Plastique

Front Towards Enemy (Rawkus)
by Rich Romaine

The phrase “hip hop metal” brings up a very specific sound, a few specific bands, and probably your lunch. It’s been done. Yawn. BUT, NYC’s Plastique do it differently. The flavor begins immediately in “Touch Someone,” the band’s first single. Beats are laid down smooth, fat distorted guitar is kept in check, and the lone horn moaning is straight outta the Beastie Boys. The co-vocalist, “The Rippa” Armoredilla, lets loose a tripping reggae rant, urban style, to be complemented by Pete Brag’s long-hair rock yelling: Tough, gruff and street smart. The video for the single features pro skateboarders from around the country, including Harold Hunter and other cast members from Kids. It wasn’t until “Fly On” that the similarities to ex-Cult vocalist Ian Astbury became apparent. Luckily, the samples, beats, and rolling bass take it out of that dated death pit. While the single is by far the best song, there are only six songs on this EP, and it’s enough to whet the whistle ’til they release a full-length or play live.