ALBUM REVIEW: Tomorrow We Escape – Ho99o9
HO99O9, the duo that consists of THEOGM and YETI BONES, have always combined hip hop, industrial, metal, hardcore, punk and more with their music and on their new album Tomorrow We Escape, they let loose with another eleven tracks of hard hitting lyrics, beats and abrasive noisy goodness. This album has markedly even more of a hip hop influence than before, even though it has always been there since the groups beginnings, and it is not just in the music but also in the attitude that they emit, and like all great rap and hip hop, HO99O9 don’t just talk the talk, they sure as hell walk the walk as well.
Kicking off with the introspective I Miss Home, a song that features rising rapper MORUF (who although is now based in LA was raised in New Jersey, much like the HO99O9 duo), and gets the record off to a laid back but still formidable start.
After that, the alternative tinged Escape and the frenetic Target Practice up the energy levels and even with these first 3 tracks, it shows the sheer eclectic nature of the music of HO99O9, and with the industrial blast of Ok I’m Reloaded (a track that boasts more firepower than Tony Montana as he utters that line in Scarface and just as much swagger as DIPSET soldier JUELZ SANTANA kicks off his rap anthem S.A.N.T.A.N.A with) and the street ready hip hop meets psychedelic dervish that is Psychic Jumper, HO99O9 amp up the power tremendously.
Incline introduces more guests, a multitude in fact, that includes similarly red hot duo NOVA TWINS, the always incredible and unbelievably underrated eclectic rapper/singer PINK SIIFU (all HO99O9 fans should seek out his 2021 album Gumbo! and latest album Black’!Antique immediately after listening to this) and the similarly eclectic YUNG SKRRT and this combination of artists is a match made in heaven with everyone bringing the fire and working very well with each other.
Upside Down is a track that lives up to its title with a vivid collection of sounds that veers from ALICE IN CHAINS-esque rock to titanium hard rap to upbeat electronic madness as the track goes on, and it sounds like a riot from start to finish. The next two tracks feature another couple of special guests and they work so well with what HO99O9 are doing with this album.
Tapeworm features GREG PUCIATO and is as gloriously chaotic as you would expect on a track between these artists while the perfectly titled Immortal features the sublime vocals of CHELSEA WOLFE, who enchants the track as spellbindingly as you would expect her to. With all the guests in the album, it definitely demonstrates the eclectic nature of it.
There are constant mentions of HO99O9 referring themselves as the Triple 9 on Tomorrow We Escape and this echoes Memphis hip hop legends THREE 6 MAFIA and there are definite parallels with what HO99O9 do and what DJ PAUL and JUICY J do, especially on this album and that is horror (real world and fantasy), indebted riot starting music and the thought of a possible next album collaboration between the two entities is a tantalising prospect indeed. Make it happen!
The record finishes with the furious LA Riots and the brooding Godflesh, which are both pure HO99O9 and ends on a frenetic note, the way that you would hope, and you are left reeling from another HO99O9 maelstrom.
Tomorrow We Escape is another essential collection that contains all the riot starting mayhem we love from HO99O9 but this time round, they demonstrate an even more eclectic side to their music, and one that shows maturity too, the duo defiantly showing the growth they are making as artists too and when the results are this strong, they definitely deserve their plaudits in doing so.
Rating: 8/10
Tomorrow We Escape is out now via 999 Deathkult.
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