Chain Of Command Rogue State Review

Chain Of Command are essentially a bunch of hot producers, mcs and musicians, straight out of the United Kingdom. In a genre that's too often American-led this makes a nice change. What's more, Merciless Records have been brave enough to release material that's both experimental and plays with more than just superficial, self-conscious imagery – these guys definitely deal in reality.

Track one, ''Rogue State'', immediately conveys the feeling of something beyond just hip hop: It's a hard hitting style that would definitely send your Granny to an early grave. The vocals are leaning towards the militant, a bonus in today’s apolitical age, and of course the usual heavy use of samples, raw lyrics and a thundering guitar line. The second track ''Not In My Name'' has an alluring French/ English accent on the vocals with a slow tempo to underline the message while ''Chain Of Command'' is carried by some energising, tight mcing. ''Stress'' delivers with an in-your-face orchestra.

After so much power and volume ''Truss'' is in danger of wasting all the credibility with its annoying, chipmunk backing vocals. Luckily the next two tracks ''The System'' and ''The System (Reprise)'' get you back with jazzy drum beats, the dreamy sound of a flute and an array of strings, floating over a deeper groove. Add to this some bonus instrumentals and you have an album of considerable depth.

Rogue State is going to appeal to heavier hip hop heads and may also be of interest to some heavy metal punters. Overall, this will probably do best with underground djs. It may be loud, but it's most definitely proud as well.