Customer Reviews

Army of the Pharaohs: Ritual of Battle

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This supergroup brings it on this cd. It has powerful rhymes over some of the illest beats I've ever heard.

The cd is awesome. the torture papers was an awesome album and this album is a great follow up

This album is one of the best supergroup albums ever. The first track I heard was seven and right away I was going to get the album, so I got it and it doesn't dissapoint. If you like the first album you'll probably like this better. some highlights of the cd are dump the clip, seven, frontline, and the through blood by thunder song, all songs on this are bangers though except maybe the one with the nas sample on the hook.

Despite Jus Allah's terrible flows and the lack of Apathy I still give this album a 5 compared to the other corporate garbage out there. Every track with Planetary is ridiculous. Few people will appreciate this music however. I live in an isolated area where I can bump this stuff extremely LOUD. This is the only way to listen to AOTP. It's just a shame so many don't appreciate their lyricism. If Celph Titled weren't a rapper he be a great stand up comic. Celph was involved in more of the production and that DJ Qwestion's beats are heaters. I enjoy the beats from Ritual a lot more than Torture Papers. My only disappointment with the Pharaohs is that they're so underground it's hard to find info on tours etc. After hearing All Fates Have Changed by Jus Allah I expected a lot more from him on Ritual. His solo album has more than a few good tracks maybe he's just a better solo artist. IMO Planetary and King Syze have the best flow.
Standout tracks 1, 4, 11-14.

Ritual of Battle is a doap follow up to the 1st AOTP album. Newcomers Doap Nixon, Demoz, and Jus Allah (former JMT), etc. add to an already good nucleus. I am biased towards Doap Nix, he's my homie from Philly...he's a sick MC and look out for his solo jawn to be droppin' soon...called 'Sour Diesel.' It's all knowledge-knowledge!!! One

I bought this album because I am a fan of JMT, Celph Titled and 7L and Esoteric. What I found on this album is one of the best compilations I've ever heard. The tracks are masterfully produced and the lyrics are tight. Celph Titled pretty much takes over this album with fantastic verses from start to finish.

Only one reason this album is not a 5: Jus Allah. I can't begin to describe my disappointment with him on this album. His rhymes and flow are both rudimentary in the few tracks he's on. In fact, one of the tracks only gets play from me because Celph has a sick verse after Jus Allah takes a giant dump. Takes Jus Allah out of this album, and it becomes a 5 Star Classic.

i know some people were not happy with this release and i can understand why i mean for one apathy is not even on it and esoteric has like one appearance and jus allah changed his flow but he still raps with impressive intellegence in his flow because after all you can change how you rap but not who you are. Vinnie and celph come hard on this album goddamn unbelievable those dudes is hungry the new dudes daop nixion and demoz definitely kept up to these boys does not have your typical underground flow kind of a swagger but lyrics dope outerspace members plan and crypt just keep improvin spittin dope king syze only has one appearance. The beats are just plain sick ill bill produced the illest beat and best song on the album des devious is only in one or 2 tracks as well but the one who impressed me the most on this had to be chief kamachi my god he just came dope on this you can tell he was waiting to be asked to do this and comparing it to torture papers is difficult there very different but dope in there own ways i give this cd a solid 4 outta 5 and ill by any album they release period and i just hope there able to put all the artsist equally in the album demoz rapped the most next to vinnie n celph but i think he might hav an album out ill cop yes i loved it lookijn out for any other release from these boys buy it