The Swollen Members are opening ears all the way from Canada. Prevail and Madchild have put together one of the illest albums I have ever heard with the European version of "Balance." The domestic version of the album does not drop until 9/14/99. And for those of you who already have the album there is a limited edition version out there. It has a purple cover, so if you have copped this and don’t know what you have, consider yourself a lucky head.


The first track off of the album, "Front Street," produced by the alchemist; not only impressed me but it hyped me up as to what the rest of the album would be like. Madchild throws out some nice lines. "I’m a bad man baseball bat in your brains like bam bam/ask me if I give a damn/never that I’m puttin emcees on front street/my techniques complete when I compete/I’m knockin this one straight out the box so take a seat/getting rich I focus on strength/plus I’m throwing lyrical flames here’s the pitch/you can end up in a ditch/that’s already been dug/I came up with crazy kids plus got love from thugs/I’m pulling yo plug flat line when you attack mine/


As I listen to this album, I wonder where have the Swollen Members been all my life? They started off the album with an ill track, and as the album progressed all the tracks seemed to get doper by the minute."Lady Venom," was the next track that really caught my attention not only with it’s beat but with it’s meaning. From what I picked up I feel as if this song may have something to do with the Holocaust. That is the impression that I got from a verse from Prevail. "Vomiting from the quarantine praying for the end/you can tell by the stench that the venom’s settin in/all the pain in which you reign is classified as do or die/but in the realm in which we dwell its function x, a multiplier/imagine the madness/the return of the Jew from Nazareth/the hunter and the hunted/the colonized and the savages/they only challenge is they bringing up dirt to bury us/be aware I hunt with The Daughters of Seribis/where we’re goin don’t stress they’ll be plenty of time to rest/close the curtains brace your sternum this is just a contest./ I respect the fact that the Swollen Members can speak about tragic events in history, and at the same time, teach the listeners a little more and make your head nod all at once. That’s mad talent and creativity right there.


There were quite a few guest appearances on the album. Collaborations included Aceyalone, Del, Mix Master Mike, Divine Styler, Everlast, Saafir, Tony De Skitzo, Son Doobie of Funkdoobiest, and Dilated Peoples. The track "Counter Parts," (feat. Iriscience, Evidence of Dilated Peoples) was one of my favorite tracks on the album.


The Swollen Members have definitely dropped a gem for us with the European version of their debut, "Balance." I suggest you get this album as soon as you can, it’s a must buy.