Now with over a decade of notoriety, Extortionist has released their fourth full length album via Unique Leader Records. Devoid of Love & Light comes exactly a year after their anniversary EP was released last year, proving that if anything, they are certainly not void of musical inspiration.
Over and over again throughout the record, Extortionist proves to listeners that they are capable of incorporating contrasting elements, balancing Ben Hoaglands harsh vocals with melodic choruses. Not to say that they have anything to prove, but those hardcore bands that aren’t afraid to play with clean vocals are paving the way to alleviate preconceived boundaries associated with the genre.
Utilizing bold, roaring guitars overtop steamrolling percussion and a now-infamous dodgeball-smack snare, this group continuously asserts themselves as a powerhouse collective, one that is not to be trifled with.
Prior to the official album release on May 17, the band had released the concluding track ‘When It All Goes Dark’ as a single. The band spoke about the inspiration behind the track, which also provides insight into the creative direction behind the accompanying music video.
“The track is a middle finger pointed towards crooked practices, cliques, and individuals within the music industry and a metaphorical presentation of enduring & navigating a “hive-mind” mentality.”
The band has never been shy to address taboo topics within their lyrics, providing a safe narrative to those who struggle with substance abuse, depression, or see themselves fitting somewhere outside the confines of societal norms. Devoid of Love & Light is yet another album that helps give a voice to those of us who feel oppressed or utterly misunderstood.
The full album can be streamed on Spotify.
Photos provided by Extortionist
