SMACKTOWN – POWERLESS/CHELSEA GRIN

From the first ominous beats and aggressive vocals of Aussie hip-hop duo Smacktown’s EP Powerless/Chelsea Grin, there’s an ambience that refuses to comfort.

It boils the blood as it storms through the raucous opening track Fight and through the brooding grooves of Final Storm and Powerless to pick up the pace and smash the listener’s face in.

The contrasting vocal tones of N3 and Chico Cas Tha Chix make for an interesting texture. The addition of electronic effects create a dubstep-like sound, which seems to be sweeping through the world of hip hop, but here it brings a pulsing undertone that accentuates the aggressive nature of the record. (CD)

***1/2