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Death Grips - Exmilitary

2011 was an odd time for rap. Although many now iconic artists released important albums for their career (such as Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, The Creator), there was not much in innovation for the genre. Except one little mixtape that impressed some and disgusted others with its odd screamed lyrics and brash instrumentals. That of course being Death Grips' debut mixtape, Exmilitary.

Before Death Grips had vomited their odd experimental creations onto the earth. The three members were not known for much, if at all. Frontman MC Ride was known as Mxlplx in the rap group Fyre, drummer Zach Hill was a member of the math rock band Hella, both to little acclaim. And keyboardist Andy Morin has almost no known previous musical projects to his name. But after releasing this free mixtape, they were met with mixed reception due to this style not being heard almost at all in music, let alone rap. But does it still hold up today as such an influential part of the genre?

As a whole, the album is filled to the brim with samples. Almost every song has some sort of older work integrated into the track. All of them are used extremely well as if they were made for the mixtape itself. The instrumentals as a whole are loud and frantic, complementing Ride's psychotic rants as he screams through the track. Some instrumentals, like in Beware and Spread Eagle Across The Block are based around rock samples. And others, like the ones for Thru The Walls and Culture Shock edge on Electronic.

These lyrics, despite being almost unintelligible at times, describes paranoia, murder and addiction laced in metaphor. The tone of his voice conveying the feeling of experiencing these constant intense negative feelings. This can be seen in songs like I Want It I Need It as Ride screams about being addicted to sex while his voice almost cracks swearing, as if directly to your face. This style of rapping hasn't been so prominent in a Death Grips release since their 2012 album No Love Deep Web and I do hope that they eventually bring back this paranoid tone.

The intro track Beware is one of the best intros that I've seen in any album. The eery Charles Manson intro on this song fits the theme of the song of standing as yourself and not caring. The lyrics itself describing this character that isnt afraid to die for his cause. I feel this this sets the tone for the album and Death Grips' discography as a whole and could easily be seen as one of their best songs.

Guillotine is probably the worst track on the mixtape. Despite how much that I used to love it, the predominantly synth based instrumental borderlines on annoying. Although I do like the wierd high pitched outro to mirror the lower tones of the song. The lyrics are standard for the band but the chorus is repeated too much to be enjoyable. I could see why is this their most popular song on YouTube but as introduction it doesn't work that well.

Culture Shock is my personal favourite off of this mixtape. The stuttery instrumental is based around these vocal samples (probably Ride himself) connected in a way that almost sounds like a synth. The rhymes in the song could be seen as a rant on how life is changing to quickly and how people today are quick to obey the media and new technology.

Overall, this album is absolutely amazing, of course not their best, but it is high up their in their discography. Their style has evolved over time but the original is just as good as it is now. Death Grips has yet to release a full album since 2018's Year Of The Snitch and there hasn't been any news related to the band in a long time. But there are many fans, including myself, patiently waiting for something from the band.

Best Tracks: Beware, Takyon, Klink, Culture Shock, Thru The Wall

Worst Track: Guillotine

9/10

#death grips #Exmilitary #Rap #Music #Album #Review