Synergy (Extol album)

Infobox Album
Name = Synergy
Type = Studio
Artist = Extol


Released = August 12, 2003
Recorded = 2003
Genre = Thrash metal
Length = 42:44
Label = Century Media (International)
Solid State Records (USA)
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album = "Paralysis"
{2001)
This album = "Synergy"
{2003)
Next album = "The Blueprint Dives"
{2005)

"Synergy" is the fifth studio album by Norwegian Christian extreme metal band Extol. It was released in 2003 on Century Media, but was licensed to Solid State Records.

This album saw the band shifting more towards a technical deathrash sound. The Norwegian singer-songwriter Maria Solheim performs quest vocals on "Paradigms." The session guitarist Tore Moren plays guitar solo on "Nihilism 2002" and the first solo on "Psychopath". Samuel Durling of the death industrial band Mental Destruction performs distorted vocals on "Emancipation".

The album was recorded at Top Room Studios, produced by Børge Finstad, mixed at Fagerborg Studios and Top Room Studios. Morten Lund mastered the albuma t Masterhuset AS. The album cover was painted by Hugh Syme, who has done work for such groups as Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Rush, Fates Warning etc. The band says that the cover picture "illustrates the synergy effect of elements working together (monk and Death) and thus gaining strength beyond what the effect would be if all the elements would be working separately." [ [http://www.metalglory.de/interviews.php?nr=96 Metal Glory Interview] ]

Stephanie Sollow of "Progressive World" gave the album a very positive review, writing: "Extol are very good at what they do, playing a very tight and intricately arranged form of progressive thrash metal, if you will. They transition easily between different meters, all while creating a heavy wall of sound though which a guitar lead or some dynamic cymbal work will poke through for its lead spot." [ [http://www.progressiveworld.net/extol.html Sollow, Stephanie. Extol - Synergy. Progressive World] ]

Track listing

#"Grace for Succession" - 4:12
#"Paradigms" - 3:40
#"Psychopath" - 3:47
#"Blood Red Cover" - 3:37
#"26 Miles from Marathon" - 4:12
#"Confession of Inadequacy" - 3:47
#"Scrape the Surface" - 3:20
#"Thrash Synergy" - 5:20
#"Aperture" - 3:11
#"Emancipation" - 3:20
#"Nihilism 2002" - 4:09

References