(Babygrande, 2006)



For the first time since their 1998 single "The Five Perfect Exertions", the Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks) conceived Army of the Pharaohs are back to deliver their first full length The Torture Papers. Since the idea of AOTP was for it to be a constantly evolving supergroup, there have been a few member changes in the last eight years, no more Bahamadia for one. The group currently consists of Vinnie Paz, 7L, Apathy, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, Crypt the Warchild, Des Devious, Esoteric, Faez One, King Syze, Planetary, and Reef the Lost Cauze.

The album starts off big with "Battle Cry" featuring the majority of AOTP kicking, you guessed it, hard battle raps that give you the basic idea of what this album is all about. This includes Chief Kamachi, in a strange coincidence rapping over the very same haunting ELO sample as he did on the first track of the JuJu Mob album last year. "Henry the 8th" has Vinnie declaring "put the ratchet to the side of your face like a cell phone." Tear it Down," with its classic boom-bap production and fitting MOP sample on the hook is another of the many highlights. "Into the Arms of Angels" comes at a perfect time to switch up the album's tempo with Faez One, Crypt and Vinnie Paz all in reflective moods spitting over a simple but effective beat by Rain. Despite there being a dozen rappers, The Torture Papers manages to remain cohesive while still giving each member their chance to shine. While its mostly gun and grenade type talk there are memorable lines dropped by many, with the menacing Vinnie Paz ending up standing out a little more than the rest. Listening to the variety on the album you wouldn't guess this, but along with all the emcees there are also nine different producers contributing their sinister best. This album is exactly what you'd expect it to be, hard rapping on dope beats.

- noyz319