Once again, it's the return of the madface, the three angriest MCs in hip-hop, Onyx. With their third album, they prove that despite starring roles in TV sitcoms and films, Onyx the rap group is here to stay. SHUT 'EM DOWN plays on the same topics as the last two albums, adding yet another volume to the horror rap collection.
Sonee Seeza, Fredro, and Sticky Fingaz exchange excited verses on almost every cut. On "Shut 'Em Down" which features DMX, the rappers close the case on phony MCs that dare to test their skills. "Onyx Vs. Wu-Tang" is a hype posse cut which includes verses from members of the Wu, and gives the two cliques a chance to coexist on the same track. Throughout, the production is hardcore straight-up, no chaser.