EXTORTIONIST is an American Metalcore/Deathcore band formed in Idaho in 2013. In their twelve years of existence, they have been able to produce three studio albums and three EP's before "Stare Into The Seething Wounds". And once again I can state that this is the first album, so indeed the first time I have heard of them or their music. when I started to look at the history of the band what jumped out at me was the endless list of former members that EXTORTIONIST has had. I count fifteen, which in twelve years is quite a lot. I don't think I've even worn out so many underpants in that time…

Musically I can't fault "Stare Into The Seething Wounds", as EXTORTIONIST is doing everything right. They go from fast and furious to slow, deliberate and emotional within seconds, but all within certain boundaries. What that does is give you as the listener a frame within which the band is operating. For the band itself it might be a bit of a constraint, though, as nowhere do they go overboard. It never gets too extremely Heavy or Aggressive, but also neither does it ever reach the tear-stain or depression stage or phase. I believe that for a lot of listeners that will make it a lot easier to listen to what is to be found on "Stare Into The Seething Wounds". The question I have is whether this makes the music better?

Well, it does make it more accessible or approachable, but it also tempers the emotions that should come with the genres of Deathcore and Metalcore. And that takes away the true feelings that I was hoping for when experiencing EXTORTIONIST for the first time. It puts me in a bind, as I do like the sound that the band has adopted, plus the songs are easy to listen to. On the other hand, I feel that EXTORTIONIST has held back on "Stare Into The Seething Wounds", giving me the sensation that there are elements missing that would have lifted the music above average. Therefore, I have to write down that the songs themselves are more than okay, but are missing that key ingredient that makes you want to hear them time and time again; persuasion. If EXTORTIONIST is able to mix that elements into their music and let go of the boundaries, they have set themselves, I feel that they can easily improve on "Stare Into The Seething Wounds".