S.O.S. – “Unloved by God, Unwanted by Satan” review

Horrorcore duo S.O.S. consisting of Denver, Colorado emcee & Lyrikal Snuff Productionz founder Scum alongside his New Mexico underwing Smallz 1 reuniting roughy 2 & a half year since their debut with a sophomore effort. Crossing paths with one another dozens of times over a couple decades almost, they would eventually form a group together in 2022 & drop Blame Us at the Gathering of Dreams of that year’s Gathering of the Juggalos festival. They’re looking to start 2026 by taking us through the minds of a pair who’re Unloved by God, Unwanted by Satan & I was anticipating it since I’ve liked their chemistry since initially familiarizing myself with LSP.

“I Found Out” begins tosses the mic back-&-forth with each other over an industrial boom bap fusion talking about being sinners until the end whereas “Look What I Did” continues to trade more wicked bars slaughtering the sheep & tearing their eyelids off. “Hit ‘Em” aggressively talks about unloading full clips at all the detractors & hoping to strike where it really hurts just before “Imbalance” tackles the subject of mental health, speaking of having missing screws in their heads.

Things go for a quirky boom bap vibe as S.O.S. explains how life’s “A Joke” that falls on everyone from their own perspectives depending on the way others see it leading into “Kick It” dabbling with trap so they can talk about punting muhfuckas in the dick. “Self Opp” explains they don’t need any enemies due to the fact Scum & Smallz can merely harm their own selves while “Don’t Listen” talks about cancelling out all the wack bullshit cornballs try to send their way.

“It’s a Shame” was a relatable way to get the 2nd half of Unloved by God, Unwanted by Satan going by wishing they could go back & undo all the things they’re ashamed of while “6°” blends some pianos & hi-hats trading gory bars with each other. “Backed into a Corner” angrily compares themselves to hungry wolves over more trap production while the trap metal-inspired “Woosah” dedicates itself to anyone who likes to start mosh pits.

The song “Ikarus Fall” produced by Godsynth winds down the last several minutes of S.O.S.’s 2nd album on some cloudy trap shit talking about Team Snuff being the gang & the rest needing to duck from the Gore Hop family while “U Disgust Me” eerily expresses disparaging feelings they have towards their victims prior to cutting them up. “It Don’t Matter” finishes the full-length with Smallz & Scum over pianos & hi-hats 1 last time talking about nobody caring if one of us dies or falls.

Scum & Smallz 1 elevate themselves throughout S.O.S.’ follow-up to their debut roughly 3 & a half years ago did an exciting job of bringing everything that made their previous collaborations so entertaining & Unloved by God, Unwanted by Satan puts itself right behind Blame Us enhancing all it’s perks. There are no issues with the prominent back-&-forth delivery nor the production, but I wouldn’t mind a feature or 2 whenever the underground’s equivalent to the current AAA Mundial Mixtas Parejas Campeons in the inaugural & current 2-time WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green & the current NXT North American Champion Ethan Page decides to make another body of work.

Score: 3.5/5

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Scum – “IOUz” review

Here we have the 16th studio LP from Denver, Colorado emcee & Lyrikal Snuff Productionz founder Scum. Starting as a member of an experimental grind/noise band called Down Syndrome about 29 years ago, his solo debut Enter the Asylum just turned 20 this past winter & has outdone himself plenty of times since. Case in point: The Gorefather, Out with the Old & recently his 3rd EP Bad Uncle fully produced by Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Devereaux. I also found myself enjoying the previously mentioned Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy of course too & paying off some IOUz almost 9 months since Anti-Human.

The title track by S.O.S. starts with this grisly trap intro paying up & making a deal with the devil whereas “Not Us” apocalyptically talks about representing the outcasts of the outcasts. “On My Behalf” brings back the trap vibes showcasing his bilingualism rippin’ the mic in both English & Russian respectively during his verse prior to “What I Want” featuring Rysk suggests you’d already be dead if they wanted you gone.

“Snuff Lab” offers a heinous trap flare instrumentally morbidly breaking down his murderous tendencies & saying that Jesus hung up on y’all while the ghostly boom bap joint “Tell Me” featuring Our Inner Circle asking if there’s something you haven’t told them yet. “Skeet Skirt” keeps it in the basement slaughtering anyone trippin’ leading into the sample-driven trap cut “Neva Good Enough” featuring Chloe Killz talking about that very feeling.

As for “When That Bill Due”, we have Scum on top of these ominous synthesizers to talk about revenge never being too late just before “Free 2 Rot” featuring Mista Doesha clarifying that they’ll probably never live up to the expectations of others. “Blown Off Heads” cloudily discusses headless corpses literally being unable to speak with police, but then “Whatever Awaits” featuring Madopelli & Mikahl Lawless returns to the boom bap heading towards what’s on the other side.

“Necessary Evil” gets the encore of IOUz going on a villainous trap note reassuring the fact of every story needing a villain while “Reburn” by M.M.M.F.D. energetically talks about pyromania. “Giving Up” ties up the Gorefather’s first body of work in 9 months feeling as if there are heavy chains attached to his legs getting ready to go for a swim off the edge a cliff & the chances of surviving being very slim.

Apologizing for being less professional & on point from time to time than everyone else deserves, the LSP founder has a reached a point where his life-long tab is due for a payment & IOUz is the best way he knows how to do it. All profits from the limited run of persobalised & signed physical copies will be donated to a non-kill animal shelter owing them too since as an animal lover & not doing as much as he should to help.

Score: 4/5

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Smallz 1 – “Defiled in the Lavender Fields” review

Smallz 1 is a 36 year old MC from Albuquerque, New Mexico who made her Lyrikal Snuff Productionz debut in 2009 off her full-length debut The Diary of a Black Widow shortly following her debut mixtape Sadistik Stylez. She has since become one of LSP’s most well-established artists putting out her sophomore effort The Crimson Kingdom, her 3rd album Mannequin, her debut EP Hourglass, her previous LP The Process of Elimination & more recently S.O.S.’ debut Blame Us. A week after the 24th annual Gathering of the Juggalos though, she’s putting her 2nd EP out on all streaming platforms.

“Gutted Eyes” starts us off with pianos & hi-hats promising to burn her competition & eventually herself asking why they judge here whereas “Way Below Average” by S.O.S. takes a bouncier trap route instrumentally talking about those who got them fucked up. “Lately” goes full-blown boom bap refusing to trust anyone always fuckin’ shit up, but then “Nevermind” brings the hi-hats back teaming up with her legion of demons to kill y’all.

Beginning the 2nd leg of the EP, the song “Lower Them Down” keeps it trap showing no mercy towards her opposition while “Garbage” ruggedly talks about doing shit better than the rest of these bitches. “Dismembered Wishes” featuring Bloody Ruckus cloudily discusses their lives going on & their haters’ being done leading into the cavernous “Trash Day” callin’ out those who really ain’t gonna do shit. “Pandora’s Box” wraps things up wishing long & enduring suffering on her enemies.

Claas so happened to give us the 3-track EP couple weeks ago In My Head centered around mental health & of the 2 new projects that LSP had to offer the gore hop heads & juggalos, I’m finding myself catering towards Defiled in the Lavender Fields more than The Summoning. Generally, it’s sound balances boom bap & trap allowing Smallz to put her own Lyrikal Snuff spin on those styles.

Score: 3.5/5

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Scum – “Anti-Human” review

Denver, Colorado emcee & Lyrikal Snuff Productionz founder Scum moving on from the Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy by releasing his 15th full-length solo LP. Starting as a member of an experimental grind/noise band called Down Syndrome about 28 years ago, his solo debut Enter the Asylum just turned 20 this past winter & has outdone himself plenty of times since. Case in point: The Gorefather, Out with the Old & recently his 3rd EP Bad Uncle fully produced by Chapter 17/Psychopathic Records in-house producer Devereaux last summer. I also found myself enjoying the previously mentioned Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy of course too & was certainly interested in the outcome of Anti-Human.

M.M.M.F.D. gets us started with “This Pain” morbidly talking about losing an addiction battle & doubting that heaven would let them in if they even try walking through the pearly that is until “Revenge is Cheap” grabs the ski mask & makes them bleed rather quickly over this gruesome trap instrumental. “The Past” takes the trap metal route stylistically blowing up in people’s faces similarly to that of an explosive barrel, but then “Float or Sink” featuring Big Hoodoo works in kicks & snares talking about swimming for your life.

“What U Leave Behind” has more of a cloudy trap flare to it tackling the idea of forgetting things that one may now regret as time passes by while “Bloody Mess” works in some guitars & hi-hats talking about leaving them curled up in a ball bruised & abused. The piano-heavy “When I’m Gone” featuring Madopelli presents self-mutilation at it’s finest clarifying it’s about those who’ll remember you when the hype is through as opposed to who’ll show up at your funeral just before “Unsobriety” goes trap metal again talking about being fucked up to cope with anxiety.

S.O.S reunites on “Pull Up” going for a cloudy trap vibe thanks to Fiasco Andretti advising to come through just to be murdered leading into “Cold One” featuring Lyte menacingly breaks down simply how cold both the Gorefather & the Psychopathic MonStar can be. “Guilty” wickedly talks about sitting in this motherfucker with a shotgun while “Daaamn” produced by Godsynth calls out an individual that he heard stole from those that you should never steal from in the first place & severing ties in the process.

“No More” featuring JP tha Hustler, Mista Doesha & Slyzwicked begins the final moments of Anti-Human in the form of all 4 MCs desecrating everyone who pushed them to the limit returning to the boom bap in the process while “Heavy Lies the Crown” continues the encore of the album with a synth-trap fusion talking about too much pressure steady caving in on his skull now. “Voicemail” ends the LP getting relatable over on top of kicks & snares needing someone to talk to as soon as possible rather than leaving a voice message.

Over 2 decades of giving the underground nothing but straight-up gore hop & Anti-Human continues to make that the case for the Gorefather himself. The overall sound is predominantly trap, yet you also get hints of trap metal & even boom bap so Scum can bring some his LSP brethren & even a couple Psychopathic Records alumni keeping the underground wicked shit scene alive & thriving in the distinctive styles of all performers involved.

Score: 3.5.5

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SZA – “S.O.S.” review

This is the highly anticipated sophomore effort from St. Louis, Missouri singer/songwriter SZA. Emerging about a decade ago in the alternative R&B scene off the strength of her first 2 EPs SEE·SZA·RUN & S, she would eventually sign to Top Dawg Entertainment in the summer of 2013 & has since made herself home with the west coast label by putting out her 3rd EP Z alongside the RCA Records distributed full-length debut CTRL. But with the 5 year anniversary of the latter passing by over the summer, she’s returning in the form of S.O.S.

The title track opens things off with a stripped back instrumental from Jay Versace sampling “Until I Found The Lord (My Soul Couldn’t Rest)” by Gabriel Hardman expressing her desire to take what’s rightfully her’s whereas “Kill Bill” has a more spacious quality to it thanks to Carter Lang singing about how mature she is. “Seek & Destroy” however has a moodier vibe calling out someone who pushed her to her capacity, but then “Low” goes into trap territory talking about keeping shit on the DL.

Meanwhile on “Love Language”, we have SZA on top of an aquatic beat asking for transparency leading into “Blind” diving into more drumless turf confessing that she can’t see the things she needs & the love she seeks. “Used” returns to a more atmospheric quality courtesy of DJ Dahi singing about feeling like it’s over & something callin’ to get closer just before the seductive” Snooze” produced by Babyface & Leon Thomas III lets her lover know just how important he is to her.

“Notice Me” returns to a more trap-based sound explaining that she doesn’t need to be this dude’s lover while “Gone Girl” admits that she needs more space & security over a piano instrumental with some finger-snaps featuring co-production from Emile & Jeff Bhasker. “Smoking on My Ex Pack” goes full-blown chipmunk soul rapping about an ex of hers for 83 seconds while “Ghost in the Machine” ponders if one could distract her from all the disaster over a rich yet minimal beat.

Continuing from there with “F2F”, the guitars throughout were unexpected yet welcoming as SZA admits that she hates herself enough for the 2 of them while “Nobody Gets Me” keeps the acoustics around courtesy of benny blanco singing about being misunderstood by everyone except the person that she’s currently with. “Conceited” is a tropical trap banger acknowledging how introverted she’s always been while “Special” works in some more finger-snapping & an airy backdrop feeling like she’s a loser when I personally feel like she’s far from it considering I’ve been a fan of her music since high school.

“Too Late” has a more cloudy yet peppy tone to the instrumental as the lyrics address 2 lovers that’re dangerous for each other while “Far” talks about being unable to trust anyone & done getting fucked over with some synths & hi-hats laced together by Beat Butcha. “Shirt” comes through with an alternative R&B/trap hybrid admitting that she likes feeling lost while the Travis Scott-assisted “Open Arms” comes with a guitar-driven sequel to “Love Galore” talking about devotion.

The song “I Hate U” has some downchill/vaporwave undertones to it expressing her disscontempt for an ex in her life while the penultimate track “Good Days” is a remarkable neo-soul cut pulling from neo-psychedelia & chamber folk singing about focusing on the positives in her life. “Forgiveless” however is a boom bap closer starting off with a sample of “The Stomp” by the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan & SZA calling out those disrespecting her behind her back.

Between this as well as Kendrick’s latest album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers alongside Ab-Soul’s comeback effort Herbert dropping next weekend, 2022 has been the best year that TDE has had in quite some time. The production is more contemporary, yet her songwriting is as strong as before & her performances come off as genuinely passionate. Whether she actually quits making music or not because she’s been teasing it forever now or we get a new body of work from her at some point, anyone who loves the alternative R&B trailblazer as much as I do would consider this a welcoming return.

Score: 4/5

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S.O.S. – “Blame Us” review

This is the full-length studio debut from S.O.S. consisting of Russian-American horrorcore veteran Scum & his New Mexico-based protégé Smallz 1, who has been a longtime signee to Lyrikal Snuff Productionz for the last 15 years or so. Of course they’ve been working with one another for a long time & always killed it whenever they popped up together, so it was only a matter of time they dropped Blame Us a week after headline the first night of the Gathering of Dreams.

“Victim” kicks off the whole album with a symphonic boom bap beat attacking those with a victim’s mentality whereas the apocalyptic title track confessing to be the root of every issue. “Never” works in some rock undertones reminiscing on the times one had to lose it all just before the rebellious “March” talking about the Army of Beasts they have.

Meanwhile on “Blood”, we have Smallz & her mentor over some g-funk production detailing a bloodbath prior to “The Tab” embracing a funereal sound confessing to pay such in order for issues to be resolved. “That Kind of Shit” is a piano/string infused banger basically beeping the wicked shit leading into “Needful Things” asks about selling your soul over a glistening trap instrumental.

“Would That Be Alright?” shoots for a more deranging aesthetic expressing their desire to stab while “Rage” aggressively goes back & forth with one another stomping a motherfucker out. The song “What They Say” has a more jazzy, boom bap vibe talking about never giving a fuck about what others think of them while the penultimate track “Hate” is a livid diss towards all their enemies. “Off the Juice” however ends with a depressing tune about drinking & their inner demons.

I knew it was only a matter of time that they put this out on DSPs & if you love all the songs S.O.S. have done with one another over the years crossing paths, then I highly recommend listening to Blame Us for the Gore Hop fans who’ve come to love both artists. Scum & Smallz 1 bring the best out of each other lyrically accompanied by some gruesome production, refraining from having any guests to let their chemistry shine brighter.

Score: 4/5

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Scum – “Dyin’ World Chroniclez 3: Black Soulz” review

Scum is a 41 year old MC from Denver, Colorado known for founding the seminal horrorcore label Lyrikal Snuff Productionz. He’s gone on to release 13 albums on his own, the previous being the first 2 installments of the Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy Grey Skiez in the spring & then Red Groundz in the summer. But at last, The Gorefather is rounding out the trilogy with his 14th full-length offering.

After the intro, the first song “Keep It Bloody” is an apocalyptic opener getting murderous whereas “Curbside” with Cody Manson & Darby O’Trill finds the trio on some murky trap shit talking about leaving their opposition in a bag. “Dues” follows it up with a rap rock banger describing what he wants to see at his shows leading into Jade the Nightmare tagging along for the triumphant title track talking about being angels falling from the sky.

Meanwhile on “Tx4l”, we have Scum returning to trap turf continuing the themes of murder just before “Dumb” wickedly fires shots at all any stupidity that comes his way. “Mizundastood” perfectly lashes out at all those who be talking shit about juggalos, but then “Ain’t Shit” works in a bass-heavy Devereaux beat to diss any bum wanting to go up against them.

The song “Wake Up Dead” continues to delve further into the topic of death over a morbid instrumental while the penultimate track “Respekt” featuring ILLtemper & Tragik sees the trio on top of some strings talking about wanting their props. “Disrespekt” by S.O.S. ends the album with a counterpart to the previous cut except this one’s a lot more grimier in my personal opinion.

Now that the Dyin’ World Chroniclez trilogy is complete, I’d have to say it’s amongst some of Scum’s best material in his ever-growing discography & Black Soulz is a solid finisher. I could’ve done without half the features (the only ones that really stood out to me are the 3 LSP signees), but I do appreciate how he connects the gap between the last 2 installments.

Score: 3.5/5

Rittz – “S.O.S.” review

Rittz is a 41 year old MC from Gwinnett County, Georgia who made himself a household name in the underground a decade ago by dropping his only mixtape White Jesus under Yelawolf’s independently owned Slumerican Records. Eventually, this lead to him jumping ship to Strange Music for a 4-album contract with each one showing his fantastic growth both as an artist & as a person: The Life & Times of Jonny Valiant, Next to Nothing, Top of the Line & Last Call. Once the contract was fulfilled, Rittz formed his very own CNT Records & Put a Crown on It became the inaugural release on Black Friday a couple years back. But with the 1-year anniversary of Picture Perfect coming next month, he’s celebrating with an 8-track EP.

“Frozen Peas” is a ghostly opener detailing his lifestyle whereas “Dig Deeper” works in some keys & snares telling us he’s harder than ever. The atmospheric production “UFO” is perfect with Rittz comparing his whip to such just before “La Familia” gives us an energetic CNT ode.

Meanwhile on “Keep It Like That”, we have Rittz & Vinnie Paz on top of a signature boom bap instrumental from C-Lance going at fake motherfuckers leading into the short yet beautiful “Expert” declaring himself as such. The title track has a morbid trap beat pleading to be saved from his misery & “Sick of Suffering” ends the EP where the previous cut left off on all fronts.

Even though I was personally a bit indifferent towards Picture Perfect & Rittzmas, I can’t deny that S.O.S. is an improvement. I think the production choices have stepped up in comparison to those last couple projects & some of his most vulnerable lyrics pop up in effect.

Score: 3.5/5

Scum – “Dyin’ World Chroniclez 2: Red Groundz” review

This is the 13th full-length album from Russian-American horrorcore veteran Scum. Coming up as the founder of the local independent powerhouse Lyrikal Snuff Productionz, the man has literally dropped dozens of projects either on his own or with side projects like M.M.M.F.D. & the 4 Horsemen. Dude just dropped Dyin’ World Chroniclez: Grey Skiez about 5 months ago & after a couple of new singles following that, we’re being treated to the sequel Dyin’ World Chroniclez 2: Red Groundz.

After the intro, the title track works in some violins for him & King Gordy portraying their own different versions of Hell whereas “Beyond Comprehension” is a trap banger talking about how his intentions are clear. S.O.S. reunites to let people know they’ll remain underground on the frosty “My Damnation” just before trapping cats into a “Lion’s Cage” with a demented instrumental.

Meanwhile on “We the Onez”, we have M.M.M.F.D. jumping on top of a skeletal trap beat to talk about parents warning their children of them leading into “Wonder” continuing to delve into that sound except it has more meat on the bone & Scum pondering what’s going through his victim’s mind. “Groundhog (Fri)day(13)” is an aggressive, high-tempo anthem to murder whereas “Intrauterine Cannibalistic” with Hex Rated goes into trap metal territory talking about making cats bleed when they catch ‘em.

The song “Humpty Dumpty” speaks on cracking people’s heads over a nocturnal instrumental while the penultimate track “Keep That Shit” works in some keyboards & hi-hats to admit that he’s sick in the head. Then it rounds out with “Nevaendin’ Story”, which is Scum talking about murder being addictive accompanied by a misty beat.

Scum has been putting it down for the underground wicked shit scene for a very long time at this point & the whole Dyin’ World Chroniclez series that he’s been doing lately turning out pretty hard. In comparison to the previous installment, I think this one sounds darker & rawer in terms of production choices & pen-game.

Score: 3.5/5

Scum – “Dyin’ World Chroniclez: Grey Skiez” review

Scum is a 40 year old rapper from Denver, Colorado known for being the founder of the seminal horrorcore label Lyrikal Snuff Productionz. He’s gone on to release 11 albums on his own, the previous being the double-disc Out with the Old that came out this past summer. But just about 7 months later, the Gorefather is returning once more for his 12th full-length album.

After the intro, the title track that truly kicks the album off talks about Hell awaiting over a frightful instrumental whereas the next song “New Day” with Lex the Hex Master sees the 2 giving their take on the saying “out with the old, in with the new” over an oracular trap beat. The track “This Right Here” talks about repping LSP over a villainous boom bap beat while the song “When It Rains” by S.O.S. finds the 2 talking about spraying rounds over a bleak yet abrasive trap instrumental.

“Tha Hit” vividly details whacking someone over some weighty strings while the track “Body Parts” by M.M.M.F.D. talks about dismemberment over a slow, wintry beat. The song “Stress” talks about insanity over a deranged instrumental while the track “Look Around” by Lobotomy talks about the fall of an empire over a apocalyptic trap beat.

The song “Downfall” talks about how fucking with LSP will be the end of you over a nocturnal trap instrumental while the penultimate track “24” with Death+ finds the 2 talking about having fucked up thoughts 24/7 365 over an uncanny beat. The album finishes off with “Story’s End”, where Scum talks about how you’re going to meet your maker over a cinematic instrumental.

This is a pretty dope album & I’m looking forward to hearing how the other installments of the Dyin’ World Chroniclez turn out to be. The lyrics is as gruesome as it was on his debut 18 years ago & his production choices just keep getting rawer with each project he puts out.

Score: 3.5/5