Approximately 10-years ago (Cold Vein was released on 5-15-2001) Vast Aire and Vordul Mega (collectively known as Cannibal Ox) released their seminal debut, Cold Vein, on Def Jux Records. Now, a decade later, the pair team up again with Raekwon for “Thor’s Hammer” which appears on Vast Aire’s new solo-LP, Ox 2010: A Street Odyssey, which is now available at all retail and online outlets (iTunes).

LISTEN: Vast Aire – “Thor’s Hammer” (feat. Raekwon + Vordul Mega)

Vast Aire – “Thor’s Hammer” (feat. Raekwon + Vordul Mega)

    Instead of constantly kicking generic battle raps like many in the underground do, Vordul opts to keep his subject matter full of captivating tales of surviving life in his hood of Harlem. But there is little of mention of Harlem by name as Vordul’s universal rhymes transcend neighborhood and city boundaries and reach out to anyone in the struggle. While not nearly as revolutionary as his fellow Harlem rep Immortal Technique, Vordul doesn’t just report what he sees on a daily basis: he calls for action. On “Hell Yeah” he clearly expresses how there is life outside of the ghetto and people can and should escape the trap that is the system. As he raps on this track: “We want more area to speak–our individual piece/ Everybody needs some of the pie or else we’re gonna see it as unfair/ Have us take it back to Indians throwing the spear.”  Complimented by the mostly dark soundscapes of Belief, Dev 1 and others, Vordul aptly keeps things grimy but not without a sense of optimism. As the booming opening cut “Neva Again” communicates, despite all the overwhelming hurt many in the struggle face, there is hope for better days.

     With only a handful of featured affiliates here (C Rayz Walz, Karnage, Jean Grae and Vast Aire), The Revolution of Yung Havoks is an overdue showcase of Vordul’s abilities on the mic. Sure, “Handle That” featuring Vast Aire will leave many Cannibal Ox fans yearning another group project, but let’s face it: there will never be another Cold Vein. If people can embrace this, it will be much easier to enjoy Vordul’s debut, even if El-P’s beats are nowhere to be found here. Through his solo debut, Vordul Mega uses hip-hop as a means to escape his pressure cooker-like environment, thus leaving heads with an album that’s more often than not an engaging listen.