Dope Album: “Felons and Revolutionaries”

Truth be known I am no metal or goth metal fan, but this album was worth a listen for the track Debonaire and also the two covers on the CD. Debonaire is the standout track from this release and its a heavy drum barreling tune that is quick, dark and menacing, or just simply a great song, knocking Puff Daddy and his lifestyle. The two covers on this disc are great to listen to including F the Police. I am a fan of Ice Cube, but this version is better than Ice Cube's. It is a bit more mellow than the other tracks on the album and they changed some of the lyrics to match themselves. Other notable songs are Sick which is a rage tune with a nice guitar build up, Wake Up, which will take you to another world with an erie melody. The only down side is that after a while into the CD everything begins to sound the same with heavy guitars, solid drum beats and distorted vocals.

Ok lets get one thing clear. Despite what people say this is NOT a Manson rip-off. What Manson CD have these guys ripped off? It isn't Antichrist, it isn't Mechanical Animals or Holy wood. Portrait of an American Family? No. this is about America and the police and unfair drug treatment and has more of a punk influence. Portrait was about the American Dream and had much less of a punk influence in comparison.

I think this will be Dope's best CD because as of now it looks like a decline. Members have come and gone so fast that Edsel Dope (Vocals/Guitar) is the only one left and his Lyrics become progressively worse with each Album. The 2 members who left after this album, Tripp Eisen (Guitar) and Preston Nash (Drums) were probably some of Dope's best members. I really enjoy the drums on this album as the way they are played gives it a lot of atmosphere. The drums are not godlike, but they're good.

The album is great from tracks 1-9 and track 14. From 10-13 it becomes a little worn in a way. I'm not saying that America the Pitiful is bad because it's anti-American. I'm saying it's a bad song because it simply isn't that good. The two covers on the record are absolutely some of Dope's best works. F*ck the Police is a rap song (N.W.A.) that actually doesn't suck!!! It isn't labeled on the CD but its track 8. My theory is that it was added at the last minute because I've heard a promo version and it isn't on there at all, it isn't hidden or untitled or anything. The Dead or Alive cover is great but it seems to end too soon, like it should have been a minute longer. I'm not sure why the record was re-released with this bonus track but it's really good. The opening track Pig Society is a great opener but it goes a bit downhill with too many unnecessary swears and sounds like it was rushed, it's still good though. The album is filled with catchy songs like Debonaire, Everything sucks and Sick as well as the two covers.

People have given reviews saying that Edsel's voice sounds like Manson's but underwater; this is true, so would many other people if u shoved them underwater, but it's still very different. I would say that there is more of a White Zombie influence then a Manson one. If you like a couple of songs of Dope's and like heavy music I would say go and pick up "Felons" if you have some spare money the next time you go to a store or if you want some Nu-metal (ish) mixed with punk (real punk) then pick this up. I got it for $12 but don't expect to find a great band that will become one of your favorites or change your life in some way. I hope this helped. I'm Out.

"Felons and Revolutionaries" was the debut of Dope, my third favorite band. I bought "Life" before this, and I like it better, but this is still a kick @$$ CD. This is the part where I review the songs:

1.Pig Society-4/5-The first song on the CD, gives you a pretty good idea of what you'll soon be hearing. And, this is also one of the angriest songs on the album. A lot of screaming and yelling, and a lot of anger directed toward the government.

I just wanna say Dope will be big someday, and I can't wait to see 'em live next month. See ya.

Yeah...that's right...I can't. Why? Cuz Manson DIDN'T already do this. Since when did having rebellious lyrics and using voice distortion make you "ripping off" somebody else's music? Felons and Revolutionaries is a great album! It's raw, heavy, and just plain good! A great album to listen to when you're ticked off and you just wanna vent. Honestly, I am not a huge fan of nu-metal. I personally prefer Scandivian metal, but Dope is one nu-metal band that I really enjoy listening to (all 3 albums). They are definitely one of my favorite bands.

And remember people...bands don't sell out, their fans do.

Felons and Revolutionaries is an awesomely energetic and raw debut album from this awesomely underrated nu metal band simply known as Dope. Normally, I don't review too many nu metal albums, I usually prefer reviewing mostly death metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, and melodic death metal albums most of the time, but this is a great, fun album to blast in my CD player every now and then. Dope are one of the most underrated and more underground bands in the nu metal subgenre. Unlike most nu metal bands like Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit (two bands that I both greatly despise) and Korn, Disturbed, Slipknot, and System of a Down (whom all I do enjoy) that all get lots of radio play, Dope hardly get any radio play, or no radio play at all, which seems to be just fine with them, because they simply care more about the music they make and pleasing their fans, more than getting mainstream attention. This album features an awesome and unique mixture of nu metal, industrial, punk (I'm talking about REAL punk), and some speed metal as well that is cocked and loaded with sketchy, yet raw, angry, garbled underwater sounding vocals from frontman Edsel Dope, energetic guitars and drums that will make your heart pump with excitement. These guys really have an awesome sound all in their own, and this album really shows it. While Dope's latter releases including Life (which I also own), Group Therepy, American Apathy, and their most recent No Regrets have a more cleaner sound, this album has a raw, in your face, overall sound, but it still shares that same energy that all the latter albums have. The opening track "Pig Society" is a fast, angry, energetic, and in your face opener that boasts energetic riffing, headbanging drum beats, and angry vocals and lyrics from Edsel Dope towards of course society and the government. Following that are two of Dope's best known cuts "Debonaire" and "Everything Sucks" which both are highlighted by catchy and edgy guitar riffs and awesome vocals and choruses (the chorus in "Everything Sucks" is very cool), and "Sick" is another energetic and addicting cut that is highlighted by an awesome bass riff by then bassist Acey Slade. Other edgy and catchy cuts include "Kimberly's Ghost" and "Spine For You" both feature more melodic vocals from Edsel, and "Intervention" is a fast, headbanging number that boasts pounding Motorhead-esque drumming from skinsman Preston Nash and some brief yet cool leadwork by guitarist Tripp Eisen, and we also have two awesome hardcore covers of N.W.A.'s "F tha Police" and Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me'Round (Like a Record)" that keep the album highly enjoyable. Overall, if you're looking for an awesome album with a bit of nu metal, industrial, REAL punk, and speed metal all in one package with raw, angry, and in your face results, then Dope's Felons and Revolutionaries is exactly what the doctor orderded. Recommended for fans of Marilyn Manson, Ministry, White Zombie/Rob Zombie, Static-X, and Nine Inch Nails.