When Solid State signed Extol, I was impressed. I thought they had signed the perfect black metal band. They've definitely outdone themselves this time. I'm not about to try and decide who's better, but Oslo, Norway's Lengsel, through their unbelievable technical ability and originality is definitely giving Extol a run for their money. Not that there's any competition I'm sure. Lengsel's frontman, guitarist / vocalist Tor Magne Glidje also plays bass for Extol.
As soon as I started listening to this album, I was blown away. Words I would use to describe the sound of this album would be explosive, chaotic, and complex, yet the sprinkling of piano, ambient keyboards and other instruments add a much needed variety to the music, making the music downright scarey at times. The third track on the album begins with what sounds like a harpsichord which continues throughout the song, adding something new that I haven't heard before. The voice alternates between a death metal rasp / growl, common to bands like Carcass, Zao, and Extol, to strong, smoothly sung vocals. Another stand out track, "Avmakt," is sung in what I'm assuming to be Norwegian, as if that makes any difference, which serves as a perfect ending for the album. This is definitely the most progressive, complex song on the CD. This song pulls out all the stops, even with an instrumental piano / synth pad interlude halfway through the song. This album is absolutely incredible.
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis Norwegian band makes extreme metal with the emphasis on Extreme. This is not clear when you listen to the title-song which starts off this album with a dark but not heavy ocean-full of noises. But then follows Revival with fast rolling double-bass, roaring guitars and a pounding bass. This must be the soundtrack of someone being in the middle of a thunderstorm, out on the sea. Lengsel is a…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Josh SpencerIt's strange that Tooth and Nail is signing these Norwegian imports to their Solid State hardcore imprint, first Extol and now, Lengsel (obviously, the fact that the guitarist/ vocalist for Lengsel is also the bassist for Extol had something to do with it). Let's hope T&N head honcho Brandon Ebel continues to be true to his metal roots--he used to work for Frontline, Napalm Death was listed as…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by CrusaderSolace is a cd for which I have mixed feelings. Nothing to do with lyrics though, well not really anyways, cause I don't even usually pay attention to lyrics when listening to music, of course there's always the exceptions but anyhow.. If you've read other reviews of mine, you probably know by now I'm one of those people who can't stand sucky production. That is my only complaint with this cd.…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by D_ListerI'll bet you were expecting a higher rating on this album from me weren't you? Tor Mange, bassist for Extol (a band you KNOW I love) metal from Norway...still it gets a 5 from me why? Well because for this one I broke the rating down to two categories. In this one I rated the music and lyrics separately. For me the music scores a perfect 5 out of 5. This is a CD full of frozen nordic black metal…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by SORGI can not quit listening to this disc!!! (at time of printing) I have owned this for 8 days and it has not left my disc changer yet. I listen to this masterpiece at least once through daily. It is that good!!! The music is brilliant and also very hard to describe. The overall sound is black metal but unlike any black band I have ever heard. There are bound to be some comparisons to Extol mostly…Similar sounding releases
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1996EmperorIn the Nightside Eclipse
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1998AntestorThe Return of the Black Death
2003MoriahWhere, Death, Is Your Victory
