It’s been a minute since I last reviewed a Penlordz project! If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have been knee-deep into my 10th project within two weeks by the guys! But now they come a lot less, which honestly gives me more time to appreciate them! So let’s talk about it!
Brand new EP by Pen Lordz member Audio Messiah, and it features five tracks and enough swagger to drown a country! Also featuring production by both Phurcat and Gneticz and This is one of the most atmospheric 15 minutes I’ve heard in a minute!
We have that intro track ‘You Lose’, which has a strong video game feel to it (sonically and lyrically), reminding me of a SNES game soundtrack with those bubbling chords and heavy drums! You’ve also got what sounds like a game character cackling in the background like a creature laughing at you after you lose a level!
On the second track ‘Metal Gear’, we have a more serious tone and a more methodical pacing, with the song opening with these intricate keys that form into a more hip-hop-heavy track with some more heavy drums and this deep chord hitting every five seconds, giving a more haunting effect! As the song name suggests, this is definitely more relevant to ‘Metal Gear’ than a classic kids’ game!
On track three, we have what seems to be a return to the more dramatic sounds and animated themes! This beat has these orchestral chords in a sharp repeat loop that makes you feel like you’re listening to the soundtrack of an old-school Godzilla movie!
This track also has hypnotic drum beats and intricate bass! This is definitely a B-side, cheesy action movie score, and I love every second of it!
On track four, we have what very well could be the most surreal track on the whole EP. With that heavy orchestral intro alone, it gives goosebumps! But as the track evolves, we go into this eerie, haunting experience coated with hits of bells and plucked bass strings! This sounds like Batman walking into Dracula’s castle! Dark vibes everywhere, and yet it’s a track I can’t get out of my head!
On the final track, we have a jazz/western vibe track to bring it all together. That intro reminds me of a spaghetti western film by Clint Eastwood that slowly transitions into this funky old-school rock and roll track from the 60s. You’ve got those sticky strings and drums that bang in your brain long after the track is gone!
Definitely the perfect track to end the EP with!
As far as the MC work goes, I mean, it’s Penlordz. They aren’t called that for nothing. They are literally the lords of pen, and they showcase it strongly on this one!
They continue their evolution of charisma and heavy personality by flooding the songs with fun and intense adlibs, sound effects, and off-the-top sounds to bring the aura of the album to a 10! I love the fact that depending on the track, they will change their tone and style up to match the energy of said song!
Since there are five on here, they show five various versions of their techniques, and it’s amazing to witness.
Sharpness in spades, lyricism for days, and such exquisite flow that it puts everyone else to shame!
I also love just how natural they sound on the beats. I mean, at no point did they sound awkward or weird, but after releasing so much quality music, you can hear it in their voices, the level of confidence, the levelling up of their own pen games and wordplay! The fact that they can hop on anyone else’s tracks and kill it with ease!
This EP was absolutely banging! From start to finish. We got a variety of instrumentals and themes and interesting and refreshing verses to match! Penlordz are as strong as they’ve ever been!
https://open.spotify.com/album/2IIfykfzbVaJ40oNfiTe0a?si=VgSh3mh9S0aH4C_KYpePtg
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