“Serial killers do on a small scale what governments do on a large one,” says a voice in the introduction to the Jedi Mind Tricks’ latest. “They are a product of the times and these are bloodthirsty times…”
Turns out the voice belongs to Richard Ramirez, the convicted serial killer dubbed the “Night Stalker.” The quote, while apt, is troubling when one considers the source. Over broken guitar and eerie atmosphere, Ramirez continues, carrying on about evil and whether or not he’s 100 percent evil.
A controversial start, to say the least, but Philadelphia’s Jedi Mind Tricks have never strayed from crossing the line. Violence Begets Violence is a step in the same direction in many respects, but there’s also some new flavour to consider.
First, Violence Begets Violence is without the presence of producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. In his place are a slew of producers from Nero to C-Lance. This could have been an excuse to move on musically, but nothing the new cats bring really resonates that well. Tracks like “When Crows Descend Upon You” feature the same hefty crush fans are used to.
The combination of Jus Allah and Vinnie Paz is sharp and their exchanges are high-energy in the best of ways. They glide easily over the beats, but there’s something missing in the lyrical department. While they still provoke from time to time, the songs lack punch and seem to be competitions of cruelty rather than stimulating examinations of pressing concerns.
Indeed, the “how brutal can you be” lean in rap has been present since the days of NWA. The message of the streets has always been one of toughness and masculinity, with lyricists attempting to top each other with how violent and offensive their content can be. There is a point when that becomes dull, however, and NWA always had something more to offer beyond the fury. There was also context there, of lives in hell described not with personal braggadocio but with corrosive acceptance.
Article comments
1 - Destro
If you didnt like it then why would you waste your time to review it.
2 - Jordan Richardson
Because that's generally what I try to do when I'm sent review copies...
3 - Andy
Album was a beast your wrong on so many levels
4 - Longtime JMT fan
iv been a huge jedi mind tricks fan from day 1, and i can see what the review means. i dontmind the braggadocioand violent rhymes. i mean i enjoy other kinds of JMT tracks, but this is what theyre known for . The problem is problem is they dont pack the same punch anymore. the beats were good, but lyrically paz is the weakest iv heard him in a while, and even though jus allah improved immensly since history of violence, hes still nothing special on this album. most of the beats were good (design in malice was the best IMO). overall 3/5. better than other shit coming out, nowhere near their older style
5 - Longtime JMT fan
nowhere near as good* as their older style
6 - Pazfan80
Its a spectacular album but it just doesnt have the concept songs that the other albums had. Paz and Jus are both aware of this. They wanted a straight grimey hardcore album and thats what they made. They will no doubt go back to concept songs on later album and im sure paz will alone on god of the serengeti. Im really interested to hear jus spit on a concept song since hes been gone while paz was making razorblade, uncommon valor, etc. my only dissapointment with the album was i wanted more. One verse each on each song made me want to hear more on each track. Either way, dope album. Oh, and willing a destruction onto humanity has the best beat and the best jus allah verse imo.
7 - VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE
GREAT ALBUM, SOME REALLY GOOD TRACKS/PRODUCTION, SOME NOT AS GOOD BUT BETTER THAN MOST CORNY CRAP RAP OUT THERE
8 - mdzona23
I agrede with pazfan80. Paz is the shit. Jmt forever. [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor]