings – Doug Van Pelt 3/5, Matt Morrow 4/5