Album Review (Manslaughter - Body Count)

Manslaughter - Body Count

Manslaughter Album cover (Not blurred)

 Manslaughter is the long awaited 5th album from American crossover thrash metal outfit Body Count. Body Count formed in LA in 1990 and have had a solid foothold since their controversial self-titled debut album. Body Count fuse Ice-T's gritty rap with the classic and powerful fretwork of Ernie C. Manslaughter was released under Sumerian Records on June 10th '14. 

 Notable tracks

 Talk Shit, Get Shot - Talk Shit, Get Shot is the first track and first single from the album. The track is a fitting first track as it sets the standard for the brutality of the rest of the album (give or take a few tracks). Talk Shit, Get Shot stands out particularly for its breakdown around the 2:30 mark which is aided by a long list of clever gun-related rhymes.

 Institutionalized 2014 - Institutionalized 2014 is a modern day re-imagining of Suicidal Tendencies' hit from '83. The track features updated lyrics that focus more on current social issues. Institutionalized 2014 maintains the album's direction and acts as a large selling point to older Thrash fans that may have forgotten about Body Count. The track overall is a polite nod to Thrash Metal as a genre overall.

 Pop Bubble - Pop Bubble is the next track on the album and features lyrics from Jamey Jasta; vocalist from Hatebreed and Kingdom of Sorrow. This track fits in well after Institutionalized as it furthers the focus on social issues. Ice-T's lyrics focus on pop culture and how popular music has lost it's meaning. Ernie C's guitar work on this track compliments both vocalists' style which leads to a memorable track.

 Black Voodoo Sex - Black Voodoo Sex is a clever nod to Body Count's track Voodoo from their self titled album. The track picks up where Voodoo left off and introduces a new character. Black Voodoo Sex is a return to a more classic Body Count style that focuses on imaginative story telling with music. Black Voodoo Sex draws the album to a close with a familiar sound.

 To summarize, Manslaughter isn't a bad album but a different album. Earlier Body Count work focused on social commentary and real problems which Manslaughter touches on here and their. Manslaughter replaces some of the social commentary with brutish and violent thrash tracks which adds to the album personality.

 For those that haven't seen it yet, here is the music video for Talk Shit, Get Shot.