Alla Xul Elu – “WHellcome Home” review

Portsmouth, Ohio horrorcore trio & Long Live Evil founders Alla Xul Elu’s celebrating Halloween with their 8th studio LP. Consisting of Billy Obey as well as Joey Black & Lee Carver, they broke out a decade ago as a duo by releasing their first 2 albums Head of Horns & Sci-Co that same year. This was followed up with their 4/20-themed debut EP Necronomichron in 2017 & adding Carver into the fold shortly after, but it wasn’t until Twiztid signed them to Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2018 when the Xul Boys’ music got increasingly better. Their MNE debut The Almighty is unquestionably the greatest horrorcore album of the 2010s, their 2019 EP Church of Xul took a much darker approach, Mauxuleum made it in the top 10 of my Best Releases of 2020 list despite them ditching their signature boom bap sound for a more industrial, trap metal direction & Necronomichron 2: Dead by Bong was a superior sequel to their 4/20 EP. The Magic Xul Bus preluded their final MNE offering Gods of Evil Rise produced by Mike E. Clark, opening for Psychopathic Records & Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) founders the Insane Clown Posse last Hallowicked. Coming off No Masters & Universal Perverts however, WHellcome Home is here 2 months after its initial announcement on the eve of Nic Nemeth becoming the new JCW World Juggalo Heavyweight Champion.

Following the “Introvert” intro, “Ancient Evil” comes out the gate with a hellish boom bap opener talking about the LLE never expiring whereas “All is Dead” makes themselves at home in a place where there’s absolutely no peace whatsoever. “F.Y.I.T.A.X.E. (Fuck You It’s The Alla Xul Elu)” named after a signature catchphrase of theirs expresses their love for the wicked shit keeping it dusty leading into “Doombaptism” talks about the style of music they play called “doom bap”, similarly to Necro inventing “death rap”.

“Dark Daze” moves on from there sharpening the knives they write with every single evening just before “AKA the Grave” keeps the doom bap vibes rollin’ talking about putting people 6 feet below the ground. “Dances with Worms” featuring the newest member of the Long Live Evil family Malakeye finds all 4 of them reminding us death’s everywhere while “Corpsegarden” begins the 2nd half waking up the deceased arising from parts unknown.

As for “Faith”, we have Xul reiterating the trust they continue to put putting in the Church of Xul until the danceable “AXE Slaps Hacks Backs” talking about chopping people up with an axe. Things return to the doom bap for the group to let out all of their “Invasive Thoughts” & explaining how fucked their brains are in process while “Freezer Burnt” talks about someone being left in the cold so long that they wound up getting frozen, unable to adjust the temperature.

The title track appropriately winds down the last act of WHellcome Home asking if anyone will go after them straight down to Hell’s Pit while “SINsation SELLebration” immediately talks about throwing the hottest party Hell’s ever had, spitting the wicked shit over an EDM instrumental. “Future is Fire” featuring Jahred Gomes takes it back to their signature doom bap style informing those who want to return home of the harsh reality that it won’t happen & “Homebody” finishes the full-length militantly talks about confronting their demons for their own happiness.

These guys have been on an absolute ROLL this year whether it was the clarification of Alla Xul Elu having No Masters & of course the raunchy Universal Perverts EP we got 4 weeks earlier, WHellcome Home comfortably places itself at the hierarchy of everything they’ve done in 2026 & hearing Billy announcing through social media of them having so much more material coming down the pipeline rivals the output of Chapter 17 Records CEO Ouija Macc in keeping the scene alive for generations to come.

Score: 4.5/5

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Madopelli – “Wicked Season” review

California City horrorcore duo Madopelli consisting of M.A.D & Ant Dog dropping off their 3rd extended play. Dropping a couple of mixtapes & EPs ever since forming a decade ago, their sophomore effort albeit Lyrikal Snuff Productionz debut No Bluffin’ proved itself to be Madopelli’s most refined work to date both lyrically & sonically to the point where they were instantly accepted within the Gorehop realm. The follow-up Stories from the Sanctum later resulted in both members making their LSP debut as solo artists with Sadistic Symphony & M.A.D (Me Against Death), coming off Suffer Not Dishonor & The Unkindness to celebrate Wicked Season.

After the intro, “Autumn Fallz” produced by M.A.D opens up having the pair drearily talking about them painting the walls with blood & mentally being gone while “Witching Hour” admits they can’t sleep at night because they feel like their souls are decaying over a symphonic trap instrumental. “Dark Arts” kicks off the 2nd half talking about murder & the title track preceding the outro concludes the EP shifting towards a trap sound again explaining there’s no time to sleep since Halloween’s here.

The Unkindness certainly rubbed people the wrong way last month largely because of its artwork when their observations of the world becoming increasingly crueler were 100% valid & one calling it one of the worst albums they’ve ever heard, which I understand because people like to shit on horrorcore in general. Either way: I like that Wicked Season was recorded throughout the entire month of October spitting the wicked shit over a collection of horror-related samples.

Score: 4/5

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The Inner Realmz – “Beat Maker Ethics” review

California production team The Inner Realmz back for their 7th beat tape. Founded by Masta Cypher Devine & Goomson, they’ve been making waves in the west coast underground scene since the beginning of the current decade off their first 2 beat tapes SP 1000 and Build & Destroy followed by Low End Wizards as well as it’s sequel & Digital Chains. Goomson so happened to team up with Broke for a collaborative beat tape Heavy Wreck displaying Broke’s talents behind the boards for Side A & of course Goomson on Side B except for Masta Cypher Devine doing the closer. Omnipotent masterfully selected & arranged jazz samples catching my attention, coming off Mass Collide to reform & teach the world Beat Maker Ethics.

“Space & Time” spends the opening minutes drawing inspiration from 90s east coast boom bap/jazz rap reminiscent of a top 5 producer of mine Pete Rock whereas “The Math” works in an occasional vocal sample from the late Prodigy popping in & out keeping it raw. “No Destination” moves on from there fusing the traditional boom bap sound wiry elements of lounge music but once “Past Lives” swaps out the latter in favor of lo-fi hip hop, “Over & Over” ends the 1st half with another dusty 90s east coast throwback.

Kicking off the 2nd half, “Born Physical” retains the boom bap vibes with horns & a vocal sample right until letting the drums ride out while “Like This” brings somewhat of a psychedelic flare to the table whilst holding a tight grip on the ruggedness. “Nitro Fresh” kinda has an irresistible grooviness that I can’t get enough of & after “Bus Hoppin in ‘97” throws it back to the days of riding 1 bus after another 3 decades ago, “Afraid to Represent” concludes the tape with the crew’s de facto leader treading the boom bap/jazz rap waters 1 last time.

It’s cool to hear Goomson, Jon Deliz, Mike B & Ripe143 recruiting more up-&-coming producers to join The Inner Realmz because Beat Maker Ethics celebrates this new era in their career testifying the power of community & creativity by having newcomers Dexplorist, Roving Jewel, Cash Gordon, Starks, Carlskee & Gizmo help the create a rawly authentic & unique presentation of their perspectives & styles bound together by a shared passion for underground hip hop.

Score: 4/5

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Slimesito – “Evilslime 2” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper Slimesito dropping off his 19th extended play on Devil’s Night. Notable for being a member of the quintet Jurassic Park, he would also drop 5 LPs as well as 18 EPs & a mixtape of his own. Highlights in his discography include his 4th EP Scarface Sito, his 9th EP Rich Slime, his full-length debut Vida Brazy, 11th EP Life of a Slime, the Dedication duology hosted by DJ Phat & the Evilgiane-produced Evilslime. However, he’s running it back with Giane for Evilslime 2.

“Georgia State” opens up representing the university Sito’s bitch attends over a cloudy instrumental with some 808s whereas “Lik Rocky” talks about having nothing in common with the rest of these sloppy muhfuckas. “Pop His Top” kinda has an upbeat groove to it painting imagery of the gangsta lifestyle for only 91 seconds & after “Last Forever” talks about rising with his bro until the end, “Incognito” makes it known he’s been around the block ever since he was kid.

To wrap up the EP’s final leg, “Been Shinin’” talks about his diamonds being so timeless to the point where they leave people blinded while “Bal Main” works in some synthesizers flexing that he only comes in 1st place & hallucinating as a result of the new medication he’s been taking. “MF DOOM” pays homage to one of the greatest lyricists of all-time in addition to following his aunt’s advise or staying authentic to himself & “West 2 East” talks about staying on the same time much like the late Kobe Bryant.

Bity of God along with GTA9 & Plugg n Slime were all average to me, so hearing that Slimesito reunited with Evilgiane to make a sequel to his most beloved EP gave me the feeling we were in for some of his greatest material in the past couple years & the final results of Evilslime 2 pretty much confirms those expectations being met. The trap, sample drill, plugg & dark plugg production’s more consistent & Sito keeps it short but sweet with his performances.

Score: 4/5

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Dominic Fike – “How to Quit Smoking” review

This is the 3rd studio LP from Naples, Florida musician, singer/songwriter & rapper Dominic Fike. Signing to Columbia Records in 2018 off his debut EP Don’t Forget About Me & later What Could Possibly Go Wrong? during the COVID-19 pandemic, he would later join the cast of the Skydance Corporation division Warner Bros.-owned HBO series Euphoria during it’s 2nd season & the sophomore effort Sunburn wound up being more well received than it’s predecessor. 14 Minutes preluded his debut mixtape Rocket to mixed feedback & looks to teach the world How to Quit Smoking.

“Wallflower” was a decent indie pop opener singing about the type of person who’s shy yet introverted whereas “Small Town” works in some bedroom pop influences so he can reminisce over a woman he once knew, hoping to rekindle their relationship even though she’s not who she once was. “Pangea” combines bedroom pop, neo-soul & pop rap to discuss a relationship that has some serious potential while “Casting Call” sings about feeling like he’s up against robots due to the rise of AI.

reggie joins Dominic for “Doomsday” to directly addressing the theme of them going cold turkey on smoking & letting their partners know they love them more than they did the day prior leading into “Honeylove” featuring Grace Ives singing about wanting to consume each other’s DNA. “White Keys” blends alt-pop & bedroom pop for an observation of the space around them changing negatively affecting his relationship just before “Squeeze” sings about wanting to feel his lover’s touch.

“Reno” featuring Hether continues the 2nd half of the album throwing it all the way back to the What Could Possibly Go Wrong? era stylistically while “Lily Was a Cavalier” sings about the titular character fucking him much better than any of his exes have. “Cabby” featuring Emma Ogier finds the pair admitting they’re at their worst when they forget the humanity of their love while “City of Steel” featuring Jorjiana originating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania talks about heartbreak.

Danny Brown’s appearance during “Not the Spirit” ranks amongst my personal favorites contemplating whether or not they’d break even if they had a dime for every time they went broke while “War Machine” sings about his regrets ranging from drug abuse to infidelity, including an interpolation of “Got Ya Money” by the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard when the hook comes around. “Spotlight / Innerchild” finishes How to Quit Smoking in the form of a 2-parter promising to do his best despite not knowing what’s next.

Originally announced a couple months ago right when the Comedy Tragedy Parody Tour was getting ready to commence, Dominic Fike finally drops How to Quit Smoking following 2 or 3 weeks of delays putting himself in a position where he had no other choice but to step his game up regardless of me still having Rocket as his finest statement yet. Primarily because the indie pop, pop rap, indie rock & bedroom pop production can feel repetitive after a bit although appreciate the themes of growing up are undeniably sincere.

Score: 3/5

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bleood – “Kill Your Idols” review

Floridian recording artist bleood at last putting out his full-length studio debut after several delays. Someone who’s debut extended play Seal of Memories came out in the fall of 2023 followed by a handful of a-side/b-side singles preceding the Rascal 51 as well as Pain & How Bleood Stole Xmas EPs respectively. Case in point: You Don’t Need Your Skin or the divisively received IDK I Can’t Say. Coming off the Kill of B Killd & Protagonist EPs however, Kill Your Idols looks to surpass Haunted Hills along with everything else he’s done.

“aw02 angel cry” sets the tone of what’s to come chaotically talking about how he can’t go anywhere because he’s been up whereas “bite yoh neck” asks this woman who he can’t save whether or not she’d still love him if he passed. “flying dutchman” boasts his increasing popularity talking about having 2 hoes around him until “Lead Never Follow” featuring Pz’ flexing they were so stoned to the point where Medusa was their bitch.

The way “Onwards, Entrance Exams!” by あずまんが大王 gets sampled during “she loves me i hate her” was pretty neat, talking about bleood’s lifestyle along with guns & drugs just before “stupid b#@_h ruined my mood” airs out a chick who’s been getting under his skin. “i’m the king dracula” calls for the deaths of anyone who be sippin’ the lowest lean quality imaginable while “im a rascal surfer in a ocean of bleood” talks about trying to swim in the pussy.

“yu broke me down i built myself up” kicks off the 2nd half asking if anyone wants to the ride this wraith he’s driving leading into “super nova” talking about dual-wielding the green-red beam like Christmas came earlier than expected. “peeley” samples “EARDRUMMER” by che to discuss guns, money & women while “No New Frens” talks about his wealth regardless of the kllhhr “feature” being so short that it’s inclusion felt rather pointless.

BenjiCold gets behind the boards during “diablo may cry” speaking of looking to make more money & wanting better out of this slut he’s addressing while “2k tip” featuring FullyChop & SlimeGetEm decently trades verses without the need of a hook. “shiro” talks about having different colored hair similar to the No Game, No Life character of the same name & once “Kat Lazer Eye Chain” talks about getting ready to splash everything, “last” concludes the album referencing WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson.

Everything that bleood’s dropped in the past few years has all built up to this moment & now that Kill Your Idols has seen the light of day, I’d easily put it above the Pain tape as the most riveting entry in his discography. The experimental production varies between rage, drill, free car music, digicore, industrial hip hop & Chicago drill with the animated performances balancing lyrical themes of hardcore & horror regardless of Pz’ having the strongest guest appearance of the select few joining him.

Score: 4/5

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Majik Ninja Entertainment – “Songs of Samhain V: Outside of Heaven” review

Here is the 7th showcase compilation from Detroit, Michigan underground hip hop label Majik Ninja Entertainment. Founded by Twiztid & their manager George Vlahakis in 2014 after departing from Psychopathic Records only 2 years before, they quickly built an empire or their own from bringing a few other PSY alumni along for the ride to help introduce G-Mo Skee & Alla Xul Elu to a much wider audience. The label’s first comp showing off their roster Year of the Sword has to be my personal favorite of the bunch thus far with all respect to Songs of Samhain as well as the Attack of the Ninjas compilation & Songs of Samhain 2: Haunted Record Player. However, they’re coming off Cult of Night & The Liminal Space to describe the Outside of Heaven.

After the “Pumpkin Boy” intro, “Glow in the Dark” by Jamie Madrox produced by DeadBoyGrim kicks things off with this trap opener talking about being crazy above intelligence whereas “Maybe I’m Dead” also by Madrox asks whether or not he really feels alive over a spooky Fritz the Cat beat. “Some Kinda Narcotic” by Bizarre, Jamie Madrox & LG talks about the music taking them to a hypnotic place over a boom bap instrumental from Stu Bangas leading into “W.W.W. (Wicked Worldwide)” by Anybody Killa & Twiztid dabbling with g-funk to clap back at their haters.

“Far from Ok” by Jamie Madrox, Krazy Attitude & Kryple finds the trio admitting they’re nowhere near being fine on top of a rock/trap fusion that Grady Finch cooked up while “Loser” by Hyro the Hero & Madrox talks about them not amounting to shit. “Pledge” by Blaze Ya Dead Homie, James Garcia or the artist formerly known as Young Wicked & Jamie Madrox links up so they can tell those who did them wrong to not do them the same just before “Blockin’ Out” by FJ Outlaw, Madrox & N*RAGED talks about cancelling out any negative energy.

Boondox joins Jamie Madrox for “Skin” so they can discuss their preference of being themselves instead of anyone else while “You Got Murdered” by James Garcia & Twiztid talks about what’ll happen if you speak ill of the wicked shit. “Pumpkin Pail” by Blaze Ya Dead Homie & Jamie Madrox explains how hollow they can be while “Just Outside” by Madrox & The R.O.C. preceding the “Pumpkin Boy No More” outro expresses hope of finding a way to get it.

I’ve enjoyed pretty much every single installment we’ve had in the Songs of Samhain series ever since MNE began dropping these comps when the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shut the entire world down but if I had to choose my least favorite chapter in the saga, Outside of Heaven would hold the bragging rights for that title although it’s largely decent & that’s because it’s curator Jamie Madrox performs a bulk of these without Monoxide other than only a couple tracks.

Score: 3/5

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k-os – “BLackneck” review

k-os is a 54 year old rapper, singer/songwriter & producer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada whose full-length studio debut Exit alongside the sophomore effort Joyful Rebellion & Atlantis: Hymns for Disco cemented himself as a dominant force in the Canadian hip hop scene despite releasing his debut single in 1996. Yes! we well as BLack on BLonde & Can’t Fly Without Gravity would all be welcomed to mixed reception, returning over a decade after the latter to have Drake oversee the creation of his 2nd extended play.

The self-produced “Still #1” opens up with k-os over a boom bap instrumental making the observation of there being no blacks in power around his parts leading into “OK Corral” letting this woman know she’s not the only one who wants to shoot his firearm. “Eureka!” comes through with a cross between “Beat It” by the late Michael Jackson & “Hey Ya!” by André 3000 talking about being loved despite his ugliness just before flexing that he has the “Golden Touch”, leaning towards a Velvet Underground vibe.

“i would never.” winds down the last few moments of BLackneck amplifying the rock influences we heard moments ago, this time drawing inspiration from The Hives so he can make a promise to not even attempt at steal someone else’s girl because he believes there’s already too much beauty in the world as there is while the 2nd & final single “Guns&Roses” talks about cutting rappers up like it’s chop suey, throwing it back to the Joyful Rebellion days. The closing track “Hootenanny” sends off the EP with a 3 & a half outro reminiscent to De La Soul.

It really isn’t much of a surprise Drake financially backed BLackneck considering k-os has always been one of his biggest musical influences & the fact they did a song together back in 2011 called “Faith”. Even if Drizzy’s detractors choose to put his involvement as executive producer to the side, Kheaven made up for the lukewarm reception that’s defined his work since Atlantis: Hymns for Disco by reminding us all of his talents whether it’s his varied production style or him becoming the change he wants to see.

Score: 3.5/5

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Bktherula – “N5ON” review

Atlanta, Georgia rapper & singer/songwriter Bktherula back for her 4th studio LP. Beginning a decade ago as a pop/R&B singer, she eventually broke out in the plugg scene after dropping the single “Tweakin’ Together” produced by my lil homie Mars off her debut mixtape Love Santana. This resulted in her signing to Warner Records, following it up with her sophomore tape Nirvana along with the full-length debut Love Black & LVL5. Coming off LVL5 2 & Lucy however, she’s returning 16 months later for N5ON.

“I Go Punk” kicks things off with Whethan fusing grime, dubstep, pop rap & hybrid trap talking about killing the ego right then & there leading into “Activated” produced by iloveit! chaotically admitting she’ll be on her worst behavior once she’s finished with this cup in her hand. “Oh Yay” goes for an atmospheric direction instrumentally yearning to see her lover’s body moving in different ways while “Addicted2U” featuring underscores blends electropop, electro house, dance-pop, hyperpop & progressive house achieving their goal of making something generational.

Cade gets behind the boards during “2002” talking about the club playing her music in a room full of sexy women just before “2wice” confronts someone who walked passed her a couple times like they never shared a name. “Lost in a Rave” talks about her desire of hearing a bass drop until it cuts through the evening & once “Afterz” flexes her money being longer than a pterodactyl, “Drunk” finds herself wanting to get wasted with her partner.

“Wav” hops over a Keyon Christ beat admitting this feels more like a dream to her instead of sincere love while “Push Pull Method” talks about a lost friend of hers who she can’t stop thinking of saying she would marry her when the party ends only to marry some other guy. “Jevitas” lets ¥en Diezel handle the sole verse going full-blown Spanish for an anthem dedicated to all the youthfully attractive women in the function while “Alisha” ends N5ON advising the person addressed not to call her without humble intentions.

Both singles that’ve come out within the past several months were a clear indication of Bktherula making a stylistic departure with N5ON & unsurprisingly, it’s the most experimental thing she’s made thus far. The songwriting’s noticeably more repetitive than anything she’s done previously, but the largely EDM-oriented production contrasting the trap/rage sounds she became known for at the turn of the decade validates it.

Score: 3.5/5

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Nettspend – “Virginia Creeper” review

This is the 2nd extended play from Richmond, Virginia rapper Nettspend. Blowing up in 2023 off his debut EP Kickdoor, he would also team up with Hooligan Lou for the poorly received collab EP 3rd Knock preceding him signing to Grade A Productions & Interscope Records a few months afterwards. His debut mixtape Badass Fucking Kid was welcomed to divisive feedback although I personally enjoyed it more than Kickdoor or Nettgenes’ eponymous debut EP. Coming off the introspective Early Life Crisis as well as the Him tape, the Virginia Creeper has appeared on Devil’s Night.

“same language” gets the ball rollin’ talking about making it big since Lil Bibby gave him a deal prior to “Get Guap” flexing that he’s been on top ever since he was a teenager over a distorted CXO instrumental. “6weeks” talks about every day looking like the previous 24 hours leading into “LL50” remembering the late Bloodhound Q50. “nite nite” produced by che spends a couple minutes dissing 9 Vicious & “JSX” concludes Virginia Creeper talking about wanting to fly his girl out using the semi-private airline.

Nettspend celebrates the Halloween season in preparation for his upcoming sophomore effort Slut & the NXO collaborative project with OsamaSon dropping the most mediocre collection of material he’s made since joining a major label, which is saying something because I enjoyed his last 3 offerings more than most did. The problem with Virginia Creeper lies within the trap, rage, cloud rap, plugg & pop rap production largely coming across as uninteresting regardless of him getting some stuff of his chest.

Score: 3/5

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