Rebellion represents many things. Upheaval. A paradigm shift. Change. It comes in a variety of forms, via the ballot or the bullet, or perhaps a very good idea. One thing that isn’t normally synonymous with rebellion is game. It’s never fun, it’s generally hard work, and it’s usually the result of an inordinate amount of perseverance. The group Game Rebellion has encountered all of the above. They have been seriously grinding on the underground circuit including their criminally slept on mixtape Searching For Rick Ruben from 2007. On the precipice of 2010 we find them winding up again this time with an EP set for release on January 18, 2010 entitled Sounds Like A Riot. Planet Ill was on hand for the listening event courtesy of the good folks at Tygerye PR. This is what we heard.
The “Intro” was fairly robotic with distortion and ambient chaotic sounds conveying a dystopic tone. The tape immediately segues into lead single “Blind.” The track is very drum heavy with a heavy metal guitar interspersed with shot gun sound effect and dithering distortion. The vocals are delivered in a muffled echo (on purpose). Definitely closer to rock genetically than Hip-Hop.
“2012” is, you guessed it, an apocalyptic cryptic joint that allows for the lead vocal to take you down the path of despair before the guitars come in heavy for the refrain. The drum patterns are similar to the Devante/Timbo drums of the mid to late 90s with a slow, deliberate time patterned cadence for the main verse. Think “Going Back To Cali”… with a grenade launcher. The deliberate simmer juxtaposed against the chaotic refrain as the calm before the storm delivers a trance-like walk to the end of the world.
From there we go to much lighter fare with “Dance Girl.” The song features a thumping beat with fluid guitars, much less husky than the metal earlier on the album. Typical rapping to hot girl stuff but much more seedy.
“Blood” brings a return to the distorted, synthy sound, complete with rock drums played like 808s. The music is a bit loud for the delivery of the lyrics. The second half of the song ends up like a Miami bass meets rock/ rave. The fusion doesn’t sound awkward sonically but again if you are a lyric head you’ll be hard-pressed to get what you want as the words are barely audible above the drums.
“Backdown” is probably the closest to conventional Hip-Hop you get with the lyrics playing a more important role. Lyrics like “I’m a soldier you’re a vulture” project a combative tenor, true to the group’s name of rebellion as there is an overall fearlessness in delivery. The three verses pack the punch of anarchy and a refusal to retreat with a refrain of “Im not ready to back down I’m still mad as hell and I ain’t got time to go round and round.” Indeed. The EP closes out with “Rebel,” another song that allows the lead vocals more space in construction.
With the themes and content of a group like Game Rebellion, the ability to be heard phonically is perhaps more important than sonically as their lyrics is what will separate them from every other angry group with guitars and drums. While not as breathtaking as Searching, Sounds Like A Riot is enough to whet your appetite for the impending revolution. It may not be televised, but it will be available on iTunes, CD, and in a mosh pit near you.
out of 5
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