Megadef
label: spy tech

producers: dj cheapshot

guests: 4zone, apathy, celph titled
year of release: 2003
The label 'classic' is quicker tossed than paper tissues. In some cases though, there's a lot that argues in the favor of a record, to deserve the title. "2000 Fold" (which came out in 1998) is such a case, although there's good reasons why to dismiss the assigning of this honor. But there has been the necessary legends, facts, rumors, trivia and etc. around it to keep the people talking about it. But the prosecutor will argue that it might be a favorite of many, but that doesn't make it a classic. Then he still acknowledged that ever since back then the Styles Of Beyond have a solid fan base.
That was obviously disappointed when the word of SOB splitting up spread. To then reunite with a little less fanfare. But since the SOB first came out, the attention of any announcement has to be shared with many, many others. So also the announcement of a new album. That, and those that heard it agree, is funky fresh. A gimmicky two words two describe this record. And two surprising words in the face of the first album. But, and here we start to seriously talk about "Megadef", things have changed. Maybe not so much lyrically, but certainly musically. As the cover confirms, we find ourselves listening to high quality 'enter the ring' tracks for professional wrestlers. This is grittier where "2000 Fold" was mystic. This is bouncier where the other one was eclectic. This is quite different.

tracklisting
1. Intro
2. Megadef
3. Mr. Brown
4. You Lose
5. Interlude
6. Be Your Dog
7. Pay Me feat. 4Zone
8. Outta Control
9. Bleach
10. Playin With Fire feat. Apathy, Celph Titled
11. Live Enough
12. Round 'Em Up
13. Eurobiks
14. Superstars
With the guitars taking charge on "Megadef". This slow rolling cut gains hardness with the pace, and Ryu and Tak take no prisoners. They get grimy with megaloid rhyming. The same instrument, read guitar, is what guides "Be Your Dog" (or "Live Enough", which is the only weak song, and the album's rap rock "Superstars"), a curiously titled track, that gets completely evil, with a shouted chorus, and dismantling you rhymes. And the lyrical content is kept on the next, still humorous in vibe, track "Mr. Brown". The beat is just a good time hop along, with the sampled hook demanding a sing along. The we're better than you rhetoric shoves the laughs back into your throat, when the two make themselves sound mega again.
Flipping the script, "Pay Me" does a remote double timing, with a commercial beat, that's however driven. And the drive is having you nod, while Ryu and Tak really style and 4Zone adds his magic to the track as well. This then can be quite a hit for the three, because it learns from a successful formula, without copying it, but instead offers the SOB interpretation. As slowed down this is, the faster comes "Bleach", what gives us a quick flashback to some years ago, as does "Round 'Em Up", with a more nightly vibe, that has the lyrics come across even more disturbed and serial. One of the nicest samples was used on "Playin With Fire", a track that features Apathy and Celph Titled of the Demigodz. Knowing those two cats, you can rightfully expect wacko rhymes galore.
What's kinda kept up throughout the album, that sticks to holier than though themes. Therefore lyrically the album is flatter in depth, while not less in skill. Most important though, Ryu and Tak make you feel to be their friend. You feel welcome in the presence of their voices, what makes you feel good when you listen to the album. So if they are mega, you can be mega too. Despite the beats, that contain very little innovation (while they are, just as the album, quite original and banging). Beats that move quite a bit away from what the first album accomplished. But they move to somewhere nice and new, funky and fresh, mega and def.
review: tadah
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