Slaughterhouse

As Royce Da 5'9" describes he and his group members as Voltron, coming together as one being, adding arms to body to legs to head, the super group, Slaughterhouse, already references themselves as the all powerful Transformer. Piecing together already formidable parts into one wrecking machine.

And a transformation is much needed for these four lyricists. After label disputes, and failure to turn buzz into fame, rappers Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5'9" joined forces to assemble Slaughterhouse; a fusion of West Coast, East Coast, and Midwest talents.

Luckily though, the four MCs are a ferocious team, each bringing intensity that seethes hunger. That very Transformers allusion is made on the group's opening cut from their self titled debut, "Sound Off." The group makes their presence known, with each member boasting credentials and accelerating their flow mid verse just for good measure.

Shortly after, "Microphone" turns aggression into clever threats over an Alchemist beat that makes each verse sound like it's sneaking up behind you.

The best part of "Slaughterhouse" isn't the tone, but the skill set of these independently talented artists. Not only are Joe, Crooked, Joell, and Royce complementary to each other, but every track they jump on together becomes a competition; who can deliver the sickest 16. And more often than not it's a close race.

"Onslaught 2," the group's most energetic song, has each rapper attack the mic with urgency, passion, and killer instincts.

While the members of Slaughterhouse have suffered career setbacks, and precarious feuds (see their current one with Wu-Tang Clan) there's nothing soft or timid about their debut release. It's everything a group record should be: the whole being greater, and far more powerful, than the sum of its parts.