Album Review: Body Count-Manslaughter

It's safe to say that nu/rap metal has all but completely fizzled out over the past decade. Much of the popularity bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot enjoyed for much of the late 90's and early 2000's has long faded away. For whatever reason, 2014 seems to be the year nu-metal attempts a revival. High-profile nu-metal acts seem to collectively be pulling together for one last run at success (for evidence of this, take a gander at this year's Mayhem Festival lineup.) One of the more under-appreciated OG nu-metal acts, Body Count, is amongst the acts looking to cash in on this potential comeback opportunity. Body Count's first release in eight years, Manslaughter, sets the bar extremely high for their peers with the one of the most consistently fun and engaging records this genre has produced since the beginning of the Bush administration.

Aside from the out-of-place, mid-paced tribute to the military in "I Will Always Love You", Manslaughter is almost an hour of pure entertainment. Iconic rapper Ice-T and his bandmates understand exactly what is needed to thrive in genre. They never take themselves too seriously and don't screw around with filler tracks-they simply go for the jugular from start to finish. The playful tone is matched perfectly by Ice-T's charismatic presence as a frontman and guitarist Ernie C's onslaught of stank riffs. At 56, Ice-T can still spit with the same venom and levels of pure rage that he did 20 years ago. His over-the-top presence and hilariously blunt lyrics ("Institutionalized 2014", "Get a Job", "Talk Shit, Get Shot" and "Black Voodoo Sex" are comic gold mines) make him the perfect frontman for a nu-metal band. Ernie C is just as vital to Body Count's success with his flawless guitarwork. Every track on here has some kind of groovy, memorable riff that gets stuck in your head immediately after listening. Every once in a while, Ernie C switches things up from his groove-based playing style and, lets loose with some vintage thrash shredding that would make the likes of Kirk Hammett and Kerry King raise an eyebrow.  Ernie C breaks the typical one-note mold for nu-metal guitarists with his well-rounded and genuinely impressive playing.

If you're looking for thought-provoking lyrics and really beautiful, complex compositions, you'll surely be disappointed with this record. If you enjoy classic nu-metal with great riffs galore, amusing lyrics, the occasional badass guitar solo and non-stop energy, then you'll enjoy the hell of Manslaughter. Manslaughter beckons back to the glory days of not only Body Count, but the entire nu-metal genre. If nu-metal's attempted revival ends up being successful, Manslaughter will be the record that leads the charge.

4/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Institutionalized 2014
2.Get a Job
3.Enter the Dark Side