Review: "Servants in Heaven, Kingdoms in Hell" - Jedi Mind Tricks

"Servants in Heaven, Kingdoms in Hell" Jedi Mind Tricks (4.5 out of 5) Jedi Mind Tricks is an underground "horrorcore" group which offers clever lyrics and very well-constructed backdrops for each song's tale. The only mind trick this group has played has been not being more noticed and critically acclaimed in hip hop circles. Horrorcore is a part of rap that began many years ago and was labeled a gimmick and failing fad by many. It involves a more dark nature of tracks, discussing death, war, and other grim topics. Groups like Gravediggaz pulled it off well with their debut "Six Feet Under". Jedi Mind Tricks are not a group a lot know unless they listen to underground style rap. This certainly isn't your "MTV/TRL" type of group. On this album, the topics are very dark, hence the horrorcore. Most of the titles will say enough about this; "A Blood Red Path", "Serenity in Murder" and "Razorblade Salvation" should say enough. But don't let this fool you into thinking this is a "kill kill kill" murder rap group. Their lyrics are smart, on point and contain well thought metaphors.."falling like Owen Hart" or "grab the gun and point guard like Brevin Knight". The scenic backdrops for their various tracks are beats which include symphony style orchestras, choral singing and strings and pianos, and may remind you of Castlevania taken to a higher level. These are some of the better beats I've heard on a rap album this year, since Lupe Fiasco's "Food & Liquor". A standout cut for me has been "Outlive the War" which features Boot Camp Clik's Sean Price. The beat for this song is insane, as they rap over what sounds like an old school children's movie chorus but still manage to make a dark track through the lyrical content. "Black Winter Day" and "Razorblade Salvation" also have similar sped up choruses over amazingly hypnotic beats. If you haven't heard of this group, they are definitely worth checking out. Some may not agree with their style of horrorcore, but its hard to argue that these beats and lyrics are not amongst the most solid of the year.