Two Decades Later: Why A.O.T.P.’s Hardcore Boom-Bap Still Hits Hard

Released September 25th 2007

Legends of the underground in their own right, Jedi Mind Tricks essentially linked with DemiGodz, JuJu Mob, and OuterSpace to form the collective Army of the Pharaohs (A.O.T.P.). This album also introduced King Magnetic, Doap Nixon, and Demoz as part of the group. Ritual of Battle marks the second of the five official album releases from A.O.T.P. and, as expected, is full of that gritty, underground Philly rap that I’ve always had an affinity for. While some of the production on this album is a bit hit-or-miss, the level of lyricism presented allows it to stand the test of time as it closes in on two decades since its release.

This album is what I call consistently consistent, in that no track feels out of place despite a number of producers being used throughout. It delivers hardcore boom-bap from beginning to end. Also, the great thing about a crew-cut type of release is that there is a bit of friendly competition to drop the best verse, which naturally elevates the lyricism. Granted, you still get some standouts like Vinnie Paz on “Blue Steel” and Des Devious on “Black Christmas,” but ultimately, every member holds their own. With that said, this album is probably more of a niche release for modern hip-hop fans. If you’re a fan of melodic rap or club music, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

The production side is exactly what you would expect: simple samples and scratches built for a lyrical assault. On the flip side, I feel like this purist type of production ages the best. Tracks like “Pages in Blood” are still certified head-nodders and feature one of the better hooks on the album. While most of the beats are timeless, “Gun Ballad” does give off a bit of a commercial, early-2000s vibe.

Overall, Ritual of Battle is still a great listen for those who enjoy gritty lyricism, or for those longing for an A.O.T.P. fix, as it’s been about 12 years since a full-fledged album amidst departures from a few members. Definitely recommended.

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑½ (7.5/10)

Standout Tracks: Dump The Clip, Black Christmas, Seven, Pages In Blood, Don’t Cry