Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Back in Cross Rhythms 57 Alex Figgis enthused about Kosher's debut EP 'Virtual Criminal' and with the title track getting Cross Rhythms radio play, the time is now ready for a full album's worth. The same elements that made the hard hitting rap-core of 'Virtual Criminal' so engaging are evident here with Mo Sullivan's croaking vocals pushed to the max by the ferociously jagged guitar lines of Mike Spear. Standouts are the spine-tingling denouncement of a lying culture title track, where the elements of an eerie guitar riff, semi-spoken vocals and funky rhythm samples combine to make a truly arresting opener. The impact is maintained. Cut ups from all manner of sources play against dazzling studio effects, pile-driving guitars and vocals, (whispered and bawled, croaked and screamed), gell in a roller coaster of mutant hardcore dynamics. Just grab those eerie effects on "Defcom", the rapid rap on "Rat Race" or that chilling, bawled hook "black is black" on "Kilderednek". Lyrics are in the main dark, brooding denouncements of a culture spiralling out of control. There are spiritual references, "Evolution Is A Lie" makes reference to a Heaven where there is no pain while "Revelation Manna" speaks of the dynamics of spiritual understanding breakthrough. Mostly though, the band's lyrical approach is poetic and oblique rather than the spell-out-the-Gospel approach of the subculture. In the same way that the sadly missed Dub War brought a fresh take on hard music, these guys have the chops to be every bit as influential. Britain's answer to P.O.D. have arrived.

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