Extol are back with “The One and the Many,” the first taste of their upcoming album Aura of Decay, due November 6 through Solid State Records, with publicity handled by Atom Splitter PR.

After more than a decade without a new full length record, the Norwegian metal veterans waste no time reminding listeners what makes them different. “The One and the Many” sucker punches you square in the jaw with shifting rhythms, technical guitar work, aggressive drumming and a structure that refuses to settle into anything predictable.

For longtime Extol fans, this is exactly the kind of music we have been waiting to hear.

One of my favorite parts of the track is the vocal mixture. Peter Espevoll and Ole Børud bring different textures to the song, and those contrasting voices work extremely well against the constantly moving instrumentation. The musicianship is technical without losing the aggression that made Extol stand out in the first place.

The song also rewards repeated listens. Karl Aksel Skjæringrud, a Christian Metal Group moderator from Norway, told me that while he initially wanted a little more guitar or bass in the mix, the song continued to grow on him. He compared some of its musical direction more closely to Fleshkiller than older Extol and praised Ole Børud’s vocals, while saying he would love to hear Peter Espevoll layered over Ole in places for an even heavier effect.

“It takes some listening,” Karl said, noting that after several plays he began appreciating the track more, especially when hearing it alongside songs from Undeceived.

Lyrically, “The One and the Many” tackles modern tribalism, ideological division and the tension between individual identity and collective thinking. Christer Espevoll has explained that the song reflects a culture where truth can feel increasingly relative while tribal beliefs become stronger. The unsettled subject matter fits the music perfectly, with abrupt transitions and jarring changes reinforcing the tension behind the lyrics.

The return of Christer Espevoll alongside Peter Espevoll, Ole Børud and David Husvik makes this new chapter even more exciting. The band has hinted that Aura of Decay will contain elements reminiscent of the darker atmosphere of Burial, while still carrying forward everything Extol has developed musically over the years.

If “The One and the Many” is the introduction, Aura of Decay has my attention.

My only hope is that this ends up being one of the lighter songs on the album, because if Extol plans to go heavier from here, November cannot get here soon enough.

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, Welcome To The Family Presents delivered a powerful and memorable night of heavy music at Swanson’s Warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina. The event was promoted by Dylan and his company Welcome To The Family, who have been booking shows throughout the Carolinas for more than three years. His consistency and commitment to the heavy music scene were evident in both the lineup and the overall flow of the night, creating an event that felt intentional rather than thrown together.

Welcome To The Family
https://welcometothefamily.net/

The evening was especially meaningful on a personal level, as I attended the show with my 12-year-old son, Max, who had an absolute blast. I also met up with my friend Steve Morse at the concert, founder of Christian Metal Group, which made the night feel like both a show and a reunion. Before the music even started, I had the opportunity to talk with several familiar faces, including members of Cleansing of the Temple and With Blood Comes Cleansing, as well as Trevor Tyson from Heal the Heart and James, formerly of No Treaty. Many of these are people I have previously interviewed on the Christian Metal Group podcast, so finally meeting them in person added another layer of connection to the night.

Christian Metal Group
https://www.christianmetalgroup.com/

Alpha Strain opened the night, marking the first time I had heard the band live. Featuring a three-guitarist lineup, their sound was thick and aggressive, translating well in the room. During their set, the band mentioned that this would be their last show in South Carolina before disbanding. While their performance was straightforward, it served its purpose in warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the night.

Alpha Strain
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ev8lW94aQrJFz7BKk9j0N

Return to Glory stepped things up musically and brought a noticeable shift in momentum. Also featuring three guitarists and made up of members 18 and under, the band delivered an impressive and confident performance that exceeded expectations. What stood out just as much as their musicianship was their humility. The band members were in the pit before and after their set, supporting the other bands, which spoke volumes about their character and understanding of community. The pit itself was relentless all night. A death metal and slam-influenced pit simply hits harder, and the energy never really let up.

Return to Glory
https://www.instagram.com/returntogloryband/

Cleansing of the Temple followed and proved once again why they stand out in the DIY deathcore scene. With two guitarists driving their sound, the band delivered a face-melting set that was as heavy as anything happening in the genre today. Offstage, they are some of the nicest guys you will meet, but once they step on stage, they completely transform. I am genuinely excited to see where their talent and persistence within the DIY environment take them. I had purchased one of their shirts at the last show, and at this show I picked up another one so my son could wear it proudly.

Cleansing of the Temple
https://www.cleansingofthetemple.com/

When With Blood Comes Cleansing took the stage, their experience immediately showed. Anchored by a single guitarist, the band delivered a crushing and precise set that reminded everyone why their name still carries weight. Every transition, breakdown, and movement reflected years of musicianship. I picked up a shirt and their new CD, which is brilliant. Every song on the release focuses on a martyr from the Bible, giving the album both theological weight and artistic focus while remaining unapologetically heavy.

With Blood Comes Cleansing
https://www.withbloodcomescleansing.com/

For most of the night, I found myself standing on the edge of a wild pit, nearly getting slammed a few times. At one point, a guy bumped into me, immediately apologized, and then gave me a hug. Throughout the evening, I witnessed people being helped up and others stopping to make sure everyone was okay. This is the side of the metal community that those outside the scene often do not understand. Beneath the aggression is a culture of respect, kindness, and unity. Seeing people of different ages, hair colors, and skin tones gathered together to enjoy the music they love was a powerful reminder of what brings this community together.

This show was not just heavy. It was human. It was community. And it was exactly why nights like this still matter.