Cataclizmic Records have accomplished a lofty goal by assembling a disc like this, which is focused solely on the crossover scene and yet still actually offers up a fresh and open minded perspective. Too many times a compilation disc is scattered or narrow minded, yet it seems that all aspects of the current underground rapcore scene are covered here. With the radio friendly hooks of SEV's "Same Old Song" and the electronic stomp of Grand Buffet's Kottonmouth Kings sounding "Shit Eaters" to the funk drenched contributions by Shudderbug and J-Base and the down home Kid Rock styled delivery of Mike Ill, all corners of the genre feel firmly covered. Overall, there's quite a few positive aspects to this CD, it's readiness to include groups from coast to coast and everywhere in between, as well as the fact that a good portion of the material included is previously unreleased and only available commercially on this compilation, easily edge it above the other independently put out discs which try to capture the essence of the scene. But when you also consider the sheer multitude of tracks here for the listener to take in, its definitely a worthy buy for those interested in this brand of music. From the enjoyable heady rapcore sounds of 8 Degrees to the obscure gritty cover of A Tribe Called Quest's "Buggin' Out" done by Witches Brew, there's a lot to take in and digest, and although this isn't exactly the most amazing album ever put out, it still manages to serve as a solid reference point of what is going on in the state of rap meets metal in 2000. Unfortunately, there's always the fact that this disc may have missed its prime era, with once loyal listeners now leaving the genre by the truckload, the future of rapmetal doesn't exactly look bright, but for what its worth if some of the dosages of the rapcore included on this 20 track compilation had been injected into the industry a year or two prior, perhaps the scene wouldn't have suffered the fallout and monotony it did from the stereotypical groups who butchered a once burgeoning sound.
(3.5 / 5)