Extortionist - The Decline

SOLD OUT

This past year and a half with Wax Vessel has been a roller coaster. It’s it been fun and stressful and frustrating and rewarding. It’s been a blast to share these old bands and new records with all of you! In that vein, I’m so happy to announce that the 30th release will be none other than Extortionist!

If you’re familiar with WV, you’ll know that Ben Hoagland is the backbone of this platform. His art has defined the WV aesthetic, and he’s the most reliable, incredible artist I’ve ever worked with. You’ll notice that I actually don’t put the teeth logo on WV releases that don’t have art done by Ben. That there’s a special designation “S” for releases spotlighting art done NOT by Ben. My respect for him as an artist and friend is only partially eclipsed by my respect by him as a musician.

It you only know Ben from WV, he’s actually the front man for a fantastic, genre-defining kind of beatdown/downtune/numetalcore number called Extortionist. It’s been a dream of mine to be able to release Ben’s music on this platform that he’s had such a huge hand in defining.

For WV030JMI I proudly present “The Decline” - the debut full length from EXTORTIONIST.

You know I use “MySpace” as a genre, and I think in 10 years time, people will do the same with Facebook. 2010-2015 was an absolutely wild time for the a lot of bands that kind of took it the other way from the MySpace stuff . Djent/metalcore/beatdown all these kind of bands started popping up around the time, and Extortionist was the standout with Black Sheep. They defined the sound, and when The Decline dropped it was the most polished version of that genre I’d heard.

This album is one the of the most shining examples of mid-2010s downtempo that I can think of. It’s bouncy, pissed off, dynamic and so much fun. It’s such an honor to work with these guys to bring this incredible album together! This is THE sound of the evolution of deathcore through the Facebook age.

I think Ben’s art and style has defined a scene, and his music has as well. I’m pumped to exalt both on this one time limited vinyl pressing to celebrate the new year, Ben, and Extortionist.

Hilariously, the art is been Ben-ified by Ben Hoagland himself. Audio has been remastered for vinyl as well! You’re really going to love it!

50 Malediction (Wax Vessel Signature)

50 Hoagburst (Wax Vessel Signature)

50 Gloom Lurker (Wax Vessel Signature)

50 Imbalance double splatter

100 Regression

All of this housed in:

1.5x thickness Matte single pocket jackets

Double sided matte full color insert

Black polylined innersleeves

Gold foil numbering

Stuffed into polybags

Everything about this release makes me so happy. It’s 187 records, it’s LONG, the audio and art are fantastic, and one again is a rare scene collectible that’s getting its first vinyl pressing. It’s the perfect WV release, and I hope you all love it as much as I do!

I can’t wait to celebrate 2021 with all of you with this release. It’ll be the last preorder for awhile, so grab one while you can! Orders will go up January 1st at 1:00pm CST! And yes, this is a single LP in a big ‘ol gatefold to house even more of that Ben Hoagland art!