Drums of Death - DJ Spooky vs Dave Lombardo

Obviously, this is an odd pair: DJ Spooky, a turntablist veteran who has remixed a score of artists, as well as produced solo material blending jazz and hip-hop, and Dave Lombardo, the drummer for notorious metal band Slayer. This seems to be an exercise in conjoining opposites, finding the junction between a black turntablist and a white metal drummer with the help of some well-known friends, namely Chuck D. However, just how well it works is questionable. The tracks that comprise Drums of Death are divided into two camps: one being beat-heavy instrumentals and the other being near-rap-rock tracks. Of course, the musicians behind this album elevate it above the Limp Bizkit types, but Drums of Death definitely consciously features a guitar-heavy arsenal, most notably on the three Public Enemy remakes in which Chuck D lends his vocals to. Those tracks are unquestionable highlights, but another gem is “Assisted Suicide” that has Dalek’s raw, rabid voice layered atop the pounding hip-hop drums and buzzing guitar notes. Still, despite the album’s highpoints, Drums of Death simply fails as an entity as the remaining tracks are messy, tepid takes on hip-hop. The mix of Lombardo’s fast-paced beat-keeping and Spooky’s sliced beats is definitely interesting, but this album is too uneven to reveal its true potential. [www.thirstyear.com]