For the past twenty years, in the world known as hip-hop - which surfaces the radio-waves and the populous abroad - few artists have made immediate impressions. But those who do are celebrated in a manner far different than the seemingly infinite amount of other hip-hop artists out today. One such group, comprised of nine members (and many more associated), was the infamous Wu-Tang Clan. Upon their emergence in 1994, Wu-Tang made an instant and enormous impact.

Never before had such a large group of rappers brought such a unique blend of Staten Island and the other boroughs of New York rap into one centerpiece, and, to our ears delight, made it work viciously. Fast-forward over a decade later and down I-95 South to Philadelphia; and behold Army Of The Pharaohs, an even larger ensemble of rappers, boasting fifteen members and a style eerily similar to that of the Wu-Tang Clan - albeit minus the kung-fu. Their second effort, Ritual Of Battle hits on everything from the trivial violence of the streets to a political forum of religion questioned.

The lead single, “Bloody Tears,” rages with a fury of hard hitting drums, turn table scratches, a piano sequence and violin as Vinnie Paz, founder and leader of AOTP, takes center stage. At one point in his verse, Paz even takes shots at Kanye West, while dropping many more lyrical bombs over the rest of the instrumental.

Most AOTP members are lyrically well schooled, yet at times the overly-aggressive lyrics make the album a tad bit repetitive. Still, the production and certain members (such as West Philly’s Reef The Lost Cauze) shine wonderfully over tracks such as the deviant “Seven” - which in my estimates is by far the strongest song on the album. “Seven” features the rough hearted Chief Kamachi, newcomer Doap Nixon, Reef, and a few others who provide fierce but intellectual raps for this quality piece. “Pages of Blood” features the hardest hitter of them all, filled with talk box guitar and a drilling chorus.

The collection of tracks on Ritual Of Battle presents a look into the lives of the rappers who appear on the album. After each listen, it leaves you with an almost morbid feeling that would make the mainstream rappers run for the hills. Each member contributes his own style of flow; but at times the difference of styles clash...as the album lacks that chemistry a Wu-Tang or Bone Thugs N Harmony provided. The direction of certain songs takes a twisting path, where it seems each member is out striding for their own purpose rather than the group’s and title of said track.

Granted, AOTP is an underground project, so if that’s your niche, this album is sure to be in your collection. Expect gritty beats, topped with extremely in-your-face vocals and lyrics.

3 cheap shots out of 5 for the Philly-based Underground Group.
Stand Out Tracks:
"Seven"
"Pages Of Blood"
"Gun Ballad"

Visit Army of the Pharaohs on the web at http://www.aotphiphop.com/.