I have been sitting on this album a little while now, giving it plenty of listens and to sum it up briefly this album is RAW.
This is Phoenix Da Icefires debut album although he has also previously put out a mixtape titled ’Baptism Under Fire’ back in 2009 and has also appeared on some heavyweight tracks with the likes of Jon Phonics, M9, Triple Darkness etc if I’m not mistaken. Phoenix smashes it on every track and the production is all courtesy of beatmaking powerhouse Chemo, with the exception of one track which is produced by Beat Butcha
As expected, the beats are banging, bringing really heavy drums and tunes that you can’t help but bob along to, this compliments Phoenix’s style, dropping bar after bar of pure grit and heavy hitting lyrics. The album features a dope lineup of guest verses from the likes of Kyza, Ruste Juxx, Cyrus Malachi, Keith Murray, Klashnekoff, Skriblah and many more.
A good range of topics and concepts touched on throughout this album and a few nice skits of thought provoking poetry also feature. Highlight track for me has got to be ‘Back to the Future’ which features Skriblah, this track has got a seriously dope, bouncy beat and sees Phoenix and Skriblah tearing the beat apart touching on what their careers may be like in the future.
Check out www.phoenixdaicefire.com to buy the album from as little as £5 (£7 including postage) the album is 18 tracks deep and definately worth every penny. The website also features a Bio on Phoenix which is a really interesting read, as well as info on his past releases and a whole heap of other interesting stuff. Check check it
By Joe Downes
