Disco de MF Doom: “Venomous Villain”

Good second album from MF Doom's alias Viktor Vaughn. Strange lyrics, strange beats. (What you already expect from the Metal Face Villain.) (Samples come from everywhere.)

Like the first V.Vaughn album.

All of the tracks are produced by other underground and up-and-coming producers and has guest appearances by other rappers on the Insomniac label. (But don't be fooled -- Manchild on the album is a different MC from the Manchild in Swollen Members.)

*Also, finally the mad villain meets the insane MC - Kool Keith (Dr. Dooom, Dr. Octagon, etc.) Probably the best track. Great rhymes, kick @ss beat (using an old KRS-1 sample "you've got to have style"), and great scratches.

The album's excutive producer is IZ-Real (who also rhymes on a track), who also brought the world - MIC PLANET SESSIONS and DRASTIC JUNGLE (hiphop meets drum and bass album).

And the album, as many of Doom's releases is enhanced

*The only thing that I hated (and why I didn't give it 5 stars) was that the album was short and like the King Geedorah album, Doom doesn't rhyme enough.

The album is 32 minutes and 53 seconds, and Doom only rhymes for 9 minutes and 30 seconds on the whole thing! (Damn.)

Garcia must be trippin, production on this cd is sick and so are the beats. MF Doom a.k.a. Viktor Vaughn is never less than amazing- best Mc in the world- ever. Yeah I said it and I've heard all the underground Mc's from scribblejam and everything else; theres a lot of cats on the mic with crazy mad skills, but no equal challengers for the super villian. Venomous Villain is I believe the sickest cd with MF Doom on it yet, I just hope there can be an equal follow up. This is truly the next level for hip hop and if you don't agree than you probrably don't have the ear to recognize. Anybody thats into real hip hop not that fake s*** will dig this. It never gets tired. You can't fade it. Thanks for reading my review from L.A. ..peace

Viktor Vaughn, one of MF Doom's many aliases, is among his most interesting in my opinion. MF Doom has stated in several interviews that Viktor Vaughn is a teenage version of himself. So writing as Viktor Vaughn wraps up a certain amount a nostalgia for the Metal Fingered Villain. Therefore, the topics, lyrics and mood is drastically different from a standard MF Doom solo release. MF Doom produces, Viktor Vaughn does not; therefore, this project differs from the bunch to extremes. The slew of producers include newcomer System D-128, Diplo (a.k.a. Diplodocus, Wes Diplo), newcomer DiViNCi, Swamburger, newcomer Session 31, DJ I.N.C., Dub-L, and The Analears; with additional production/scratching by DJ Sure Shot, DJ Escher, and veteran Kut Masta Kurt. Once again, Doom has quite the ear for talent. The results sound somewhat experimental, but very good. Naysayers will have you believe the production is weak because of all the new talent, but is simply untrue. As usual, Doom and company completely avoid any and all fads of your standard hip-hop record, making this another quality "not to be slept on" release.

The album's first big bang is the futuristic beauty of "Back End", which transitions into the humorous "Fall Back / Titty Fat" nicely. "Doom On Vik" adds a bit of insight into the alias of Viktor Vaughn. The two major standouts have got to be "R.A.P. G.A.M.E." featuring Iz-Real and Manchild, and the relentless scratching of "Doper Skiller" featuring Kool Keith and scratches by DJ Sure Shot. The rest of the album is a bit hard to separate, but it ends up being a strong point. It's a compelling and unique listen from beginning to end. It may not have it the nail on the head quite like "Vaudeville Villain" (2003) did; but it's a different, unexpected change that is sure to attract any Doom fan.

This album is by no means garbage, just not quite up to par compared to his other ish. My main problem with this CD is that it doesn't even feel like a DOOM album, its more like listening to an Insomniac compilation or something. My other main dissapointment was with Kool Keith's verse, its not exactly wack, but it wasn't dope either. My expectations for that track were rather high though. Aside from those complaints I still feel like I got my moneys worth with Venomous Villain. Standouts include "Fall Back/Titty Fat", "R.A.P. G.A.M.E.", and "Bloody Chain". The beats on this one are a lot better than Vaudeville, if DOOM would have rhymed more on this it would have been a 5* joint.

You know...I didn't expect too much after realization of the length of the album, just about 33 min. Good call on my part. Pro's of the album= it's Viktor, his delivery and skill. Also, am a big fan of Manchild from Mars Ill. Beats are abstract, Doom style. No disappointment here. Con's of the album= way too short, not nearly enough rhyme time. Nonetheless, Vaughn has an ingenius way of making prospective garbage into seemingly ok stuff. Not a must have, however, not a sleep on. Judgement call.

P.S. Great Doom albums: Operation Doomsday, Mm...Food.