Maximum Metal Rating Legend

It is rare that a band who seemingly peaks with their first album like Body Count did with their 1992 eponymous release ever can reach those same heights again. Ice-T has never pulled any punches lyrically, however as success and money starts to flow it is hard to see the same anger taken seriously as a listener.

Thankfully, no matter which side of politics you sit, the last two years has provided plenty of fodder for righteous indignation and from the first Mustaine-led riffs and public service overture in "Civil War" it is very clear where this album is going. Whether it is Trump, BLM, SJWs, the 1%, police or black-on-black crime, nothing is out of reach for the tirade of fury that Ice-T displays as the frustration pours out.

Every song hits hard and influences differ from every song that rips from the playlist. Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Stuck Mojo, and Sabbath are heard everywhere and then a decent mix of guests in Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) and Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly) take this everywhere from Rapcore to Hardcore to Thrash to Groove Metal.

As a pasty late-30 something white dude, it is still difficult to have the same bravado in public that I have in my car when screaming to the Body Count lyrics but this genre-smashing classic is everything a metal, no, MUSIC fan could want. There are so many highlights however the violence and horror in "The Ski Mask Way" and "Here I Go Again" will have you pressing the little circle button to do it again, and again, and again.

After 22 years, we are going to go to see Body Count again in OZ soon, so the timing of this release has been perfect. Buy it, stream it, just do whatever you have to do to get this in your rotation.