Band/Artist: Lex the Hex Master
Release House: Majik Ninja Entertainment
Genre: Rap/Hip-hop
One Sentence Synopsis: The much anticipated sophomore LP from the artist
Series: Standalone
Single/EP/Album: Album
Release Date: 10-31-17
Running Time: 40 min
MSRP: $11.99
Discount Link: Click Here
Website: Click Here
Sample/Music Video: Click Here
Purchase Site: Click Here
Reviewed by: Reverend Leviathan
Final Score: 4.5 Moons (Out of 5)
I am very particular when it comes to rap music, and this being only the second rap album that I’ve reviewed should speak volumes about how I feel about this artist and release. For those unfamiliar with him, Lex the Hex Master is a rapper from Queens, New York. His influences include artists such as Tupac, DMX, Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie. He signed to Twiztid’s label Majik Ninja Entertainment in 2015. Beyond Redemption is Lex the Hex Master’s second LP, and after the success of Contact and his EPs many fans anticipated this album’s release. It finally dropped on Halloween!
Theme
Opening very strong and dark with the title track, Lex has prepared the listener for a journey into his psyche. Feelings of isolation and suffering abound in the song, sharing details about his childhood and how his experiences have created who he is today; a man “beyond redemption.” Fast forward to “Attributes” as Lex goes through a list of different things that make up his persona. “Shadow Army” (featuring Twiztid, Gorilla Voltage and Reznik) is one of the darker sounding songs, and it’s also a bit more violent than the others. “Shadow Army” originally referred to the street team of the artist.
I’m not sure if the rap style of Beyond Redemption would really be considered horrorcore, but there are definitely horror themes in many of the lyrics. While some songs have the horror element, others have more of an oldschool gangster rap feel. There’s a lot of bass, and deep and low sounding instruments. A few tracks have some nice guitar riffs thrown in, and in the darker songs you get some choirs and droning sounds, and pipe organs, overall providing the listener with eclectic styles.
Lex the Hex Master’s logo
Presentation
Lex the Hex Master is by far one of my favorite rappers to date. I have yet to dislike any of his records, and I was definitely anticipating the release of Beyond Redemption. I was worried that I might have been a little too excited and hyped, and that I’d be disappointed in the album; that it wouldn’t live up to Contact. Wrong!
The production on this album was great. Instrumentation is mixed very well, not overpowering the vocals nor taking away from his style of rhyme. I really dug the guitar on some of the tracks (“Attributes,” “Broken,” and “Bully Foot”) and I always enjoy a darker atmosphere with deep, low notes, and Lex definitely has a lot of that on this album. And lyrically speaking, Lex does an amazing job of expressing his frustrations in rhymes that flow very well.
My favorite tracks beyond a shadow of a doubt are “Beyond Redemption,” “Shadow Army” and “Broken.” They are great examples of the mood of the entire album. “Beyond Redemption” contains the dark, bass heavy sound that I like, while “Shadow Army” not only has some great guests but also contains the eerie sounding choirs and gets even darker. I love the guitars in “Broken,” and I can relate to that song the most.
Lex the Hex Master and Reverend Leviathan on The Murder Tour
Gothic Fit
There is a dark atmosphere over the album that should draw any Goths who have an eclectic musical taste; much darker than any mainstream rapper one might be familiar with. The feelings of not belonging, and being cast aside by God are emotions that most of us have experienced in the scene. Horror themes in some of the songs would also be quite appealing to the Gothic listener, with the music sounding almost as if Nox Arcana produced a couple of the tracks.
Closing Thoughts
Either Lex the Hex Master has cast a spell over his listeners, or Beyond Redemption is just filled with natural musical magic that continues to entice his fans!
Theme: 4.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Presentation: 5.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Gothic Fit: 3.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Final Score (not an average): 4.5 Moons (out of 5.0)
