Posted By Reverend Leviathan on Feb 4, 2017 | 1 comment

Band/Artist: Twiztid
Release House: Majik Ninja Entertainment
Genre: Horrorcore Rap
One Sentence Synopsis: The eleventh studio album of the horrorcore legends
Series: Standalone
Single/EP/Album: Album
Release Date: January 27, 2017
Running Time: 52 min
MSRP: $9.99
Discount Link: Click Here
Website: Click Here
Sample/Music Video: Click Here
Purchase Site: Click Here
Reviewed by: Reverend Leviathan
Final Score: 4 Moons (out of 5)

Wait, what?!  A horrorcore rap review in a Goth magazine?

Yeah well, horrorcore rap has been one of my loves for almost twenty years, and I think it would be somewhat dishonest of me to not review at least one album.  (Besides, my editor keeps reminding me that, even though we are all members of different scenes within this community, the Gothic subculture is larger than any individual scene, so there are a number of styles that we can logically explore as a magazine.)

As such, what better album to review than Twiztid’s latest release: The Continuous Evilution of Life’s ?’s (pronounced “life’s question marks”)?  I’ve run into quite a few other members of our community who are fans of them, as well.

This is the duo’s eleventh studio album to date, and their second studio album since leaving Psychopathic Records and beginning their own label, Majik Ninja Entertainment.

Theme

NOT AN ANIMATED PICTURE! Amazing body paint done by make-up/FX artist Kay Pike, who has worked with the likes of Marvel and Disney

Twiztid continues their dark brand of horrorcore rap with their new album.  One thing that really interested me is that the frontman of gutter goth rock band, Davey Suicide, along with the member Needlz, produced a few of the tracks.  Those produced by Seven have more of a hip-hop feel while the Davey Suicide tracks lean towards rock.  I think “Nothing to You” is one of the most rock-sounding tracks I’ve heard from them, ever.

Opening with “Barely Surviving (Ride or Die)” we hear about Juggalos being labeled a gang, and hatred being thrown to the group.  Having more of a hip-hop influence you then get smacked in the face with the hard-hitting track “Are You Insane Like Me,” which follows Twiztid’s form of “horror industrial rap.”  The two styles are intertwined throughout, with the lyrical themes filled with pain, frustration, depression, and of course the uncontrollable urge to “Kill Somebody.”

A very artistic and almost unnoticeable surprise is a hidden track (though it doesn’t appear at the end of the album).  The end of a Twiztid song called “How Does it Feel?” which appeared on their first album Mostasteless is revealed after almost twenty years!  I thought it sounded familiar and almost missed it myself!

Presentation

ALSO NOT AN ANIMATED PICTURE! More amazing body paint done by make-up/FX artist Kay Pike.

It could just be me, but it seems that since Twiztid has left Psychopathic they’re just sounding better and better!  I think having a lot more freedom and control over their music has enabled them to do things they haven’t done before.  I’ve always been impressed with Jamie and Monoxide’s rapping abilities, especially when it comes to fast raps.  (I tried rapping along with the first track and got tongue twisted.)  The album has a good sinister sound throughout, especially on the Davey Suicide produced tracks.  “Nothing To You” was just…wow.  They really know how to lace guitars to rap without it sounding like rapcore.  Jamie sounds really good singing on “1K Hells 2 Find My Heaven” and “I Got These Feelings.”  If I could change one thing I’d probably end the album with “Psychomania,” which features all of the artists on Majik Ninja Entertainment.

Gothic Fit

Though Goths may not be Juggalos I think we could definitely relate to the song “Barely Surviving (Ride or Die).”  Like Juggalos, we’re judged by appearance and people think we’re part of some Satanic “gang” that’s always up to no good.  We’ll walk into stores or out in public and get stares and ridicule.  The album has a lot of dark themes and goes deep into emotions that we may struggle with.  “I Got These Feelings” can sum up the feelings that we have all struggled with: “I got these feelings that I can do without in my life.  All the wrong I see what can I do to make it right?  I try and try but I just cannot seem to compromise so I get discouraged and all these feelings they multiply.”

Closing Thoughts

The Continuous Evilution of Life’s ?’s is an amazing testimony to Twiztid’s ability to continually evolve and offer their fans the same wickedness in an improved form!

Theme: 3.5 Moons (out of 5.0)
Presentation: 5.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Gothic Fit: 3.5 Moons (out of 5.0)
Final Score (not an average): 4.0 Moons (out of 5.0)