Tag: Eddie Wellz

Dropout Kings – “Yokai” review

Phoenix, Arizona trap metal outfit the Dropout Kings consisting of vocalists Adam Ramey & Eddie Wellz, guitarist Rob Sebastian & drummer Jeremy Garcia releasing their 3rd studio LP. Making theirbdwbur in 2018 off their full-length debut AudioDope & gaining more momentum a couple years later with their debut EP GlitchGang, they signed to Suburban Noize Records for their divisive sophomore effort Riot Music even if I personally have it as my favorite in their discography. Adam tragically took his own life this spring & the Kings are dedicating Yokai to his memory.

“Black Sheep” starts the album with a rap metal/nu metal throwback talking about being out of their minds whereas “Brace Yourself” advises to prepare for what they’ve done to break themselves embracing both styles of the intro once again. “Baka” gets back to the band’s trap metal roots promising to live & die by honor as well as referencing my favorite WR of all-time Randy Moss, but then “F.T.W. (Fuck the World)” lividly gives a middle finger to everyone around them.

The rap metal vibes return for “Devil Fruit” observing the game for being as cutthroat as it is just before “First Day Out” starts the 2nd half of Yokai with the most melodic moment on the entire project singing about life going south & things looking brighter these days. “Guillotine” blends rap metal & alternative metal together so they can speak of finding their own ways around the darkness while “Fake It” asks if their names will be said or disappeared if they happened to fade away.

Meanwhile on the title track, we have the Dropout Kings going in an industrial hip hop direction instrumentally talking about bringing knifes to gun fights & becoming smartasses when they get too high prior to the rap rock-tinged “Eye Bleach” suggesting that they should be treating all these other bands in their lane like they’re children advising to hang it up already. The closer “Deadname” ends the sextet’s Napalm debut with a metalcore/rap metal hybrid wanting to be buried as their former forenames.

Getting to see the Dropout Kings live during both the Gathering of the Juggalos & Fright Fest in the late summer/early fall of 2021, what could most likely be Adam Ramey’s final recordings ever celebrates everything he stood for marks a bittersweet end of an era in the group’s story. The indomitable will, ambition, struggle & pain that’ve shaped these guys into what they are today get vouched for adapting to trap metal’s evolution during a time of their greatest loss.

Score: 4/5

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Dropout Kings – “Riot Music” review

The Dropout Kings are a trap metal outfit from Phoenix, Arizona consisting of Adam Ramey & Eddie Wellz on the mic, Chucky Guzman & Stait Flynn on guitars, Rob Sebastian on bass & finally Joe Lana Jr. on drums & percussion. They first made their mark in 2018 off their full-length debut AudioDope & gained more momentum a couple years later with their debut EP GlitchGang, which resulted in them signing to Suburban Noize Records the following spring. And as the 2-year mark of the Dropout Kings’ new label deal approaches, they’re further cementing themselves as the future of the Spade by delivering their sophomore album albeit Subnoize debut.

“Hit Like This” sets the tone for what’s to come with it’s guitar/hi-hat tinged instrumental & the angrily delivered lyrics making sure their music be hitting you unlike any other whereas “Dark Energy” truly lives up to it’s name from the explosive trap metal production to the subject matter discussing doing what they want & not giving a fuck about the industry “Fighter Jet” almost has a bit of an old school LINKIN PARK vibe instrumentally (i.e. Hybrid Theory & Meteora) declaring themselves as the flyest leading into “Pull Up” bringing back the hi-hats & guitars talking about how they can’t lose.

However, we go into more melodic territory on “Demons” as the the Dropout Kings wish everyone would just stay in their lane just before “Lights Out” comes through with an empowering ballad about failure not being an option even though I’m not head over heels for the DED feature truthfully. The title track however follows that up with a warmongering mosh pit anthem staying grounded in their trap metal roots, but then “Tofu” blends an atmospheric backdrop with some more hi-hats & guitars talking about being unable to be held back.

“No Notoriety” continues to draw inspiration from nu-metal era LINKIN PARK as far as sound goes down to the Chester Bennington-esque hook admitting that they have to find another way to right their wrongs while “Been G.O.A.T.” dives back into trap metal territory flexing their skills. The track “Vacuum Cleaner” goes straight forward rap metal bragging about getting head in their new whips while the penultimate song “Tell Me” takes a more melodic, acoustic trap route singing about wanting to hear what their lovers think of them. “Hey Uh” finishes the album with 1-last trap metal ballad about stealing the bitches of those who be cappin’.

If you wanna hear a group blend the styles of acts like City Morgue or even fellow Suburban Noize signees (həd) p.e., then you’re gonna want to give Riot Music a listen because it further exemplifies that the Dropout Kings are the future of the spade. Eddie & Adam both make the case that they’re the best MCs in metal as they reintroduce their signature sound to a wider audience.

Score: 4.5/5

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