Ultra_eko lumbers through with a heaviness on the intense trip of “Venom”. Within this singular sound he creates a whole dark and eerie universe. His flow cuts to the bone for the verses are pointed, sharp, and relevant. Right from the very beginning he seems to have crafted a rather timeless sound. The foreboding that reigns supreme over the experience is palpable. A clever array of styles gets brought into the sound from hard rap to trap to little snippets of industrial to give it that haunted edge. Vocals however prove to be the true hallmark for there is an urgency, a desperation that defines the best of rap. Both old school and contemporary, there is a cryptic quality to the way the many patterns merge together.
Nods to some of the greats emerge over the course of the track. Due to the extremely heavy subject matter, Biggie Smalls appears to be a key influence. Whilst this is technically across the pound, the washed-out urban greys that Biggie used to great effect come through quite brilliantly on this track. Going on the more modern side of things, the rather haunted presence that the song radiates throughout gives it that experimental edge that Danny Brown has used in a lot of his Warp Records output, for there is a gloom to it. However, the sound does have a distinctive, feel it in the bones aspect that is absolutely entrancing. Volume is not a must it is a given. This crushes virtually every single thing in its path.
The echo of the sound is looped in a way that gives it a hypnotic stance right from the very first moment. From there the rest of the arrangement gradually comes into place. His voice however solidifies all of it. Done with such dignity, there is a wildness to it. Bass here has a furious intention, for the song has a rumbling force of nature quality to it. Melody refuses to let any light in, just like the vocals themselves. Percussion has a snap to it, for its elasticity has a grandeur to it. Worming on through the low-end refuses to be ignored. A defiance of sorts emerges for there is a feral, animalistic energy. So much attempts at trying to conform has led to this – a desire to completely and fully break free.
“Venom” shows off the exquisite charm of Ultra_eko in pushing the hip-hop sound forward, towards a darker and more meaningful approach.
