Customer Reviews

Hour of Reprisal

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

 

 

"Imagine you were given one hour, exactly sixty minutes and zero seconds to put your entire life and the world around you in total perspective. What would you say? What would it sound like?"

These questions are asked in the beginning 15 seconds of the album followed by Ill Bill using the remaining 59 minutes and 45 seconds to answer, and the dude (as usual) doesn't hold back anything.

Alright, if you're not into topics like conspiracy theories, violence, drug tales, alien cover-ups, warped doomsday prophecies ect. ect. then you'll probably want to avoid this album but if you're like me and find these kind of subjects interesting when done properly then you may want to consider picking this one up because this guy is unmatched in blending all that stuff together in a convincing, and compelling fashion. The opening track Babylon starts off a little slow with the intro I mentioned in the beginning of my review followed by haunting chanting for a long drawn out minute, but when the song kicks off and Bill explodes into a deranged, sharply written verse you start to get a good picture in your mind of what you've got coming. The next track that really jumped out to me next was the metal guitar laced, Ill Bill produced Trust Nobody which is more of the hardcore, doomsday fight music we've come to expect from Billy Ocean, one of the best metal infused rap songs I've personally ever heard. Next standout is A Bullet Never Lies Feat. Vinnie Paz, the beat is gutter, and Bill's verse was heat, but as with nearly every guest appearance on this album I felt Paz wasn't necessary. He certainly didn't bring anything you've never heard him do before. Matter of fact he sharply growls at us blatantly alerting the listener to how he's reminding us of other things he's said in other rhymes. It would have been a perfect song if Bill would have cut Paz' verse and replaced it with anything else. I normally like Vinnie Paz actually, just not so much outside of JMT projects. White N----r was alright and the Dragon Force sample was pretty sick, but it's already feeling like a novelty joint to me, yet I can easily see how legions of suburban e-thugs will use it as their anthems and point to it as their song they identify with most. My other two favorite cuts on this album are Too Young which has the best beat and a really great verse from Bill. The 1st guy on the cut named Hero who I think also sings the chorus wasn't too impressive with his cliche' yae yo rap, and the final verse from Slaine seemed like a lazy Eminem impression. The other standout for me was the one with the only guest appearance on level with Bill and that song is Coka Moshiach feat the legendary Raekwon. I'm not going into details on the verses, listen for yourself and judge, but the beat is pure fire. They couldn't have picked a better one for that team up.

Other cuts on this album that are bangers that I didn't mention include:

My Uncle (ode to the infamous Uncle Howie)
Riya (song he wrote for his new born daughter)
Society Is Brainwashed (dope Primo beat, with some of Bill's best verses to date)
Pain Gang (I didn't care for the chorus, but the beat and verses were fire)
The Most Dangerous Weapon Alive
Doomsday Was Written in an Alien Bible


The rest of the album is really great too. The only 3 songs I've really skipped are U.B.S. (The Unauthorized Biography of Slayer), War is my Destiny (Immortal Tech's verse was okay, but the heavy metal screamer on the chorus sounds mad corny) and Only Time Will Tell. Those songs weren't terrible, but they felt out of place on this album (specifically Only Time). So this album isn't perfect, and some will find the heavy metal singing on a couple of chorus' over-the-top, silly, corny, or a combo of all, but I still feel comfortable giving this 5 stars. The great moments of this album by far outshine the faults. This is already on the bottom half of my personal top 10 favorite albums of 2008. If you loved The future is Now and haven't picked this up yet you're doing yourself a disservice by sleeping on this.

I love what Bill does with this album. He uses his connections in hip-hop from his already 15 year career and gets production and verses from some of this best in the game (similar to Non-Phixion's debut in '02). DJ Muggs and DJ Premier both drop some sick beats and the guest verses from Immortal Technique, Raekwon, Vinnie Paz, and Tech N9ne are all on point. But besides the work other artists put in, ya gotta remember Bill's the star of this Power Hour (the album is roughly 60 minutes as well) and he definitely shines. The concepts on this album are all razor sharp. The album starts with a hook from Killswitch Engage's lead singer, Howard Jones and the song sets the tone for the album very well, raw rhymes over dope production all infused with a heavy metal mentality. The deepest song on the album, "My Uncle," gives a real and powerful summary of this crazy man, Uncle Howie, that long-time fans of Necro and Ill Bill know all about. Instead of only glorifying his uncle's antics, Bill gives some real perspective about the man and how important he was, and still is, in his everyday life. A lot of the "conspiracy theory" raps missing from Bill's debut are back in full strength on this album. The Premo produced "Society is Brainwashed" is one of the hottest songs on this album and gives a great overview of Bill's opinions about the "programming" Americans go through. Every song goes hard, and Bill shows you into his reality with each verse. "White N****r" is another powerful song about Bill's own experience with race relations and how he's always been labeled and criticized by his enemies and peers due his own skintone and inclination towards black/hip-hop culture.

All in all, i feel as if Bill's really dropped some major heat on this album and truly shows his talent over nearly every track. There are a few missteps, production-wise, when Bill decides to helm the boards. A few of his beats feel a little simplistic and show a lack of flair. Some concepts also sound pretty reused and like "been there, done that" territory for Bill. But, for the most part, Bill brings the illness and something fresh to this album and it really works.

4 1/2 stars. Highly recommended...

I admit, its been quite a wait for this album that my expectations were unattainably high. Upon first listen, I was upset. But after a couple of thorough listens, this album has grown on me and I have changed my view on it.

The beats are great. Although I miss the days of dark-piano/violin laced neck snappers from Necro, most of the various beats on this album are just as good. Some of the beats (#3, #15-by Necro?) fall flat and are neither here nor there. A couple of tracks (#3, #9) are sound-bite heavy and amateurish.

The stand-out track has to be Riya, with very impressive production from Ill Bill and chorus help from the legendary Darryl Jenifer from Bad Brains. (Ill Bill rapping all the way through the hook gets tiring) This is a perfect example of when the musician Ill BILL separates himself from the rapper Ill Bill and creates something truly heartfelt and genre transcending. It gives you a glimpse of the universal appeal that the musician Ill Bill can deliver when he puts down the "drugs and guns" shtick for just a moment.

But don't get it twisted, the "real" ILL BILL is all over this album, selling coke, toting guns, comparing his group, LCN, to the likes of the Mexican Mafia, Bloods and Crips, the Italian Mafia, Hamas...etc

Wait wait, let me finish...
The genius of Ill Bill is his role as this walking contradiction that is reminiscent to Travis Bickle of Taxi Driver. One minute he disavows any religious beliefs the next minute he's thanking God. One minute he cites his Grandmother-a Holocaust Survivor- as inspiration, the next minute he is glorifying a song that starts off "Auschwitz-the meaning of pain-the way that I want you to die." (AoD by Slayer) One minute he'll be shaking your hand, the next minute he'll be bashing your face in.

This dynamic is nothing short of brilliant because this is literally an hour of reprisal, where ideas and thoughts are supposed to clash. It works on all levels, no matter where you're coming from- however you want to interpret it. This is a solid album from start to finish that both the casual and the advanced listener can appreciate.

other 10/10 songs: Babylon, White Ngr, Coka Moshiach,This is who I am, Only Time Will Tell.

The New York artists latest release, "The Hour of Reprisal" is a good album. Ill Bill follows the New York rap tradition of consontrateing on lyrics. Great songs on this album are, "War is My Destiny", "My Uncle", and "Too Young". One of Ill Bill's most interesting subjects is his Uncle Howie's addiction to illicit drugs. Howie himself is interviewed through-out the album about his addiction which then adds even more to the album. There are also some good features on the album such as Everlast, B-Real, and Tech N9ne. The album's also a very good deal because a live performance from Ill Bill is included on a DVD. The DVD it'self is okay but the album over all is good. If one enjoys Lyrics as much as they do beats this is a good album for both.

Ill Bill is one of my favorites and he NEVER disappoints. This album is no exception. Dope all the way through. Directions: Purchase, Listen, Enjoy.

As always Ill Bill is on point with a few other spitters. Great follow up to What's Wrong with Bill, while not too close the more metal LKN stuff he's been on.

Ill Bill produced a bunch of tracks on here and it is obvious he's been putting in some work.

The only thing to be said for this album that isn't positive is Necro's production may be starting to stagnate. The few Necro beats on here, as soon as they start you can think "Oh, a Necro beat." By no measure a bad thing, but his beats on here just have the same feel as they did with Gory Days. Necro's work around the scene had progressed noticeably even on the Sexorist so perhaps it was a concise choice to bring back some of some hard hitting NY Gory Days style beats.

Visits by DJ Eclipse and Vinny Paz don't let you forget about Non-Phixion. Would have loved to see Sabac on here, aside from one tape haven't heard too much from him since he made the trip west but listening to the album you know it's an Ill Bill album, Non Phixion ain't coming back. DJ Muggs holds it down on a few tracks, definitely someone I'll be looking for more from.

Bill does it again, with his second full-length album,"The Hour of Reprisal".One full hour of tight beats, ill lyrics,and a variety of surprising guest appearances,like Darryl Jennifer,of the classic hardcore band,"Bad Brains",Raekwon the chef" from the "Wu Tang Clan",and also a unbelievably, raw collaboration between Bill,Max Cavalera, from the heavy metal band "Sepultura",and "Immortal Technique",who spits the illest verse from any guest on the entire album,in my opinion.Not the usual lineup for a hip-hop record,but that's what makes the album work. The standout song to me is the "DJ Premier" produced, "Society is Brainwashed".Bill spits at the top of his game,about the corruption of our government,and the effects that it has had on our society,as a whole.Another standout track is also "White N*@#?r".A bit controversial,but once you listen to the track, you understand where Bill is coming from,and it allows the listener the opportunity to delve a little into his past. It is both powerful,and incitful,and in my opinion,an anti-racist song,if you listen closely to the lyrics."Too Young",is another solid track with ,"Slaine',a member of his crew,"La Coka Nostra",and a talented,unknown rapper,named "HERO".All three emcees rap about the consequences of growing up too fast,whether it's through their own experiences with either drugs,or crime.It serves as a warning of what can happen to you in the game,without coming off too preachy,as too many artists nowadays do.If you enjoy Ill Bill's previous work with La Coka Nostra,and his debut release,"What's Wrong With Bill",another classic.In my opinion,the best album to come out in 2008.You could tell that Bill really took his time,with both the production and the song concepts on this album.It's worth every penny,and get's constant rotation,both in my home,and in my car,as well.Also,check out the debut album from "La Coka Nostra',entitled,"A Brand You Can Trust",which features all the core members of La Coka,such as Slaine,Bill,DJ Lethal,and Danny Boy O'Connor,from "House of Pain".You won't be disappointed.The title of the album says it all.And as for "The Hour of Reprisal",cop it now!It's a must have for any true hip-hop head,like myself.

great collection of beats and lyrics. i never heard of ill bill but he's got real talent and some real respected artists make appearances on this album

ill bill the cult leader , one of the greatest rap albums ever made, ill bill is above most , every track on this album has a meaning, dont sleep on this cd get it now

I can tell you this.I first heard of Bill when I started listening to Necro in 2002.I loved every Non-Phixon album, Bill's first solo and all of his Ill Bill is the Future albums, and Black Metal.I think this is his best work.His beats are 100 times better than his earlier stuff.I never was really a fan of some of his beats.Bill just goes off on the album from the first to last song every song is tight.My favorites are Trust Nobody,A Bullet Never Lies,White N****r,Riva,My Uncle, and my favorite track is Too Young.Hero and Slaine kill there verses on this track.If you been living under a rock for forever go outside and pick this cd.Now just waiting for La Coka Nostra to drop.Also going to go see Bill in concert in like 10 days can't wait.