[grey-area]

Yes I think I was thinking more a paean or apology though not sure apology is used in that sense much nowadays - perhaps apologia is clearer. In praise of would be better, thanks will edit just now.

[antithesizer]

The Greek transliteration "apologia" is often used for that sense of "apology" to skirt any ambiguity.

[selimthegrim]

Encomium