Published April 3, 2009
Since forming in 1997, Dälek has mixed traditional hip-hop with drone and rock elements, gaining attention from audiences far beyond the genre’s usual borders. Since 2002, they have been signed to Mike Patton’s extravagant label IPECAC.
Dälek did not change their music very much for the new album. They still produce a sinister and unique hip-hop sound, in which massive beats and noisy sampling is dominating and led by MC Dälek’s insisting and sharp rap. While not very musically surprising, “Gutter Tactics” is an intriguing record when its lyrics and political context are taken into consideration. The lyrics deal with racism and the ingenuity of the social phenomenon called ‘Obamania’ in relation to persisting war and violence worldwide and the unbroken participation of the US.
That is why this album is outstanding. “Gutter Tactics” brings hip-hop back to the civil rights movement, after it has been ruled by dull pimps and gangsters for too long.
Dälek did not change their music very much for the new album. They still produce a sinister and unique hip-hop sound, in which massive beats and noisy sampling is dominating and led by MC Dälek’s insisting and sharp rap. While not very musically surprising, “Gutter Tactics” is an intriguing record when its lyrics and political context are taken into consideration. The lyrics deal with racism and the ingenuity of the social phenomenon called ‘Obamania’ in relation to persisting war and violence worldwide and the unbroken participation of the US.
That is why this album is outstanding. “Gutter Tactics” brings hip-hop back to the civil rights movement, after it has been ruled by dull pimps and gangsters for too long.
- The Verdict: Sinister, political hip-hop
- Listen: www.myspace.com/dalek
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