After the resounding success of the debut, Gravediggaz shows up with a full-blown sophomore jinx. The rapping formation is unchanged, however, Prince Paul is no longer the main architect of the rhythms.
Production is handled by RZA and Wu-Elements, 4th Disciple, True Master and Goldfinghaz, Wu-affiliate Darkim Be Allah, and members of Gravediggaz Poetic and Frukwan, while Prince Paul is credited solely to outro. RZA makes the intro, one other beat and co-produces three rhythms. The theme of the disc also changes, from the initial horrorcore violence of the seminal debut to a decidedly more relaxed, calm and bland mood, with socio-conscious lyrics performed with a soporific and monotonous rapping. Guests are Wu-affiliate Blue Raspberry (uncredited), Kelis (uncredited), Hell Razah, Killah Priest & Shabazz the Disciple of Sunz of Man, 9th Prince of Killarmy, brother of RZA, and outsiders Aleem and Omen of Flatlinerz.
The boom bap production of these guys sounds similar over the listening hour. It's a bit dark, generic, bland, it doesn't say much. The lyricism of the performers is forgettable and ignorable, the humor is ended up to give space to the socio-conscious and political. The album disappoints, it's much softer and much weaker than the previous one, there's a strange, incomprehensible and inexplicable U-turn in this LP. Released by V2 and Gee Street, the product is pushed by BMG to achieve better sales than its debut, finishing in box number 20 on the pop chart and in the top ten of hip-hop records. Strange fall from the Gravediggaz, that will disintegrate in the following years. Not recommended, 4/10.
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