Disco de Molotov: “Apocalipshit”

Fitting Mexico's best rap-metal outfit with the Beastie Boys innovative producer/engineer/mixer works to the advantage of both parties -- Molotov takes its three-way tag team rapping (a la Beastie Boys) into psychedelic metal territory (at times resembling a menacing alternate-universe Smashing Pumpkins); Mario Caldato, Jr., gets to try out decidedly harder edges and actually gets to finish songs (no 90 second sound collages here, again a la Beastie Boys). The two forces have rewritten the rules for rap-metal and crafted one of the most consistent, satisfying records of the genre.

Note to non-Spanish-speakers: DON'T WORRY. For me, the music itself is always more important than the words, and in this case, you don't have to understand a word of Spanish to know that this is a musically good album. The fact that the lyrics -- both in English and Spanish -- are often the sort of goofy rap-rock posturing you'd expect probably makes it a minimal loss for non-Spanish-speakers. There are enough English verses on the disc to get the idea, and there are the full lyrics in the booklet if you need any help (although I guess you are out of luck with the slang, which is used pretty extensively).

So anyway, featuring two bass players, Molotov gives ample attention to the instument. "Step Off" thunders out the gate, pulls back to gird G-funk basslines under Molotov's signature Spanglish rapping, then perfectly alternates the two for the rest of the song. The title track features a demonic belch of "Apolocalypshit," before a speed contest between rapping skills and bass-picking.

Molotov's fondness for genre-bending and Caldato's experimental touches on the disc are perhaps what most set this apart from run-of-the-mill rap-metal. "Undertow" radiates acoustic simplicity through its Peter Frampton voice synthesizers and a vaguely sitar-like solo. The folky roots shine through again on the magnificent "Let it Roll," which somehow manages to seamlessly merge country music with rap-metal. Some of the best tracks are the hardest, including the dancehall-metal "Rastaman-dita," which features the feral, psychotic raps that are the hallmark of any Molotov album. Likewise, the restrained heaviness of "Kuleka's Choice" piles tension on itself and blows off the pressure with some sort of synth-horn effects. "Exorcismo" almosts forgets the music for the first minute before morphing into a Nine Inch Nails track -- albeit an over-the-top NIN song with enraged Mexicans singing in voices escaping through the jaws of Hell.

With the heavy emphasis, here are no purely folky anthems like "Gimme tha Power" from Molotov's first album, although the closest is the wistfully spacy final track "El Mundo" with its resigned chorus lamenting the end of the world. That track is a fabulous way to end an exceptional album -- nostalgic for all that has come before it, a mix of sadness that the voyage is over but happiness that the trip was made at all.

This disc has two very hard-charging songs in "No Manche Mi Vida" and the title track, and some of the others are pretty good, too. Unfortunately, the charm and spirit of "Donde Jugaran" are missing. Too many of the songs sound alike. On the bright side, my Mexican friend thought some of the lyrics were very funny (I'm not nearly fluent enough to catch the wordplay and double meanings).

Este disco de MOLOTOV me dejo un sabor de boca mejor que "donde jugaran las niñas?", el sonido es mucho mejor y las letras no tan tontas, la produccion es mejor y la fuerza de la banda es muy buena, los bajos potentes y la vocalizacion cumple, un buen disco, mucho, mucho mejor que el primero

Molotov is Mexico's best band! The sounds of this album are so dope!

This is an album recommended for any one who likes Rap/hip-hop/Rap-Rock Music, Even if you don't speak Spanish, You don't have to understand a word of Spanish to enjoy Molotov with their catchy tunes and sound. But I'm an El Salvadorian born (half)Spanish speaker myself but I could REALLY understand if you're can't speak Spanish and like the music, Really, you'll most probably!!!! But some of these songs have some rhymes in English.

Molotov is one of my favorite bands, You'll see why if you listen to Them. So Yeah, I'm I think you should get the album and see for your self!!!

Molotov is one of the top bands recording these days, period. This is historic stuff, damn fine music made with passion and humor. Comparisons to Rage Against the Machine give Rage too much credit - - they'll never be this good musically. The sheer musicality and orchestration gets better and better with each subsequent listening. Both Molotov albums are a must for any lover of music sick to death of the crap that most record companies want to call "cutting edge."

I don't speak much Spanish, but the language of music is universal. What can I say? If you don't own this album, buy it now!