They've been around for what seems like forever, but the journey is finally over. Introducing Lethal and Destruction, a name quickly becoming a synonym for 'basslines and biting lyrics', with their first album as a pairing.
Both halves of this highly acclaimed duo have illustrious pasts, Lethal having appeared on a Saturday morning children's Rap phone in at the tender age of 11 and more recently alongside the DnB overmasters MCs Skibadee and Durrty Goodz, while UK DMC finalist Destruction has worked with some of the best in the game in the Big Apple.
This latest release follows a foray of singles which have seen the boys reach number 1 in the 1Xtra charts, and the moreish 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' mixtape, setting up curiosity and anticipation for a full length album.
Step forward 'The Journey', 14 tracks of production providing a very telling almanac of Destruction's ability to produce a multitude of black music genres with Lethal evolving and matching his sidekick beat for beat.
Whilst Uni student based, bedroom MC UKHH isn't necessarily a bad thing, this album shows what can be achieved when said students leaving halls put in the hours. All of the contributions have an air of professionalism, with on point production and perfectly mixed tracks.
Of the prior releases, all three are included in the album, the most known of which is 'So What?', one of the many highlights, taking on a hybrid sound which strikes an image of DnB darkness with a Hip-Hoptastic overlay, just one of the facets exhibited in this fifty three minute mix and match yet intertwined album.
With appearances from Skiba, Sterling Collat's Skeme, and one of the biggest female MCs on road, MC Tor, Lethal and Destruction hit the nail on the head in terms of balance. It all just sounds so, well, 'right'.
'Walk Like A Champion' is an immense insight into Lethal's life, detailing how he has grown, yet still has a little further to advance to overcome his adversaries, using deep lyrics and metaphorical speech that is quickly becoming his forte, a mood which is contrasted with 'Cradle To The Grave', bars upon bars of braggadocios displays of crew one-upmanship, a fashion that no album would be complete without.
Other notable tracks include 'In the Army Now', sampling Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' and the ramblings of an angry youth with decisions to be made, and the Skeme and Laurie Sterling accompanied 'Don Ah Don', the throw back Wild Style sampled offering in a blues stylised beat with a UK evident lyrical ownership.
'The Journey' is out now on iTunes, through Bleak House Records, with a physical release date of April 2nd, 2007.
Rating: 4.5/5
Useful links: www.myspace.com/lethalanddestruction / www.lethalanddestruction.net
Words By: Andrew Milner
