With
Mannibalector, horrorcore rapper
Brotha Lynch Hung brings his trilogy of serial killer-inspired concept albums to a close, and while that sounds limited and niche, this narrow monster debuted at number 67 on the Billboard 200 chart, so negative fascination just might be rampant. Or, it just might be that
Hung is a craftsman, kicking off this horror movie on wax with a TV news report that gives up the back-story and then goes full Hollywood, joining skits, numerous sound effects, and a relentless, blockbuster pace, all making this an album worth avoiding if it's dark. Leave a light on as the rapper goes inside the killer's mind during "Krocadil" and kicks skeletons out of closets at a breakneck
Twista pace, then hide the kids when "Something About Susan" comes round, because it's brutal and more "adults only" ("She let me put the Ruger up in the anal") than any of those Jason or Freddie flicks. While it hurts to laugh, the mixing of hip-hop history and wit ("I ate his insides out, nobody knew what happened/I ran down the avenue, all red like
Mack 10") gives up a sick joke to cherish during "Can I Have a Napkin?," or if
ICP-sized displays of theatrics and gore are what's required, there's "Stabbed," with
Tech N9ne and
Hopsin waving their knives at the very idea of subtlety. Slight spoiler alert: there's a swerve at the end that should have fans of the trilogy talking for hours, and while this is the big payoff delivered in a suitably flashy and foul body bag, don't start here, because that's cheating. Check Dinner and a Movie and
Coathanga Strangla before taking on this wild and wicked finish. ~ David Jeffries