NECRO „Death Rap”

Music: Hip Hop/Death Metal
Website: http://www.necrohiphop.com
Country: U.S.A.


Cool songs: Creepy Crawl, No Remorse, Belligerent Gangsters, Keep on Driving, Keeping It Real, Evil Rules

Ron Braunstein, or just NECRO is an enfant terrible of the hip hop environment, especially for his exceptionally explicit lyrics. Some time ago, he invented the term ‘death rap’ to describe his style of his extremely violent hip hop and mainly to set himself apart from other genre labels created by the media. In 2006 he started working on material combining two extreme genres: hip hop and metal.

Probably no one has ever tried to create such a hybrid of violent hip hop and extreme metal riffs, supported by growling. NECRO created a fantastic album, showing that there is some ground, a kind of basis, on which those two genres can coexist, do not jump to each other’s throat and simply support themselves. First of all, the material is almost totally of hip hop origin, only a few tracks are embellished with metal. But the huge amount of musicians connected with heavy melody work on different tracks. Just to mention fantastic ‘Suffocated to Death by God’s Shadow’ – this material simply rocks the socks off. This rap brings to mind the fantastic years of old-school American performance, not dominated by cheap, shining with gold homies, often having nothing to do with rap. In this sound, there is genuine aggression and solid regret of all the stupidity and nonsense, surrounding us. The lyrics are very critical, ironic and violent, sometimes having political or social connotations, supporting this album with some kind of a message. Also, the texts have a biographical basis, as NECRO sometimes makes notes about himself. Heavy and harsh riffs, which are essential for metalheads, smoothly support NECRO’s fantastic performance. The essence of this craft is enclosed in ‘Evil Rules’, where rap samples and recitation are supported by heavy riffs and fast fingerings. This sounds pretty cool.

Finally those two teams work together, as one. Hip hop’s gangsta style gained more brutal character, mainly thanks to the guitars. The album is not only a musical event, but also a universal piece of art, which should be spread worldwide, so that everyone could listen to it – and I tell you – you will not regret a dime spent on it. Hip hop fans – you will definitely love it. Metal freaks – you will appreciate rap craft.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. Creepy Crawl
2. No Remorse
3. Some Get Back (Revenge)
4. Belligerent Gangsters feat. Harley Flanagan of The Cro-Mags
5. Suffocated to Death By God’s Shadow feat. Brian Fair of Shadows Fall, Mark Morton of Lamb of God, Mike Smith of Suffocation, & Steve DiGiorgio of Death/Sadus
6. Mutilate the Beat
7. Keep on Driving
8. Technician of Execution
9. Keeping It Real feat Adam Jackson of Twelve Tribes
10. Exploitation feat. Mr. Hyde
11. As Deadly As Can Be feat. ILL Bill
12. Evil Rules feat. Scott Ian of Anthrax, Dave Ellefson formerly of Megadeth & Ray Alder of Fates Warning
13. Forensic Pathology
14. Portrait of a Death Rapper

Total playing time 37:19

Line-up

Necro – vocals, arranging, composing, writing, production, recording, mixing
Harley Flangan – guest vocals
Brian Fair – guest vocals
Mark Morton – guest guitar
Mike Smith – guest drums
Steve DiGiorgio – guest bass
Adam Jackson – guest vocals
Mr. Hyde – guest vocals
III Bill – guest vocals
Scott Ian – guest guitar
Dave Ellefson – guest bass
Ray Alder – guest vocals