REVIEW: Dark Religion - Hollow Jack

Dark Religion by Hollow Jack

Review by

Steve Rider – Infinite Sounds UK

I first got in contact with Hollow Jack via Facebook and I have been considering getting this album for a while. I am still considering getting this album as soon as funds allow.

Then Brother said how he had ordered the Album from Jack and I thought, What the Fuck! This is an opportunity to review the album before buying it. So, here I am. Huge props to my brother Scott for lending me the Album to review.

The important thing to note here is that Hollow Jack released this album a year ago. There is so much going on in the Hip Hop world that you often miss those underground gems. So, is this one of those said ‘Underground Gems?’ Well let’s find out shall we....

Hollow Jack aka Jack the Ripper Kicks off with Servants of Jack produced by WhosOne. This introduction to the brain of Jack makes you realise that this is going to be an interesting ride. Even though this first track seems kinda laid back, it just makes you wanna hear more.

World of Chains is not so much Horrorcore but, a political statement. Jack is backed up on this track by Porno Pat who handles the second verse. Production comes from Byrd and the beat seems to have something of a feel good vibe but, also works with politically charged content.

The Albums’ Title track, Dark Religion, returns to a darker vibe from Jack. He paints a lyrical picture that takes you into strange story that definitely drags to world where you imagination could run away with you as you put pictures to the words. Even the beat on this one, crafted by WhosOne, has a surreal vibe.

 Now, Acopalypse Now, Holy shit! This is more like it, some crazy shit focusing around the Police. Jack is joined by Deji Vu and Dilyrium on a solid track. There is a contrast between the lyrical styles of each of them but, it works. Dilyrium also handles production and the beat on this track is superb. If you know your horror movies you will know the sample on this track for sure. Although, I’m not 100% sure of the last few seconds of the track...?

Violent Prophecy, ft Gore Elohim (Non Phixion), is a track that seems to creep up on you and slowly draw a lyrical straight razor across your throat. A nice laid back beat with production by WhosOne.

Tim Curry greets us on A Cold Day in Hell, with his speech from Legend. Here Jack gives us another banger that gives us a visceral lyrical image to assault our brain. Nice dope banging beat produced by Byrd.

Time of the Wolf is ushered in by howl of wolf. The howl and the lyrical story brings images of the werewolf, from everyone’s favourite horror movies. Jack is again partnered by Dilyrium with WhosOne on production.

Lord of Horrorcore begins with Donald Pleasence from Halloween, an absolute Horror classic. Jack is on Horror form here crafting a track to rip your spine out. Production by Byrd is again on point here and really gives this track an edge.

 Killer Instinct ft Porno Pat and produced by Dilyrium, defiantly has more of deep vibe that drags you to freaky picture of your weirdest horror imaginings. The beat and lyrics work really well here in helping you shape your worst fears.

Jack Torrance finds our man drawing on the experiences of the famous character from The Shining to provide us with another dark story from the Book of Gore. Dilyrium and Strik9 join Jack on vocal duties with Dilyrium also handles the Production.

Deep in the Midden drags you deeper into a lyrical nightmare with a definite Horror vibe both lyrically and audibly. Production by Ryver Styx has a nice dark edge helping to drag veil over you.

The Lone Ranger, produced by Byrd, shows that Horror was alive and slaying in the old wild west. With some nice little snippets from Young Guns and The Good the Bad and the Ugly, a solid banger.

Blind Justice rounds off the LP. Another track that is more of a statement on what is going on around us, not just a story crafted to cause us to imagine a Horror story. This more, taking the horrors from around us and crafting a story from them. WhosOne again handles the Production.

What this album does for me is takes me back to the Horror of the 70’s and 80’s. These were the times when you had blood and guts but, also a more psychological edge. If I were thinking of an up-to-date Horrorcore vibe it would be more visceral and in your face, Fuck you kinda thing. But, not so with Hollow Jack! Dark Religion is a well round and well crafted album that takes you to Horror in your mind rather than directly in your face.

This is where I struggled with this at first. I thought too much about horrorcore. Thinking more of Necro, from the US, and a type of Horror and Gore vibe! But, your Hip Hop Horror here is definitely more inspired. Well at least that is what I get with it. I was expecting stories crafted around blood, guts and visceral violence.

What you get with this album is a lyrical Stephen King style vibe of creep up on you and then fuck you up. While musically you hit with Hip Hop beats with a dark edge that puts you in mind of John Carpenter movies but, without the electronic edge to the music.

The other interesting thing about listening to this album is you don’t realise that Hollow Jack hails from Sweden.  But, you definitely get his love for horror movies.

This is an impressive debut solo album. One that is definitely growing on me the more I listen to it! Ok, so it didn’t fire me up as much as I thought it might but, it’s still one you should have in your collection, especially as Jack might well sign it for you (You too could look as happy as my Bro, see below pic). 

Check the link below to get your copy and support Hollow Jack. Remember, underground artists do it for the love of it and not for the money and the fame.

I’m Out!

Peace

Steve – Infinite Sounds UK

Check here for Hollow Jack info and to get a copy of the CD:

Hollow Jack Facebook Fan Page 

Hollow Jack on YouTube:

Hollow Jack - YouTube 

REVIEW: Strange Works EP - Zolla Root

Strange Works EP by Zolla Root

Review by

Steve Rider – Infinite Sounds UK

I have really been keeping my eyes open for local Hip Hop acts around the West Country where I currently make my home.

Everyone knows there is a big Hip Hop scene in Bristol and some good acts have come out of the West Country of England, such as Dookie Squad. But, from chatting to people at the recent Final Dookie Squad Gig in Exeter, Including the talented Shire Roots, the Hip Hop scene in the West Country is really taking off.

So, I had to do a bit of diggin’ to see. I happened to come across a new EP from a guy in Falmouth, Cornwall. As I love Cornwall, that goes back to my childhood days and my late mum’s love of Arthurian Legend, I decided this had to be a good place to start and hopefully give this guy a bit of exposure. 

 

So, here are my thoughts, track by track...

Most of Them is your intro to Zolla Root and it’s clear from this that he has a good flow with some interesting use of words. I mean using a line about beating his cock till it’s red, in the first track had me thinking, now that’s fucking funny and good to see someone coming up and not afraid to just talk some shit. Production is handled here by Funki Flavour and nice and laid back. Not a bad opener and had me, like, OK then Bro... Let’s see what you got?

Liquor Dream is up next and production by Blue Luc give a dope little track for Zolla to lay down a verse hitting us with Lines about grief that hint at drawing on your life stories will give you plenty of deep stories to give you an edge.

Toot Toot is a funky track that could well be my favourite track on the EP. Anyone who mentions Cheddar Cheese on a track has got some props from me. Great flow on this with some really great lyrics that had me like, that’s funny as fuck. The production from Ed Cox on this pulls a really solid track out the bag.

Yesterdays Destiny, with production by Hedge, is again a nice pretty solid track nice chilled out beat that you could easily listen to driving along in your car or kicking back at home with a Beer or Cider.

Double L is the only track on the EP to feature another artist. Joining Zolla is Nephz and they both handle themselves amorally, both lyrically and in their eased back flow. Funki Flavour is back on the track and provides a beat so chilled and laid back I was almost asleep.

2 Sugars closes out the EP with Funki Flavour again hitting us with a track so laid back, it almost fell over.  Zolla again kicks back rhymes easily over such a great track.

You can tell this EP is laid back by the fact that my writing style is more chilled and not so full on in ya face.

On the whole this EP is pretty solid for first release. Very chilled out and something that would not be outta place to listen to while chilling with a beer or whilst kicking back with a suspiciously long cigarette you just rolled.

Zolla handles the lyrical duties well. Yeah, it’s a first release and pretty raw in its lyrical content. There are the times its funny and you think, that’s the type of crazy shit I’d be using. There are also times when you muse over the fact that, I’m not sure about that word or that line but,  you know, what the fuck. 

This guy has plenty of time to perfect his own style and that is what Hip Hop is about. None of us are gone like everything every artist puts out 100% of the time.

Overall, I felt production was pretty solid here and while it’s true that I’ve not heard of these guys before I really enjoyed what I heard and look forward to hearing more from them all and finding out a bit more about them.

This is well worth your time to listen to. It might not be perfection but, what is perfection? I would say Zolla Root is definitely one to watch for in the future and I am looking forward to reviewing more from this guy.

Look out for my Interview with him. Something that should give you all a little more insight into who he is.

Strange Works was released on 23^rd August 2017 and as available from the Bandcamp link below on a name your price basis. Please support the artist and give what you can.

Peace out,

Steve

Zolla Root on Bandcamp - Buy the EP Here 

Shadow of the Lunatic - Planet of the Fakes - EXCLUSIVE Pre-Release Album review

SHADOW OF THE LUNATIC

By

PLANET OF THE FAKES

Review by Steve Rider (Infinite Sounds)

It is not very often that you are given a chance to listen to an album before its release and rarer still to be able to review it as well but, to be first person to hear that album and review it outside of those whom recorded it is something special. I am humbled to be that person and so, I hope that this review can live up to that.

The Fakes are no strangers to hardcore tracks and have given us some outstanding Hip Hop over the years. They even gave us some awesome freebies over the Xmas period. What more could you want?

“A Dope Album” I hear you say. Well, aren’t you all lucky because, for the last four years, Inzaine, Mr Morph, Sinista and Mr.Tibbz have been working on the forthcoming ‘Shadow of the Lunatic’ album. So, when I was given the chance, by Mr.Tibbz, to give the album a listen and a review prior to its release, I said to myself “Fuck yeah.”

All I had to do was give it a listen and come up with something in less than two weeks. What could I do? That was easy, I stopped fucking around and started to see what all the fuss was about and what all you Hip Hop heads out there have been waiting on....

The album crackles into life with [SIC] like its being played through some World War 2 armed forces radio. Interspaced with Kura’s deft cuts, you are presented with an audible hook that is dangling a long awaited vinyl worm.

 Following [SIC], Sicker than Sick finds the Fakes, with DJ Kura, on top form with an opening track which shreds your eardrums. The Drama’s Here follows next, tearing your senses apart as the Fakes, Gambit and DJ Tones ensure you are kept held at vinyl gunpoint.

Next in the chamber is Re-Ignite the Mic. This track is an audible fragmentation grenade crafted expertly by the Fakes accompanied by Kid Lyrical, Alikazam, Exile and Iceski with cuts handled by DJ Highfly. With the Mic and your ears now aflame, Def Intellect follows next. Don’t let the comical intro and slightly slower speed of this track fool you. The minute you do this one will sneak up on you. The Fakes will hold you down while DJ Tones cuts you up.

But, the Lunatic is waiting and lets in the Intruders. The Fakes and DJ Tones stalk you and draw you well and truly into the shadow of the Lunatic.

From the shadow creeps forth the Proper Nuttas. Blades joins the Fakes here picking up where the last track left off and with DJ’s Tones, Kura and Morph on the cuts, there is no room for censorship here.

Now is the Rise of the Lunatic and the Fakes are in your head. You begin to question just who is the lunatic? Suddenly, familiar breaks hit you so hard that you think they’re From Another Planet. Cuts are interplanetary from Suicide Petch and the Fakes take on journey from one side of the galaxy to the other.

There is no time to recover because at 0.5 past light speed the sirens hit and you’re caught well and truly in the jaws of the Rhyme Animal. Chewed up and spat out, you wonder if you can truly survive? But, the Fakes have the answer. DJ Morph and the Fakes inject you with huge Dose of the Lethal to bring you back from the brink.

As you sit wondering what the fuck just happened? DJ Kura is back with the Fakes to bring you down from your Hardcore Hip Hop mind fuck. In these last few seconds you realise that in a world full of pain where the power hungry seek to keep you down. There is only one answer and starts here because, You are the Resistance.

I hope this really helps put across how this sounded in its first play? Perhaps this is how a Jedi or a Sith get into your head?

This truly is dope album in every sense of the word. But, words are even hard to find to describe it. The production by Inzaine is truly fucking awesome and the Planet of the Fakes are truly on top form. Even the artistry by Mr.Tibbz for the cover just seems to fit exactly what this album is about.

It is hard to find fault with this album and mean that from the very depths of my being. I don’t like finding fault and indeed I am not going to here. My only gripe is that it is simply too short and I wanted more, much more.

My initial thought’s, when I wondered how to describe this album, took me back to the days when Blade, Hijack and Gunshot ruled the UK Hip Hop Airwaves. Those were the days when we knew the UK had sound, energy and roughness the US could not clone. Now, those days are creeping back out of the shadows but, keeping a foot squarely in the Underground.

With Shadow of the Lunatic, the Planet of the Fakes has put the Hip Hop world on notice. In the Shadows the Lunatic goes unseen building on hard work and dedication and bringing you an instant underground classic.

I’ll leave you with this one piece of advice, “You need this fucking album. So, buy it, buy it now or forever be a wack ass toy”

Laters,

Steve (Infinite Sounds), 30^th August 2017.

Shadow of the Lunatic is released on 8th September 2017 on Rekognition Records.

Here are all the links you need:

Shadow of the Lunatic Promo Mash-up Mix 

Now go buy the Record Here:

Planet of the Fakes - Store 

or Here

Plant of the Fakes - Bandcamp 

Lastly here are some more links for you:

Planet of the Fakes - Facebook 

Rekognition Records - Facebook 

 

Graphic Bars - Interview

S'up everyone.
For the second time in as many days, i'm back with another interview.
I did this the same time as Remarks from yesterday. As they have been working closely, it seemed the natural thing.
Being a south coast native I really want to push interviews with those acts from the south coast. Places like Brighton, Southampton, Bournemouth, Exeter and so on have an awesome underground Hip Hop family from the days of way back to the present.

Today I bring you Graphic Bars.
This guy has a wicked future ahead of him. Infact since a recent live gig in Worthing things have really blown up for this guy. So, trust me keep your Ears open and your Eyes peeled for Graphic Bars cos the future is gonna bring pure dopeness for sure.

Hi Graphic Bars,
Thanks for letting take some of your time to ask a few questions.



1. What have been the biggest musical influences for you?

When I grew up my house was full of music; The Beatles, The Stones, Motown, Irish Music, ABBA, The Police.

I was also naturally drawn to dark, eerie electronica, so I liked Kraftwerk, Ashes To Ashes-era Bowie, Depeche Mode, Kate Bush.

Then Hip-Hop grabbed me, particularly Ice T, Public Enemy, NWA, Eric B & Rakim, BDP, and PHP (who then became Deliverance later on)

So all of that sparked and excited my early mind, and then I started writing rhymes and creating loops with my double-tape deck!

After that I started up crews, and we listened to Hijack, Hardnoise, Above The Law, Geto Boys, Gunshot, London Posse, Blade, 2 Tone Committee, Mell'O', The Terrorists, Killa Instinct etc.

Since then I got influenced by all sorts of things, but latter-day music that lights up my soul includes AOTP, Immortal Technique, Araab Muzik, Kavinsky, Radiohead, James Blake, Frank Ocean, SOAD, Kool Keith, Nirvana, Sigur Ros, Brotha Lynch Hung, Mogwai, loads of the lads doing Grime, Vinnie Paz, Bad Meets Evil, CES Cru to name a small portion.



2. How do you relax?

I like to lie down and write rhymes, listen to music, watch comedy, watch drama, read.

Also love spending time with my Daughter, and weight-training is a huge part of my zen!

Hitting town and letting loose is also highly enjoyable.



3. What drew you to Hip Hop?

Hip-Hop hit me like a fucking thunderbolt!

It spoke to me immediately; it was so visceral and visual, painting pictures with words and vocal patterns.

And each rapper used a different paintbrush and palette... it was the rappers that transfixed me, and I started writing rhymes and making loops at 11.

Graf and graffiti artists were all around me too, and it added to the excitement and feeling of belonging.

Hip-Hop is everything to me, one of my first loves along with football, and it will be with me forever.



4. What would be your Craziest hip hop story?

I was in a crew in the 90's called Acumen, and we were getting some nice attention.

We were going up to catch The Beastie Boys in Brixton, so we did some raw versions of five of our best tracks with the 4-track the night before.

As soon as they opened with Sure Shot I got into a fight (I didn't start it, I'm not that type of fella) and a big dude sucker-punched me in the back of the head.

My head was swimming, and when I shook it off there was a full-on crowd crush, with people being pulled under and all sorts! Mental stuff!

We then chucked our tape on stage, and Ad Rock picked it up, looked through the holes like a pair of glasses, gave us the thumbs-up, and put it on the side of the stage, and intimated he would get it after, and gave us an 'OK' sign.

We were chuffed, man!

Anyway, they were rushed off stage at the end, and the tape was still at the side of the stage.

We told a member of security about it, and asked if he could get it to Ad Rock. He picked it up and said "you mean this tape?"
Then the prick snapped it in two!

We hurled insults at him and he chuckled and went backstage. Gutted, man, totally uncalled for...

I hope that nobend has had a disappointing life!

I don't really, but it was a real dick-move, you know!



5. Do you have a favourite track you have written for a particular reason?

I have two.

The current single, 'Behind The Blinds' and the next single, which we are filming the video for next Thursday (20th April 2017) called 'Is There Enough?'

They are both open tracks lyrically, 'Behind The Blinds' being about the battles we fight within ourselves, and the first verse serves to suggest I feel comfortable on the mic, but not really anywhere else!

'Is There Enough?' is about feeling good and content, and how if that essence could be captured, the 'powers that be' would steal it, distill it, bottle it, and start profiting from it!

It's metaphorical, and I lyrically display what it is that makes me feel good, and what makes my light shine like a spotlight for the leeches and foxes to come and chase!

 





6. What would be your favourite non hip hop album?

I have loads of non hip-hop albums that are close to me.

But if I had to chose one it would probably be 'Hounds Of Love' by Kate Bush.

Outstanding production, instrumentation, melodies, hooks, lyrics, vocals, concepts.

It's the sound of an artist on top of their game, in their own world, pulling you in and keeping you mesmerised.

She's kooky, man, the female Bowie.

Shame she ruined her mystique recently and gave her respect to Theresa May, though! Wtf!


7. You can select 5 bands/artists (hip hop or non hip hop) for a one off gig... who are they?


Well, every artist/group I'm going to select will be them in their prime (e.g. Kate Bush would be from 1985, not the one from today who likes Theresa May! Still can't get over that shit!)

The Beatles
NWA
Radiohead
Eric B & Rakim
Immortal Technique

(Nearly made it: Public Enemy, BDP, James Blake, Hardnoise, and Frank Ocean)

Oh, and Kate Bush is eliminated due to her love of Theresa May!




8. Outside of hip hop I research all sorts of paranormal and supernatural subjects! Do you have any thoughts on such things?

Well, I don't discount the existence of anything beyond my frame of comprehension.

I have felt changes in temp and vibe that could be caused by something other than my own state of mind.

I don't think I'm psychically-tuned enough to ever have a visual representation of spirit or whatever, but it doesn't mean I would deny the possibility of it being plausible.


9. The South Coast is producing some dope talent right now how does it feel to be a part of that?

Nice of you to lump me into that category, cheers!

Being part of anything due to my music being appreciated is cool by me.

And I'm very open to all genres.


10. Hypothetical Situation. You’re stuck on an island for 1 month and only have 1 Album, 1 Single, 1 book and 1 Movie? What are they?

Album: 'Nostalgia Ultra' Frank Ocean (don't want too much Hip-Hop, because I would use the time to write, and I can't listen to Hip-Hop when I'm in writing mode)
Single: 'Serve Tea Then Murder' Hardnoise
Book: 'Perfume' Patrick Suskind
Movie: 'Shogun Assassin'


11. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Many things.

Anger.

Injustice, especially social and political injustice.

I'm very proud of my Working Class roots, and I feel there is a power-play in motion to create an old school Serving Class out of the Working Class, what with destroying the welfare state, empowering private landlords, and slashing education and NHS budgets.

My Daughter... her innocence, joy, and wicked sense of humour!

Nature, especially sea, sky, and hills.

Dark art: whether that be music, TV shows (like True Detective first series), films, books.

Comedy. Partridge, mainly.



12. Who would you pick to collaborate with for one track, if you could pick any artist?

Probably Immortal Technique.

He's an immense lyricist, emcee, and an important figure in that he is a rare combination of conscious and aggressive.

Too many liberals and left-wingers are passive these days.

Tech fights fire with fire.

It's the only way I know, too.



13. You have been working a lot with Remark. How much of an inspiration has he been?

Remark (or Ryman as I first heard of him) was one of my earliest emcee influences when I was a kid.

From the same town, and being energetic and aggressive on the mic, which was how I approached my vocals, he was a beacon of what I could do.

He was a validation for the way I naturally rapped (even from the very first time) and approached writing.

When I was a kid in '93 I drunkenly rapped at Remark and the rest of Deliverance in a club (before I'd ever been introduced to him) and he was really complimentary!

I then met him properly for the first time after he performed three years ago, we chatted, we Facebooked it, then he asked if I was still writing.

He liked what I'd penned, so he sent me a Merlin beat, and we tore it to shreds https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KeyvR-v2mHQ

Then Merlin sent me nine more beats, and I wrote and recorded 10 tracks in 12 weeks!

Remark has featured on another track 'Like Swords In Water' and recorded me for all the sessions.

He's also doing all my Music Videos with real passion and flair.

So, I owe Remark and Merlin everything, for their faith and belief in me.



14. I really want to give local/South Coast artists a voice. Do you think there is good support out there for newer artists coming up?

Thank you, man, that means a lot.

The truth is, I've no idea if there is good support out there.

I've only just come back from years out, and I've just been writing and recording in a bubble.

I hope there is!


15. Getting to where you are today. What has been you biggest struggle and you greatest achievement?


My biggest struggle was walking away years ago, when my crew disbanded, and I was then asked to do a solo track but 'tone it down a bit' to appear on a much-lauded label.

Fuck that.

I regret that sometimes, but never when sober!

My greatest achievement is now, and coming back with an album that is totally me.

I can't wait to unleash it.



16. Do you think that social media has its place in the way people can now connect. Especially for connecting with other artists, producers etc?


Absolutely.

It's way better than it was back in the day.

I'm sure I could find a negative in it if I searched for one, but I'm not going to!



17. What does your music say about you?

Everything.

It's the colours of my soul, the heights of my mind, and the depths of my loins.

You can listen to my music and know that it's me.

All my idiosyncrasies, obsessions, fears, loves, beliefs, and hopes are laid bare.

As they should be.

Sometimes you've just gotta scratch beneath the surface.

And once you've done that there should be something interesting, real, and engaging.

If not, then that artist just ain't worth bothering with!



18. Where do you think you would be if you had not taken the music route?


Prison.

Haha, not really!

I'd be a Dad, and working with improving and helping people, but my soul wouldn't feel as nourished as it does now.



19. Other than music, what else do you enjoy doing?


Being Dad, working out, immersing myself in the art of others, watching football (although that would come under art as well... The Working Class Ballet!)
Going out and socialising, and getting silly ...

20. What is next for Graphic Bars?

3rd Single 'Is There Enough' is being released along with the Music Video, and then dropping my album
'It Wasn't Love....It Was Sport Rapping' before the end of the summer, produced by the magnificent Merlin.



Graphic Bars, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions for me! I really appreciate it. Although, I don’t live in Southampton now, I still work there and have family there and really want to push some of the lesser know local, South Coast artists. Let me know if you would like me to do a review, it would be a pleasure to help get your music out there.
Thanks again, Steve.

No worries, Steve.


All the best

Graphic Bars 

Since we did this interview, which is based on a standard set of 20 questions, Graphics 3rd single is out and his Album is on the way. I am really looking forward to this one. The three singles all show a great diversity of flow and style, with lyrical content that is placed firmly in the now. 
Graphics lines hit you like a sledgehammer but, catch you on the way down to make sure you don't miss anything.

Don't take my word for it, check out his singles for yourself...

Check out the links below for everything you need to know, see and hear about Graphic Bars.

I'm Outta here.....

Graphic Bars Website

Graphic Bars on Bandcamp

Graphic Bars on YouTube

Graphic Bars on Facebook