Jedi
Mind Tricks come storming back with the follow up to their inconsistent
'Army of Pharoahs' mixtape with their latest release 'Servants
In Heaven, Kings In Hell'. Stoupe is once again consumed with
his penchant for Latin rhythms and provides his usual razor sharp
production, delivering a well rounded and layered musical surface
for Vinnie & Co to destroy.
Skittering
mellow melodies are plyed with industrially heavy beats, (just
check out the track entitled 'serenity in murder') creating a
sense of urgency yet melancholy reflection. Vinnie Paz is on fire
(again) but this time he (slightly) tones down the violence, removes
homophobic slurs and shows a knack for impeccable story-telling.
There really aren't many rappers out there who name-check Cannibal
Corpse, Dillinger Escape Plan and Bill Hicks. Paz delves deep
into his inner pscyhe to reveal issues close to his heart like
the relationship with his family and this allows the listener
to connect with his personality, thus making his lines and aggression
all the more relevant. He also puts across an extremely pessimistic
viewpoint spitting lines like "my future a box or an urn"
and "each day is another day closer to death". The album
also touches upon a number of issues including the vietnam war,
slave labour and government corruption. The former features an
'on fire' R.A The Rugged Man who delivers immense wordplay and
timing. Other guests include ILL Bill, Sean Price and Chief Kamachi.
The track 'when all light dies' features a nice trip-hop style
vocal chorus contribution from Diamond Girl while the soulful
sample in the closing track 'black winter day', combines nicely
with the violent content. This is an altogether refereshing change
to the (very effective but) standard, sampled and vinyl scratched
choruses.
All
in all, this album is a highly consistent long player featuring
enough quality to move JMT back to the heights they achieved with
their unanimously praised classic, 'Violent By Design'. If you're
a fan of heartfelt, unflinching yet melodic horrorcore, then cop
this right now. If you aren't then you may be suprised by a slightly
more lyrically and stylistically varied album. (AM)
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