Since first forming back in 2004, Melbourne-based live hiphop / funk five-piece Illzilla have certainly experienced considerable success, winning JJJ’ “Unearthed’ Victorian round, before going on to perform at both The Falls Festival and the 2007 DMC Championships Australian Finals alongside the likes of Peanut Butter Wolf and Mix Master Mike. Based around a live rhythm section featuring acclaimed local reggae / dancehall producer Jake “Mista’ Savona on keyboards and ex-Blue King Brown member Julian Goyma on drums, Illzilla certainly occupy the more “live band’-oriented end of the hiphop spectrum, providing a fluid backdrop for frontman MC Mantra’ (Awakenings Crew / Equills) social commentary-laden lyrics. From the outset here, it’s obvious that the predominant lyrical themes here are the unsustainability and disconnection inherent in modern 21st century life, something reflected in both the dystopian title and Mantra’ lyrical descriptions of “cannibal scavengers” on the acoustic guitar-centred opening track, as well as “Break Loose’s “beware of the horrors that you do not see” chorus hook.
Throughout the predominant focus of the more than capable backing arrangements falls upon smoky, blaxploitation-inflected funk, with “Milk And Honey’ slide into lazy jazz horns offering up one of the most tasty laidback offerings here, while “As We Slept’s eerie minor keys provide the perfect edge to a lyrical tale that takes in both sweatshop workers and civilians in Baghdad being bombed by US forces. As for the roster of guests called into service here, it’s equally impressive, taking in the likes of Kaya’ Jeremedy and Juleiaah Boehm, ragga vocalist Jornick (who contributes a spectacular vocal to the dancehall-based “All In’) and Elf Tranzporter who appears on the electro-informed “Movement Moving’ – a serious highlight of this set. An excellent debut that’s likely to appeal to fans of the similar politically conscious The Herd.
