Rebelmatic-”Prey for the Vulture” review by John M. Ellison IV

A few weeks ago on Twitter, I mentioned that I was going to reduce the amount of production article wise to work on more of my music. So, out of nowhere a guy by the name of Creature hits me up. Apparently he knows the guys from Amul9 and dug my review on them and wanted to know if I could do a review on Rebelmatic. I thought “Well, why not? Besides I need the material anyway.”

For those who aren’t familiar with the band, Rebelmatic is politically charged…not really sure honestly. I guess I would call it “New York City Hardcore” that consists of Creature on Vocals, O on BASS, Alkatraz on Guitars/ Vocals and Stiks- Drums and are reminiscent of Atlanta Black Hardcore band, AMUL9.

Rebelmatic’s overall influences the usual suspects of Public Enemy, Bad Brains, NWA, Suicidal Tendencies, but surprisingly Goodie Mob, Motorhead, Ramones, The Doors and just New York in general. With the conscious overtones and loose execution of the band, most of the album sounds like a cross between Black Panther meeting, jam session and one man cypher.

“Prey for the Vulture” goes 10 tracks deep of Creature voicing and venting his frustrations and pointing out social ills over mostly rap-rock and one reggae-tinged song “Set Myself on Fire.”
I feel this album has potential but it still has to grow on me. For the political rap/conscious crowd that enjoys loosely executed musicianship and “anti-dance rap song” lyricism will really enjoy this.