Chronikill Chronicle: Chronically Ill. EP Charlie Cypher and Zeroxene, from Brooklyn and Queens respectively, brought through a demo track reviewed in these very web pages some months ago that had me waiting to hear a substantial release, to gain a fuller picture of what Chronikill have to offer the masses. This eight track extended player goes some way to fulfilling that curiosity. What you get is eight slices of twisted verbals that veer between straight battle, Lord Finesse style punch-lines, all the way through to sick green-fuelled metaphysical sorcery. Right, time for the synopsis- “Punched in the Mouth” has some tough production on one of four consecutive Cypher tracks; this is some straight battle shit over a bluesy mid-tempo instrumental, enhanced by a dark harmonica-type loop reminiscent of that mid-90s Wu shit. “My Way” features Big Zak and Homegrown riding a slow-flow, accordion led beat with serious Mexican style vibes throughout. “I Can’t Chill” is some serious shit. Set off by some church organs, it’s like one of those great Geto Boys tracks in one of their less misogynistic moments. Throw in a chorus of wailing souls and the piece is complete. “Top to Bottom” sees Cypher and Rox run off an avalanche of ill lyrics over a backdrop of shuffling boom-bap electronica. The production duties are handed over to Boof for two minute slice of Big Band soundtrack lunacy that is “Dadaism”. The quick pace adds emphasis to the flows, highlights of which include, “On weekends my eyes roll back like River Phoenix” giving you an idea of exactly where they’re coming from. “Gets a Little Louder” is a collabo with Warrington’s own Pneumatic out of 21 Eyez, and sounds as lively as it did when I first heard it a while ago. It’s definitely some saloon funk and a nice combination of styles on this DJ Sloth production. “Agrocultur” works off a little Channel Live cut-up chorus and harpsichord combo, featuring Agro on production and microphone chores. “I Wish I Had A Voice like Slick Rick” is the comedy antidote. Both a homage and piss-take of his royal highness, there are some lines to rival the lyrics of a pre-delusional Eminem, evoking images of monkey tennis with shit like, “all that timid talk is harder to watch than women’s sports”. But what about topless darts I hear you cry! So overall a solid debut from the pair currently residing in the N.O.; they’ve definitely got some lyrics and manage to immerse you in their own hazy environment, creating their own little box rather than happily fitting into one: A promising start. - Eddie Venom © ukhh.com 1999 - 2002