Army of the Pharoahs – The Torture Papers

    The Army of the Pharoahs has developed a
    pretty good reputation in the underground scene considering that they’ve only
    ever released one single. It helps that they’ve got a big crew and boast some
    pretty recognizable names in Apathy, Celph-Titled, Jedi Mind Tricks
    and 7L & Esoteric. Either way, The Torture Papers
    comes with the ol’ “highly anticipated” label attached to it.

    The 13 song album is pretty much just what you’d expect, or at least what I
    expected. The beats are epic and sweeping, shit that could score a roman
    gladiator battle mixed with dudes who obviously grew up listening to DJ
    Premier
    and Large Professor. This is well exemplified
    in the massive 9 man “Battle Cry” over panic-stricken strings or the ridiculously
    hard hitting title track. Also meeting expectation; Demigodz Apathy and
    Celph-Titled
    steal the show at every turn; Esoteric
    sounds really dope ’til you realize his flow is basically the same every 16
    minus a slight disguise; Vinnie Paz spits gravel but still
    can’t rhyme for shit (“I’m slightly disturbed/Pazienza is nice with the
    words/that’s the reason that I’m fly like the life of a bird”
    ); Outerspace,
    Reef
    and Chief Kamachi continue to improve and King
    Syze, Des Devious
    and Faez One struggle to make an
    identity in the massive clik.

    Backed by a troop of largely unknown producers (Shuko,
    DC The Midi
    Alien, Undefined, The White Shadow, Loptimist, Rain, Oaks
    ), the Army
    does little more than their trademark over-the-top battle raps. The raps may be
    rather one dimensional, but you know what you’re getting and at least they do
    it really well, so it’s all good. Among those of particular dopeness is the White
    Shadow
    produced “Narrow Grave,” which sports a ridiculously ill beat. “Henry the 8th
    keeps the head nodding and the moody “Pull the Pins Out” is just bodied by Celph
    and Eso. “Tear It Down,” in all its Primoesque
    glory, is stolen by Reef The Lost Cause. As is the touching “Into The Arms of Angels”
    by Vinnie Paz, who delivers maybe the verse of
    his career.

    The Torture Papers didn’t re-write the book on Hip Hop by any means,
    but it is a rock solid album that should get repeat spins for most of the year.
    For the sense of name recognition the album is billed as a Jedi Mind
    Tricks Presents
    project, which is odd considering uber-producer Stoupe
    is nowhere to be found (Paz is all over it though). Despite
    his absence, Stoupe influence is buried deep in the album as
    multiple beats could easily pass as his. I still can’t believe he didn’t
    produce “Narrow
    Grave
    .” Even without him, AOTP bring a plague of
    fire.

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