CANNIBAL (noun): one that eats the flesh of its own kind
OX (noun): a slang term used to describe a sharp blade Cannibal Ox, a pair of MC's that devour their own kind with words as sharp as blades
Harlem, NY natives Vordul Megilah and Vast Aire bring to you their highly anticipated debut
LP "The Cold Vein".
Cannibal Ox is getting intense responses from heads and journalists alike...saying that it is hip hop that is street, reality based and lyricaly advanced at the same time ... delivered with a sincerity, intelligence and skill level that may have never been heard in this way.
"The Cold Vein" is already elliciting responses toting it is a potentially seminal album in the same way (not stylelisticaly but in spirit ) as the beginning days of Wu-Tang, De La Soul, Company Flow, Ice Cube circa "America's Most Wanted", Dr. Octagon and so on.
El-P of Company Flow fame provides a diverse collection of beats that range from the slow funky "Pain Kill", to the guitar laced "Pigeon", and then in one swift step hits you with the high energy "Vein". the beats bring a heroic futuristic element to all these songs resulting in some of the most epic and interesting production out and further reitterates why he is celebrated as one of the most innovative and creative producers of this day and age. this is the first non co flow full length he's ever produced.
Despite this being the debut LP, Cannibal Ox are not newcomers to the rap game. The hype on Can Ox has been deafening this past year with constant talk of them on all the hip hop sites as well as consistent coverage of them in press without their even being a record out A few cdrs that were in circulation last year actually charted on cmj charts! They, along with their well respected crew, Atoms Family, have been making noise in the NYC underground hip hop scene since 1995. In the short time from 95-97 they have performed at every major hip hop venue in NYC with 98 marking the year that they would travel beyond the NY border to take the show on the road to Europe with Company Flow, Mr. Lif, and BMS on the "Little Johnny Tour". Upon return from Europe, they showed no signs of slowing down their live performances, continuing to do shows in Chicago, Boston, New York, and other cities across the US.
Their debut on wax came in 1999 on the CP Records compilation "Persecution of Hip Hop" on which Vast Aire delivered the song "Adversity Strikes" which many have declared a 'classic' and as a result has appeared on countless mix-tapes over the past 2 years. Vast Aire has also made a few guest appearances on other releases in the past few years, including but not limited to Aesop Rock's LP "Float" (Mush Records).
The a-side Iron Galaxy on the Company Flow/Cannibal Ox split is a visual ride through life in the city of NY where Vast delivers clever wordplay with lines like "you were a stillborn baby, mother didn't want you but you were still born" and Vordul provides listeners with such vivid descriptions of life in the city that after one listen, you feel as if you experienced it yourself.
2001 marks the year that Cannibal Ox and El P brings us "The Cold Vein" a no holds barred look at the lives of two Harlem youths. A life where "everyday is no frills, empty crills, empty 40 bottles and MC's with skills".
