Gutter Tactics provides a new take on old subjects

Dälek and Okt0pus are not afraid to take chances.

By Tom Carbone

Published Feb. 2, 2009

Plenty of people are disheartened by the state of the hip-hop scene.

There are those who think mainstream rappers have watered down the roots of true rap and hip-hop and lyrics and production come as an afterthought to what makes the most money. This year will see the release of some of mainstream rap's most anticipated records, namely Eminem, 50 Cent and Lil' Wayne. But MC Dälek (pronounced Die-Uh-Leck) and producer Okt0pus will also be releasing an experimental hip-hop album that is best described as a hip-hop-laced mix between My Bloody Valentine and Public Enemy.

Although many emcees are influenced by money and fame, Dälek and the Okt0pus, a duo residing in Newark, N.J., have added quite a political theme to their latest effort, Gutter Tactics. The first track, "Blessed Are They Who Bash Your Children's Heads Against A Rock," samples the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's speech made after Sept. 11, a sample that certainly sets the tone for the rest of the record.

Most of the songs on Gutter Tactics have a murky and somber tone to them, something for which the two are most definitely known. The second track on the album, "No Question," contains Okt0pus' trademark industrial, noisy beat along with Dälek emotional and dark lyrics. Dälek makes the claim in this track that "a black president don't ensure sunshine," a sentiment many Americans probably agree with.

The politics don't end there. "Los Macheteros/Spear of a Nation" tells the story of Nelson Mandela in South Africa between a simple beat infused with shotgun blasts. The beat is muddy, the vocals are distorted and the song puts off a signature vibe that Dälek fans are used to by now.

"We Lost Sight," a typical track about the state of hip-hop today, is actually a refreshing take on this not-so-refreshing topic. This song probably puts the least distortion on Dälek's vocals, something the duo doesn't practice very often. The harmony and chorus is a lot warmer on this track, and listeners shouldn't feel dark and sad after hearing it. The title track will definitely appeal to both hip-hop and metal-heads alike. Between the crunchy guitar riffs and Okt0pus' traditional hip-hop scratching, almost everyone will find something they like about this song.

With swirling guitars, driving bass-beats and a seemingly endless slew of topics, Dälek and Okt0pus have put out a record that will rival any major hip-hop release in 2009. Although we do not see many conventional hip-hop elements and influences with Gutter Tactics, the influences we do see are outstanding and unpredictable. Dälek has created a new fusion of sound, resulting in this release going down as one of the most interesting of the year.