If Krohme‘s The Ceremony Of Innocence (2022) was him showcasing his ‘doom bap’ style as a full-album experience, then the veteran producer’s second album, Before The Animals Know You’re Dead, further expands on it, with an even more experimental approach taken.
Krohme is credited for pioneering doom bap, which combines boom bap hip hop with doom metal. This subgenre is exemplified on Before The Animals Know You’re Dead, with its hallmarks such as dark, atmospheric production, live instrumentation and uncompromising lyrics all present.
The opener (and title track) underpins the album’s esoteric themes, its grim proclamation of doom setting the tone right away. Throughout the LP, featured artists take cue from Krohme’s sinister soundscapes, delivering forceful bars aimed at, among others, ‘whack’ rappers.
“Mustard Gas” is boom rap at its fiercest. Featuring Kurupt, Apathy and Bub Styles, who all exemplify great emceeing, the song is arguably a standout. “Kitchen Sink Gumbo”, “Comrades” and “River Monsters” have a similar lyrical edge, mixing heavy-hitting commentary with an air of gloom.
The chorus on “The Levee Breaks” is so menacing, seemingly channelling The Undertaker’s “Rest In Peace”, but with addition of soulful vocals. “The Levee Breaks” illustrates Krohme’s excellent use of texture in his sounds.
“Scorpion’s Harpoon”, with its noisy, shouted chorus and smooth rap verses, is perhaps the best showcase of the fusion between hip hop and rock/metal. The track carries an atmospheric layer that adds depth to the ominous lyrics. Krohme, however, went all-out psychedelic on “Dernier Cri”, the track that is more metal than it is hip hop.
Just like the opening track, the album closer, “Finis Dierum”, features spoken word delivery. It bleakly announces the ‘end of days’, emphasizing the pointlessness of trying to hold on to life.
Before The Animals Know You’re Dead is one of those albums whose significance may be felt for years to come. Its aesthetic, and by extension Krohme’s, is the kind that fans of alternative hip hop gravitate towards. The producer has really created a brilliant project with this one.
Get Before The Animals Know You’re Dead via Bandcamp below, and follow Krohme on Facebook.
Listen/download: ▶︎ Before the Animals Know You’re Dead | Krohme
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