Initiated in 1998 by Jedi Mind Tricks front-man Vinnie Paz as homage to the incredible rap crews of the 80’s and early 90’s, the Army of the Pharaohs has, from its outset, been an ever-evolving collective of celebrated emcees from the indie hip-hop scene. Founding members Vinnie Paz and Esoteric were featured on the crew’s original 12-inch single, “Five Perfect Exertions,” in 1998 and remain with the crew today. With the release of their debut studio album, The Torture Papers in 2006, the Pharaoh clique expanded to include accomplished solo emcees Apathy, Celph Titled, King Syze, Reef the Lost Cauze, and the Philly hip-hop duo and frequent Jedi Mind Tricks collaborators Outerspace.

In its nearly two decades, AOTP has released three studio albums alongside countless solo albums and side projects from its lineup of emcees that have been some of the most critically-acclaimed and best-selling indie hip hop records of the past 20-years. With the release of their newest effort, In Death Reborn, the Army returns after a four-year hiatus to release its fourth group album featuring the lead single/video for “God Particle” featuring Vinnie Paz, Planetary, Esoteric, Apathy & Celph Titled and produced by Stu Bangas. The album also features appearances by Blacastan, Zilla, Block McCloud, Demoz, Doap Nixon & King Magnetic.

Army of the Pharaohs In Death Reborn is in stores today. Stream the entire album below.

In its nearly two decades, AOTP has released three studio albums alongside countless solo albums and side projects from its lineup of emcees that have been some of the most critically-acclaimed and best-selling indie hip hop records of the past 20-years. With the release of their newest effort, In Death Reborn, the Army returns after a four-year hiatus to release its fourth group album featuring the lead single/video for “God Particle” featuring Vinnie Paz, Planetary, Esoteric, Apathy & Celph Titled and produced by Stu Bangas. The album also features appearances by Blacastan, Zilla, Block McCloud, Demoz, Doap Nixon & King Magnetic.

Initiated in 1998 by Jedi Mind Tricks front-man Vinnie Paz as homage to the incredible rap crews of the 80’s and early 90’s, the Army of the Pharaohs has, from its outset, been an ever-evolving collective of celebrated emcees from the indie hip-hop scene. Founding members Vinnie Paz and Esoteric were featured on the crew’s original 12-inch single, “Five Perfect Exertions,” in 1998 and remain with the crew today. With the release of their debut studio album, The Torture Papers in 2006, the Pharaoh clique expanded to include accomplished solo emcees Apathy, Celph Titled, King Syze, Reef the Lost Cauze, and the Philly hip-hop duo and frequent Jedi Mind Tricks collaborators Outerspace.

In its nearly two decades, AOTP has released three studio albums alongside countless solo albums and side projects from its lineup of emcees that have been some of the most critically-acclaimed and best-selling indie hip hop records of the past 20-years. With the release of their newest effort, In Death Reborn, the Army returns after a four-year hiatus to release its fourth group album featuring the lead single/video for “God Particle” featuring Vinnie Paz, Planetary, Esoteric, Apathy & Celph Titled and produced by Stu Bangas. The album also features appearances by Blacastan, Zilla, Block McCloud, Demoz, Doap Nixon & King Magnetic.

Army of the Pharaohs In Death Reborn drops April 22, 2014 on Enemy Soil.

Tracklisting and Credits for Army Of The Pharaohs “In Death Reborn”

1.) “Curse of the Pharaohs” f/ Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Celph Titled, Esoteric & Reef the Lost Cauze (produced by Blastah Beatz)
2.) “Midnight Burial” f/ Reef the Lost Cauze, Crypt the Warchild, Esoteric, Des Devious & Celph Titled (produced by C-Lance)
3.) “Broken Safeties” f/ Apathy, Lawrence Arnell, Vinnie Paz & Celph Titled (produced by Vanderslice)
4.) “God Particle” f/ Vinnie Paz, Planetary, Esoteric, Apathy & Celph Titled (produced by Stu Bangas)
5.) “Luxor Temple” f/ Blacastan, Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Esoteric, Celph Titled & Planetary (produced by Paul Nice)
6.) “Azrael” f/ Block McCloud, Reef the Lost Cauze, Vinnie Paz & Crypt the Warchild (produced by Frank Grimes)
7.) “The Demon’s Blade” f/ Vinnie Paz, Celph Titled, Apathy, Blacastan, Planetary & Esoteric (produced by Leaf Dog)
8.) “See You In Hell” f/ Celph Titled, Planetary, Blacastan & Vinnie Paz (produced by C-Lance)
9.) “Headless Ritual” f/ Blacastan, Apathy, Vinnie Paz, King Syze, Zilla & Planetary (produced by Apathy)
10.) “Visual Camouflage” f/ Apathy, Zilla, Vinnie Paz, King Magnetic, Celph Titled, Esoteric (produced by Juan Muteniac)
11.) “Ninkyo Dantai” (Yakuza) f/ Vinnie Paz, Celph Titled, Blacastan, Apathy, Esoteric & Planetary (produced by Panik)
12.) “Digital War” f/ Celph Titled, Planetary, Blacastan, Esoteric, Apathy, Crypt the Warchild & Vinnie Paz (produced by Lecs Beats)
13.) “7th Ghost” f/ Reef the Lost Cauze, Doap Nixon, Blacastan, Demoz & Vinnie Paz (produced by Grim Reaperz)
14.) “Sumerians” f/ Vinnie Paz, Blacastan, Apathy, Celph Titled, Esoteric (produced by Frank Grimes)

Apathy took to Twitter today to announce the release schedule for both his next solo LP, Connecticut Casual, as well as the next Army Of The Pharaohs album, In Death Reborn. Ap’s album is expected for May, while ATOP’s is expected in April. Check out the tweets and tentative cover art below.

"Connecticut Casual". May.

— Apathy (@ApathyDGZ) January 29, 2014

AOTP "In Death Reborn". April.

— Apathy (@ApathyDGZ) January 29, 2014

Super groups. They’re usually formed with the goal of showcasing a collection of solo emcees that aim to be a musical Voltron of sorts. But, success for such groups is usually fleeting, either because the group was never able to take off (The Commission – Biggie, Charlie Baltimore and Jay-Z), because egos got in the way and stopped it from ever forming (Murda Inc – Ja Rule, Jay-Z, and DMX) or because the final product is flat out just mediocre (The Firm). With The Unholy Terror, Army of The Pharoahes third album, the underground hip-hop super group attempts to buck the trend.

AOTP has always been blessed with steady, if not stellar, production. Having producers like Stoupe, 7L and Celph Titled as members made it downright easy to get the hot shit. But even with Stoupe and 7L no longer being part of ATOP, The Unholy Terror still features solid production. The Crown produced; “Agony Fires”, starts the album off nicely with a dark, melodic and quintessential Jedi Mind Tricks-ish track. The ease with which Vinnie Paz, Planetary, Celph and Apathy flow is on full display. The emcees ride easy over the track. The truth is, Celph and Apathy steal the show over and over again. Their energy is evident and they flow effortlessly on each and every cut they are featured on.

Originally formed as a five emcee, two producer, group, Army of the Pharaohs has expanded to fifteen members. This in and of itself is an issue as some tracks are too long and have extended verses to fit members in. The problem with super group releases also lies in the fact that even with the goal of being “super”, invariably, not all of the emcees are on the same level. It’s a tough listen when the higher level emcees fall back on a track. Also, The Unholy Terror seems to really continue where the AOTP started from on it’s previous releases. There is something to be said for consistency, but with the expectation that this is a super group, production should be much sharper and lyrics should be crisper. This album does nothing to take listeners to that next level.

While The Unholy Terror does not break new ground, it does have its good points. The tracks to check for are “Ripped to Shreds”, “Bust Em”, “Godzilla” and “Contra Mantra”. While cuts such as “44 Magnum”, “Suicide Girl” and “The Ultimatum” do have promise; in the end, they do more to tease than fully satisfy. Sadly, this is a theme of the album overall.

The main problem with this release, as far as this critic is concerned, is that it’s not spectacular. It does not do anything to blow the listener away or stand out. Every track is fine, but not mind blowing. It’s even difficult to pick a standout track. For fans of AOTP or of the individual emcees, it won’t be a disappointment. But to this critic, on The Unholy Terror, AOTP does not put on the cape but instead stays in the phone booth.

]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/04/10/army-of-the-pharaohs-the-unholy-terror-review/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/03/27/vinnie-paz-announces-season-of-the-assassin-lp-for-june-22-release/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/03/27/vinnie-paz-announces-season-of-the-assassin-lp-for-june-22-release/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:22:19 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=9733 [cont.]]]>

With Army of The Pharaohs The Unholy Terror LP dropping on tuesday March 30th, Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz wastes no time announcing his new LP, Season of The Assassin on JMT’s own Enemy Soil Records imprint on June 22nd. In other news, also look out for the new LP from Dutch (produced entirely by Stoupe of Jedi Mind Tricks) A Bright Cold Day, in stores two weeks before on June 8th.