Body Count is a band that has been pushing boundaries since their 1991 self-titled album and the attention-grabbing track ‘Cop Killer’ hitting the speakers.
Having been inspired by Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies, before Rage Against The Machine and Limp Bizkit, the project between Ice-T and Ernie C has been blending that OG Rap with Hardcore and Metal – however this is not Rap-Rock, this is more.
Now the Grammy outfit is back with the follow-up to Carnivore and are equally as set on putting their feelings and viewpoints across to the world, in their direct and sometimes provocative manner, with this 12-track, 41-minute offering.
Opening with ‘Interrogation’ we find Ice-T describing what he may deal with in Law and Order, some of the most heinous crimes going – before ‘Merciless’ lands with a slap enough power to let you know just how hard this album is going to hit.
Lyrics highlighting racist cops amongst other things is the warning that Body Count are ‘Merciless’ and will be pulling no punches. Heading straight from this warning into ‘Purge’ that follows a similar thread as the films of the same name, combining Hardcore elements with Thrash oh, and by the way includes George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher from Cannibal Corpse and its ace!
‘Fuck What You Heard’ draws the similarities between some of the best-known gangs and the two political groups in America. Just after an election as well, quite topical and very provocative – just how Body Count likes it.
As the album progresses, you will hear the band’s cover of ‘Comfortably Numb’ by Pink Floyd, no Ice-T does not sing it all, there are Body Cout lyrics with the song intertwined and in a weird way it works. I was sceptical, but it really does.
The album, on the whole, is very fast-paced, very New York Hardcore style, abrasive and no fucks and cutting to the chase, this could be up there with the best that the band have produced.
Body Count has harnessed a core following and its fair to say that all those fans will be throwing down to Merciless and I have no doubt that new fans will be swept up in the carnage that will follow this album around, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Merciless is an album I can listen to over and over and is easily one of the best albums of 2024.
Merciless will be released on 22nd November 2024.
Review: Ed Ford
Tracklist
1. Interrogation
2. Merciless
3. Purge
4. Psychopath
5. Fuck What You Heard
6. Live Forever
7. Do Or Die
8. Comfortably Numb
9. Lying Motherfuka
10. Drugs Lords
11. World War
12. Mic Contract
Band Members:
Ice-T – vocals
Ernie C – guitars
Juan Garcia – guitars
Sean E. Sean – samples
Vincent Price – bass
Will Dorsey – drums
Little Ice – backing vocals
Online
https://www.facebook.com/bodycountofficial
https://twitter.com/bodycountband?lang=en