May 15, 2004
Prehistoric Beats: Cannibal Ox
To blatantly rip off the their intro to the bio on their record label's web page:
CAN*NI*BAL (noun): one that eats the flesh of its own kind
OX (noun): a slang term used to describe a sharp blade Cannibal Ox, a pair of MC's that devour their own kind with words as sharp as blades
Vast Aire and Vordul Megilah, who make up Cannibal Ox, are two guys of epic proportions, physically and in presence on record. Their debut, and only, album, 2001's The Cold Vein, is an awesomely distinct record, and one of the best rap albums of all time. The Cold Vein combines the perfect production from Def Jux's man in charge El-P and the distinct rapping of Vast Aire and Vordul Megilah. The production is the noisiest and as "minor" sounding as any rap album, which is so refreshing, and works so well with the brilliantly dark and grimy storytelling. The album sounds like it emerged from a primordial soup, it's messiness and darkness truly give you the feel for the New York that Vast Aire and Vordul are describing. The beats feel slow, the rapping is very strong and deliberate. The lyrics are somewhat violent, but never in an over the top way. The boastful rapper's pride is mixed with real self awareness and self deprecation. In one verse Vast Aire points out that he did a big no no of rapping by rhyming a word with itself, and in the same song repeats an entire verse because it starts with "If you can't succeed, try try again." The record is filled with brilliant rhymes, and strangely awesome production.
The Cold Vein garnered a lot of critical acclaim, and big things were expected from Cannibal Ox, but after Vordul broke his collarbone and they cancelled a few tours for different reasons rumors ran rampant that Vast and Vordul didn't even talk and that Can Ox had broken up. Vast Aire, whose solo debut, Look Ma...No Hands, was released this week is saying those rumors are completely false and that Can Ox will be releasing an EP and a full length within the next year. Cannibal Ox's post The Cold Vein career has been a dissapointment, but maybe they will strike back with the force of their first amazing album, and based on that brilliant record Cannibal Ox is The Greatest Band Of All Time.