6 Feet Under – “Next to Die” review

6 Feet Under is a death metal band from Tampa, Florida consisting of bassist Jeff Hughell, drummer Marco Pitruzzella, lead guitarist Ray Suhy, secondary guitarist Jack Owen & finally frontman Chris Barnes. The latter of whom co-founded Cannibal Corpse, dropping some of the greatest material throughout one of metal music’s most extreme subgenres including Tomb of the Mutilated & The Bleeding under Metal Blade Records. Chris would eventually be fired during the Created to Kill sessions & that’s what lead to Haunted dropping. Maximum Violence however has always been my personal favorite, although the Graveyard Classics series of covers & Nightmares of the Decomposed are some of the most unlistenable death metal you could find. Nevertheless: Their 15th studio LP of original material sparked my curiosity.

The intro really opens up by advising not having any fear when it’s time to “Approach Your Grave” over some standard death metal instrumentation whereas “Destroyed Remains” describes a cold dark night where one would spontaneously combust. “Mr. Blood & Guts” keeps the traditional death metal vibes going depicting himself to be an individual who has no soul or pulse while “Mutilated Corpse in the Woods” wasn’t that exciting of a final single honestly.

“Unmistakable Smell of Death” was a much superior death metal single compared it’s successor & one of the better songs 6 Feet Under has done in recent memory expressing the fulfillment he gets out of terror while “Wrath & Terror Take Command” reaches the halfway point describing the streets & palaces being covered in blood. “Skin Coffins” gets the other leg going talking about hearts decaying in our graves while “Mind Hell” details our deceased souls being buried long ago.

Winding down Next to Die’s final moments, “Naked & Dismembered” makes a weird reference to “Hammer Smashed Face” during the chorus despite the fact Chris had a hand in making that one of death metal’s greatest singles period. “Grasped from Beyond” on the other hand discusses a madness overtaking our souls & after the title track explains a darkness waiting forevermore, “Ill Wishes” ends with the quintet offering a glimpse of a life fading forever.

You’re not gonna get anything embarrassingly bad as Nightmares of the Decomposed but even if I do consider Next to Die to be an improvement above 6 Feet Under’s previous full-length Killing for Revenge & even Torment, it’s a subpar meat & potatoes death metal album that’s neither memorable or pushes this style forward because of the songwriting or instrumentally playing it safe. And that’s been a reoccurring theme with Chris Barnes & company for over 2 decades respectfully.

Score: 2/5

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NEMS & Ron Browz – “I Should Boom You” review

New York recording artists NEMS & Ron Browz joining forces for a new collaborative studio LP. One of whom is an underground veteran hailing from Coney Island, Brooklyn emerging in the battle rap circuit back in the early 2000s & the other’s a Harlem native gaining widespread recognition for producing Nas’ iconic JAY-Z diss “Ether”. They’ve crossed paths a couple times already on tracks like “The Bar Exam” & “Count It Out”, so I had no problem with Ron fully producing I Should Boom You. That said: Him rapping on every track did make me somewhat concerned since I’ve never considered myself a fan of Etherlibrium.

We get this gully boom bap instrumental for the intro so they can trade bars about being the “Hottest in America” & reminding the weirdos what the hammers can do whereas “Earl Manigault” featuring Lil’ Fame finds the trio calling for everyone to go home since they’re going harder. “First48” blends some pianos with kicks & snares talking about having guns tucked in their waists while “Kruger” featuring Pharoahe Monch on the remix compares themselves to the iconic Nightmare on Elm Street antagonist.

“Here I Go” featuring Papoose reaches the halfway point sticking to the traditional boom bap sound & having all 3 of them issuing a warning that anyone who targets them will become a statistic but after “P Anthem” shifts it’s focus towards the clubs exemplified by the raunchy approach both artists take with their songwriting, “Nothing Gon’ Stop Me” instrumentally pulls some inspiration from reggae music talking about being unstoppable forces.

Wrapping up I Should Boom You’s final minutes, the 2nd & final single “The Mush” goes for an old school vibe responding to all the doubters who’re mad at both performers for catching Ws & making new money while “Bendicion” talks about catching them on top of a cop car smoking or butt-naked on your girl’s fire escape. “The Bar Exam” sends off the album with a horn-inflicted boom bap outro flexing their lyrical proficiencies & the best verse being saved for last.

Some people like to say that both of NEMS’ full-lengths under Goliath Records are the worst in his discography, but I’d say that’s blasphemy since Rise of the Silverback would go behind Gorilla Monsoon for some of his best material & America’s Sweetheart had it’s moments even if the Fuck Ya Lyfe General himself wasn’t very happy with my criticisms of it. That said: I Should Boom You was more enjoyable than I had anticipated it being although the Gorilla Twins’ eponymous debut is more superior. The production’s more rawer than America’s Sweetheart & some of Ron Browz’ best rapping makes its way on here even if NEMS has the sharper pen.

Score: 4/5

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vax – “Blue Dawn” review

vax is a 17 year old rapper & producer from West Palm Beach, Florida who began making music at the age of 12. He would eventually go on to drop 6 extended plays since 2023 including New Jazz as well as Forgive My Sins & Pyramid Schemes, with Is This You? following Throne being my personal favorite of the bunch. He recently dropped #B4BlueDawn last month preluding his full-length studio debut & it’s been turning tons of heads within the underground recently, getting a couple recommendations from people to give it a shot.

“So Good” brings a rage beat in the picture to get the ball rollin’ talking about most artists who end up in his position wind up foldin’ whereas “M&Ms” describes being better off without his ex since she fucked him over many times. “Hit Me Up” talks about a type of love that’s way too strong & after “Familia” featuring 7k makes a humorous reference to Charlie Kirk’s demise last fall, “Honest” reaches the halfway point taking a moment to be sincere with his partner.

We have “Crushed” sampling “sidekick” by 2hollis to talk about the way he prefers to have ice in his cup & smashing hoes while “Race” featuring slayr saves the best feature for last, speeding up their flows to break down each artists’ individual lifestyles. “Never Die Young” takes a few minutes to talk about dying with no regrets when his time comes & once “Best Friend” explains that nothing can stop the love he has for his soulmate, the final song “It’s Okay, Don’t Trip” ends on a more optimistic note assuring everything will be fine.

A majority of those early EPs vax have given us flashes of his true potential & it’s all beginning to realize itself on Blue Dawn even if he’s taking a backseat production-wise. His whole style amalgamating in digicore along with rage & pop rap has been completely refined other than the occasional electropop being sprinkled in, complimenting his knack for writing hooks by spitting 1 energetically hungry verse after another & selecting 2 of his most prominent affiliates to make the only guest appearances.

Score: 3.5/5

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Rosco P. Coldchain – “Play with Something Safe” review

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania emcee Rosco P. Coldchain enlisting Montréal, Québec, Canada producer Nicholas Craven for his sophomore effort. Blowing up in the 2000s when he signed to Star Trak Entertainment, he would leave the label without releasing anything & dropped a couple mixtapes preceding his full-length debut Almost Famous produced by Fatin Horton formerly of The Soul Council during my freshman year of high school. For the Mature on the contrary divided audiences last February & he’s looking to make up for the mixed reception of that extended play advising to Play with Something Safe.

“Benz Sprinter” comes out the gate with a drumless sample talking about moving coke & being a gangsta whereas “Hold My Hand” soulfully comes to the realizations that he brought these problems onto himself due to his heinous ways of living. “Frankenstein” co-produced by Mike Shabb works in some creepy organ melodies talking about being the lord of the underground leading into “The Future” speeding up his flow to boast his authenticity.

Malcolm Kamal’s appearance on “Magnesium Chloride” was alright even if I enjoyed the boom bap instrumental & Roscoe’s verse talking about having bad habits despite both of them looking after “Prayer Group” begins the 2nd half bringing back the chipmunk soul vibes so he can confess that his family is all he has left, “Die Slow” featuring Bruiser Wolf hooks up some tense sampling techniques talking about being the newest members on the rise to be respected by bosses.

The title track featuring Ab-Liva & Jimmie D finds the trio uniting over a drumless loop to explain that nether one of them have time for any bullshit while the funky “Boogie Nights” talks about how right it’s gonna feel when he puts the crown on after being away for over a decade. “Refined” featuring Malcolm Kamal wraps things up finding peace from these mean streets whenever they’re with their lovers.

Nicholas Craven himself has said that Play with Something Safe is the closest thing he’s ever done to making a horrorcore album & not only would I have to agree with that, but it wipes For the Mature & dethroned Almost Famous to further validate why Rosco P. Coldchain has been one of the most underrated MCs in the game. The sample-heavy production style Craven has become known for is a lot better than the previously mentioned EP, bringing an improved guest list compared to his debut on board for some entertainingly dark street lyricism.

Score: 4/5

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Giffy Pluggo – “The Get Back Pack” review

Another extended play albeit the 5th overall from Chicago, Illinois emcee & ATIP Records founder Giffy Pluggo. Emerging a few years ago off his debut mixtape Paid Leave & its sequel, he would later put out an expanded version of his debut album Los Pluggos followed by Pluggo’s Birthday & Douda respectively. The latter mostly produced by Myles Grayson & becoming the most beloved entry in his discography thus far, coming off both Luxury Manifesto & The Layoff: No Hooks to drop off a Get Back Pack.

“How It Feels” begins with an intro reminiscent to JAY-Z’s early output from the late 90s to the early 2000s whereas the title track produced by Myles Grayson could be favorite one here from the jazzy boom bap instrumental to vengeful hunger in Giffy’s performances. “What You See” soulfully kicks off the 2nd half blending jazz & rap talking about others seeing the fame on him while “Sacrifice” sends off the EP aims to create a balance between being educated & rapping.

Wasn’t anticipating Giffy Pluggo to hit us with another EP so soon since he already announced Paid Leave 3 was on the way during The Layoff’s outro, but I suppose it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise since The Get Back comes right after & it’s goal of expanding on him being laid off from his regular occupation accompanied by a set of variety of beats exploring the sounds of boom bap, jazz rap & trap singlehandedly rather than having any guest appearances.

Score: 3.5/5

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Gloom Unit – “House of Gloom” review

West coast horrorcore duo the Gloom Unit consisting of Acetone Boogie & Frankie Goldie finally making their full-length debut. One of whom comes straight out of Tucson, Arizona & the other representing Sin City Las Vegas, Nevada respectively as part of the Swamp Society collective. They would properly introduce themselves as a pairing on New Year’s Day 2024 with the debut extended play Come Heavy produced by Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Devereaux, who would also produce the sequel Mo Heavy. A little over a year later, they’re taking us inside the House of Gloom almost a week after J-Rod ended Alice Crowley’s record-breaking 2nd reign as JCW Women’s Champion.

After the intro, the title track produced by none other than Devereaux brings an organ-laced trap beat into the picture advising to say your prayers because of the demonic shit they’re about to do whereas “Murda Gloves” goes for a morbidly slower vibe to the beat discussing the topic of murder itself. “Gloomhauer” works in some strings to talk about giving 0 fucks regarding the repercussions of them constantly killing it while “DaEyes” acknowledges their imperfections although they’re very much trying.

“RedDedRedemption” continues from there talking about watching bodies burning in The Wraith’s exhibition of Hell’s Pit leading into “No Shoulders” incorporates some sampling techniques flexing that they’ll still be carrying firearms on them when winding up in Shangri-La in the end. “Stomp ‘Em Out” featuring Darby O’Trill joins forces for an angrily cutthroat hardcore hip hop banger while “All Dead” talks about not being the type who enjoy cheap thrills.

Ending the 1st half, “Bouncing Off da Concrete” hooks up some predominant horns during the hook boasting the credentials they’ve already had out in the streets & this being normal to them while “Daishin Folklore” gives a backstory behind the Unit’s mascot who can be seen on the artwork of all their projects. “Less Than Gold” talks about earning everything they have & none of it being handed out for free while “Headbussas” featuring Donnie Menace succeeding at going full trap metal.

“Zim Dem” featuring PERCYBONES finds the trio asking everyone who doubted them how they like them now & fighting for survival since Day 1 while “Taking Out the Trash at Night” talks about coming alive right when the sun goes down. “Disclaimer” featuring 8corpses links up to provide advice that you shouldn’t ever take & something they feel like everyone should know while “Selena” featuring Sagan Ummo brings out a fully loaded chopper over a trap instrumental with bells.

The sample right from the start of “Don’t Close Ya Eyes” immediately drew me in talking about not falling asleep for the purpose of demons who tend to watch us in the late night hours & view our souls as food prior to the outro, “Isolation” spends the last 3 & a half minutes sitting in the House of Gloom all alone admitting that they’ve been following darkness their whole entire lives as well as coming to terms that neither of them feel like anyone’s out there.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if our minds turned against us & the walls of what was initially designed to protect us isolates each other from the outside world, the House of Gloom will give the answer one seeks right when the doors lock shut to commence an evil dream hosted by demons constructed by our fears & whatever emotion it is we try to hide over some of Devereaux’s darkest production accompanied by a few of the underground wicked shit scene’s finest presently.

Score: 4.5/5

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Bake Lo – “Spirals” review

Bake Lo is a 32 year old rapper/producer from Detroit, Michigan who made his solo debut Only the Beginning in the fall of 2011 when I was a freshman in high school. He would go on to follow it up with the sophomore effort Misunderstood Mindstate, but it wasn’t until Anybody Killa signed him to Native World Inc. & dropped A Step in the Wrong Direction under the label where I personally started catching onto him. Monster would be released independently as was the Chuck extended play, which was the last time we’ve heard him. Coming off the 9th annual Astronomicon however, he’s returning for his 5th studio LP in preparation for him touring with ABK.

After the “Into the Spiral” intro, the opener “Spiral Down” expresses confidence that we’ll all begin life again someday leading into Str8jaket joining him in letting the “Words of Violence” fade & going for a boom bap vibe instrumentally. “Jewel Thief” angrily fires back at the people who take him for a fool leading into “Golden Eye” featuring MVNDI & Skwynts finds the trio hopping over an apocalyptic trap beat cautioning not to wake the beast inside of them.

“Criminal” featuring Donnie Menace joins forces so both of them can talk about living like mobsters robbing people for cleats while “Dirt on My Face” featuring Insane E fiercely emerges out of the flames of Hell in an attempt to escape the cells both of them have been locked in. “Spek” featuring Lyte reaches the halfway point talking about carrying Glocks around their respective parts of Michigan while “Just Incase” dismisses any & all precautions.

Things take more introspective approach on “Note to Self” asking himself who he is if he isn’t becoming the person he wants to be while “Confrmula” featuring Ant G, Histio & the King of HorribleCore talks about no longer waiting since now’s the time to claim what’s theirs. “Benjamin” experiments with country rap a bit admitting the devil wants his soul & after “Bite Outta You” industrially depicts himself as a bloodthirsty creature, “Uzumaki” featuring Zitro finishes things up addressing those who don’t like them.

Spirals showcases Bake Lo’s signature lyrical depths as well as his raw storytelling & authentic voice delivering a fresh yet grounded perspective inspired by the 8 years of growth since the Monster for longtime fans & new listeners alike. Committed to quality & genuine expression, Bake Lo invites the underground & the world at large to experience the evolution of his artistry redefining his sound with a list of underground wicked shit titans joining him on the mic.

Score: 4/5

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Twiztid – “Herb n Legends” review

Detroit, Michigan’s demented duo & Astronomicon founders Twiztid hitting us with their 18th extended play. Consisting of Jamie Madrox & Monoxide, both of whom originally started out as part of the House of Krazees alongside childhood friend The R.O.C. in 1992 before their initial disbandment 5 years later. Almost immediately after, the Insane Clown Posse took Jamie & Mono under their wings by signing them to Psychopathic Records as who they’re known as today. They would become the label’s 2nd biggest act being their mentors off projects like Mostasteless, Freek Show, Mirror Mirror, The Green Book, W.I.C.K.E.D. (Wish I Could Kill Every Day) & Abominationz. Shortly after the latter was released, Twiztid left Psychopathic to form Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2014. Since then they’ve released 8 albums & 9 EPs on their own label, my favorites of which being /ˌrevəˈlāSH⁽ᵊ⁾n/ & even their last full-length Glyph. Their last full-length Welcome to Your Funeral produced by Rob Zombie’s engineer Zeuss was a superior Unlikely Prescription sequel & are unearthing the Herb n Legends.

After the intro, the opener “So Numb” sets things off talking about a feeling a fire burning inside of them whereas “My God” by Triple Threat describes a way they’ve never felt before. “Noid” featuring James Garcia or the artist formerly known as Young Wicked throws it back to the latter’s Axe Murder Boyz roots & “D.I.D.” ends the EP having both Triple Threat & Otis linking up to talk about smoking to escape the problems they face in the daily lives.

Conceptually inspired by a man disappearing in the forest of West Branch while getting away from friends only to be found 73 hours later carrying a 20 minute recording explaining where he had been & what had happened to him, Herb n Legends returns to Twiztid’s hip hop roots rather than continuing to expanding the rap/nu metal sounds of their previous full-length with a conceptual EP themed around their love of smoking kush with a horrorcore twizt.

Score: 4/5

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Nasaan – “Method Acting” review

This is the debut mixtape from Detroit, Michigan rapper, singer/songwriter & producer Nasaan. The son of the late D12 de facto leader & in my opinion the greatest Detroit emcee of all-time Proof, some of you may remember him for releasing the Def Jam-backed debut EP Kiss of Karma in July of 2019, which was followed up with the Error 404 extended play under Atlantic Records. Now that he’s no longer signed to a major label, he’s beginning a new chapter of his career with Method Acting.

“To My Name” made for a slick opener talking about having no reason to complain since he has $100K in his bank account whereas “All for Me” featuring Bruiser Wolf comes through with an ode for their homies who had bitches trying to play them before they were the real deal. “Calling Me” goes for a smoother vibe in general for a charming pop rap ballad leading into him admitting to not knowing how to solve his “Family Issues”.

We have Nasaan throwing it back to 80s with “Need That” playfully asking for his lover to save him to begin the 2nd half while “Man Again” soulfully talks about willing to go to war with stars. “This Close” might be my least favorite track here because of it’s distractingly heavy Drake influence but after the spacious “Sexy” admires the beauty of his significant other, “Stay Blessed” luxuriously ends the EP carrying his grandmother’s advice forward.

Celebrating what would’ve been his late girlfriend Mycah Lewis’ birthday, Nasaan spends a great deal of Method Acting getting more melodically sensual than a lot of his earlier output & finishes what she helped him start from selecting the beats to being his biggest judge critiquing the final product. It was a surprise to hear it was supposed to come out earlier within the month but nevertheless, I know Mycah’s looking down on him with his dad proud of the artist & person he’s become.

Score: 3.5/5

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Benny the Butcher & Fuego Base – “Ashes in the $afe” review

New collaborative EP from Buffalo, New York emcee Benny the Butcher alongside Hartford, Connecticut emcee Fuego Base. One of whom co-founded Black Soprano Family Records with City Boy & the other blew up a few years ago after signing to the label. So I had no problem with them taking their chemistry to the next level with Ashes in the $afe almost a week since former WWE Women’s Champion Stephanie McMahon, former IWA World Champion, 2-time IWGPヘビー級チャンピオン, 3-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, 4-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, PWG World Champion, RPW British Heavyweight Champion, the inaugural ROH Pure Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion, 2-time TNA World Champion, the inaugural 6-time TNA X Division Champion, 2-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, 2-time WWE Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, 3-time WWE United States Champion & 2-time WWE tag team champion AJ Styles, former 3-time WWE Tag Team Champions Demolition, former 5-time NBA Champion Dennis Rodman, former CWA Heavyweight Champion, 4-time WWE world champion & WWE United States Champion Sid Eudy and Bad News Brown were all inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

After the titular intro, “Sundial” kicks things off with a sumptuous boom bap opener talking about both of them being made for the stardom whereas “Pyrex & Prayers” lets Fuego Base hold it down by himself so he can put his life savings on the stove hoping everything goes right. Benny returns on “Like It Is” so they can move the weight & tell things the way they see it while “Rev X” featuring Sule finds the trio bringing it hardcore without a hook.

“The Fighting Irish” gets the 2nd half of the EP going by talking about both of them feeling rather lucky prior to O.T. the Real & Rick Hyde appearing for “Warehouse 4”, which is a continuation of the series that began on Biggest Since Camby a few years ago. “Big Shirley” mixes some triumphant strings with kicks & snares for the last Fuego Base solo track talking about how well he goes with the game & “Castellammarese War” featuring O.T. the Real ends with them still predicting show like groundhogs who don’t see their shadows.

Tell My Momma I’m Still a Rapper was a good way for Fuego Base to start off 2026 & most people wound up preferring Benny the Butcher’s most recent tape Summertime Butch 2 over it’s predecessor including myself, but I’d put Ashes in the $afe over the eponymous Harlem Heat extended play Fuego did with Elcamino last summer. The chemistry’s stronger & the Butcher proves now’s the time for the Biggest Since Camby lets the world know his true artistic potential.

Score: 3.5/5

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