Hed PE – (Hed) PE

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1. P.O.S

This one this surf like summer feel which descends into a punk rock chorus. Adrenalin rush of a track. There are amazing effects towards the end of this with the vocal glitching out as well as cut up loops and shredded guitar noise. The guitar tones are even reminscent of Sonic Youth but with rapping and electronics. Amazing opener. Let’s hope the album keeps it up.

2. Ground

Most hilarious line on the album so far:

With both of us on the backseat, who the fuck is driving?

Very similar style but this has to be one of the most effective mixes of the rap/rock I’ve ever heard. They just get all the elements right on this with these heavy choruses, bonkers effects and gonzo sense of humour.

3. Self-titled
A much longer track, started with an avant garde instrumental intro before breaking into the song proper (like a lot of nu-metal tracks. Probably the most conventional track and riff so far, and when the hook is the line take a look around I cant help but get mental images of Fred Durst. But the beats on this thing are really powerful and hard and it has these bright blaring synths. The vocal manipulations on this are so much fun too.

take a look aroun roun roun roun roun rounddddd.

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4.Firsty
Wooshy space sounds kick this thing off and it’s a short aggro rocker.

Did you think I’d give a fuck?

It has this wicky wacky scratch breakdown which a common tool used in nu-metal songs but always fun.

You must be confused if you think I give a fuck.

5.  Tired of Sleep
The beat on this one has a really jazzy bass line driving it, in fact it almost reminds me of excursion by tribe called quest if you can forgive me for such a lofty comparison.

A more laid back track and the chorus has this weird distortion effect on the guitar that’s super grimey, but the best thing about this is just how layered this mix is This track has harps, pianos, atmospherics just a lot of colourful instrumentation.

6. Darky
Word to Aristotle my nature’s not to hate ya!

This is an anti-racist song. The guitar is ultra well proced on this thing, has this clunky, crunchy blast of sound to it. The hip hop is at the forefront of their sound and probably their strong point but the metal is near equally effective and powerful. The dynamic interplay between the genres put a lot of nu-metal to shame, and this was back in 1997.

7. Schpamb
The intro has this blues riff, and the track is more of a straight up punk rock song. They’re good at these too but much better and more interesting with their hip hop sound. Ends with hellish vocal shreds!

8. Ken 2012
It feels awkward listening to old songs when 2012 was like some futuristic time to them. Another jazzier number, it has this buzzy synth line that almost sounds like a wasp buzzing around.

I’m getting Chuck D influences on the loud, shouty rap style. This track has all the elements working perfectly together, a great hook, weird effects and electronic instrumentation and some surprisingly good rapping. The band love doing this glitchy vocal effects that loop into the guitar riffs adding great textures.

9. Circus
Time To play!

but aside from the hopeful fun in the lyrics this is the least musically interesting one so far.10. 33 More intricate guitar work on this but another weaker one. I feel like they didn’t put the same level of design into some of these second half tracks.

11.Hill
Another track with a laid back jazzy guitar driving the verses and the chorus is one of the most soaring and powerful on the album. The riff is not your typical idiotic nu-metal riff, it’s actually wonky and awkwarrd but somehow works. Very loud, lots of screaming. Best rocker so far.

12. IFO
Back to the hip hop which took a backseat for the latter part of this LP. Has a futuristic sound and come to think of that this album has aged really well considering.

13. Bitches Tits and Bong hits
Really lame title bad not a bad track.

People changing lives are destroyed , we will never walk again never again will we share the days again, my sweet friend.

Was not expecting THAT. The song is a bit overly loungey on this one, very surf music influenced. Works as a comedown from the rest of this LP.

The best parts of this album are some of the best nu-metal I”ve ever heard. The rapping is of a much higher quality than a lot of nu-metal, especially Limp Bizkit. And the production is really heavy and powerful. I love all the effects scattered across this album and the hip hop beats have some enjoyable jazzy grooves. The album is let down by a couple of lazy songs and filler in the middle section.

4 bong hits out of 5!

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