Army of the Pharaohs: Ritual of Battle

Jedi Mind Tricks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Babygrande Records
• ASIN: B000U1ZIRY
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,412 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Swords Drawn

2. Time To Rock

3. Dump the Clip

4. Black Christmas

5. Blue Steel

6. Gun Ballad

7. Strike Back

8. Frontline

9. Through Blood By Thunder

10. Murda Murda

11. Bloody Tears

12. Seven

13. Drama Theme

14. Pages In Blood

15. D And D

16. Don't Cry

Editorial Reviews

Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP) was initially conceived by lead emcee Vinnie Paz of the independent powerhouse group Jedi Mind Tricks. His vision was a constantly-evolving, collaboration of epic proportions that would include MC's, producers and DJ's. AOTP's first incarnation included Bahamadia, Jedi Mind Tricks, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric and Virtuoso and resulted in the wildly successful 12'' single, 'Five Perfect Exertions'. The response was beyond all expectations and fans worldwide have clamored for more material ever since. 2006 saw the long awaited debut The Torture Papers, which has scanned 20,000+ units to date. The supergroup's sophomore offering, Ritual of Battle, reunites the winning formula, once again featuring the legendary lineup of underground emcees/artists including Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks, Outerspace, Apathy, 7L & Esoteric, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, King Syze, Faez One as well as first time AOTP constituent (and renowned former Jedi Mind Tricks member) Jus Allah & many more. Of particular note (and to rabid core fan delight) is the inclusion of the first collaborative effort of original material between Jedi Mind Tricks' founding members Vinnie Paz & Jus Allah since 2000's Violent By Design. Ritual of Battle is released to heightened anticipation, shortly after Jedi Mind Tricks' return from a coveted slot on the entirety of the wildly popular Rock The Bells summer tour.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some people just don't get it, October 7, 2007

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Army of the Pharaohs: Ritual of Battle (Audio CD)

Basically what this album is is a revision of the Army of the Pharaohs, but not completely. It's not necessarily a bad thing whatsoever, because this album rivals The Torture Papers and in my opinion might even surpass it. The beats of this album are definitely better, there's no question there, but the members of the new AotP (namely just the newest additions) do not fully live up to what fans are used to. However, most of them have great potential and even have memorable lyrics of their own, "The other half originate from the best part, My right hook will leave your face covered with stretch marks. When the swellin' go down, I'm tellin' you clowns, My next step - is fillin' up ya' melon with rounds." - Doap Nixon. M.C.s such as Vinnie Paz, Jus Allah, Celph Titled, and Planetary complete this album and push it beyond the initial expectations I had when I heard that Apathy was not going to be on Ritual of Battle. Honestly that is the main thing I have a problem with, and it's not even something to worry about. The other acts carry their own and more, with the initial members of the super-group going steps further in their careers to stand out as veterans. I believe that some of the MC's are misunderstood, or perceived differently because AotP has this label on them that says they are so hardcore and violent. They are, and they're good at the lyrics they display if you're into that music, but listeners have to understand that not everything has to be taken so seriously. You can have hardcore lyrics and still have comedic value in them as well. "I can't see ya'll from where I'm at, I like the smell of napalm in the mornin' when I'm eatin' my Apple Jacks." - Celph Titled. It's true that Jus Allah changed his style, and this may disappoint some, but overall it still holds true to his nature with previous lyrics and displays a vast grasp of vocabulary. "Eloquent malevolence awakens your undeveloped intelligence." - Jus Allah. Vinnie Paz keeps his lyrics strong and his style completely hard, and his verses alone are worth the purchase of this album. "Respect a G, My clique clap at you incessently, I lay back and drink alcohol excessively. There ain't a rapper that's alive today that's testin' me." - Vinnie Paz. This album is definitely worth the money, so spend it and support the artists both old and new. You won't be disappointed, and this goes for even those 2-star reviews before me: Even if you feel a little cheated, go back and listen to it again because I guarantee your initial impressions have cheated you from good music.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the pharaohs are back, September 25, 2007

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Army of the Pharaohs: Ritual of Battle (Audio CD)

THE GODS ARE BACK TO BLESS THE MIC, AND THEY DO VERY WELL. THIS ALBUM IS EVEN BETTER THAN THE TORTURE PAPERS. VINNIE PAZ IS ON MORE SONGS AND HE TEAMS UP WITH A GOOD GROUP OF MC'S. ITS A MUST BUY ALBUM. GREAT PRODUCTION AND RAW HARCORE LYRICS.

4.0 out of 5 stars A step down from The Torture Papers, but still very good, April 13, 2010

By 

James C. Janssen "used meathook" (portland, or) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Army of the Pharaohs: Ritual of Battle (Audio CD)

Their 2nd album is very good in my opinion, but it takes a small step backwards from The Torture Papers. The new emcees really don't do much for me...and they certainly don't fill the void from the lack of Apathy on this release. Realistically, I think AOTP would be just fine with Vinnie Paz, Celph Titled (my personal favorite), Esoteric, Apathy, Planetary, and Reef the Lost Cause. Remember, it's quality over quantity...and sometimes I have trouble distinguishing who's who outside of the previously mentioned emcees. Oh, and why the hell does Jus Allah sound like a really bad Vinnie Paz knockoff???

Regardless of the faults, this is still a very solid album and worth a purchase. If anything, pick it up for the Celph Titled verses alone; that guy is an amazing (and funny) lyricist.

It's difficult to comment on the beats, but I'd say they're about as good as the first album. There's a nice variety to them, but a couple border on sounding a bit too "commercial" for my tastes (like something Dipset would use, for example). Overall, the entire package is well put together as far as beat selection goes.