The Dropout Kings are a trap metal outfit from Phoenix, Arizona consisting of Adam Ramey & Eddie Wellz on the mic, Chucky Guzman & Stait Flynn on guitars, Rob Sebastian on bass & finally Joe Lana Jr. on drums & percussion. They first made their mark in 2018 off their full-length debut AudioDope & gained more momentum a couple years later with their debut EP GlitchGang, which resulted in them signing to Suburban Noize Records the following spring. And as the 2-year mark of the Dropout Kings’ new label deal approaches, they’re further cementing themselves as the future of the Spade by delivering their sophomore album albeit Subnoize debut.
“Hit Like This” sets the tone for what’s to come with it’s guitar/hi-hat tinged instrumental & the angrily delivered lyrics making sure their music be hitting you unlike any other whereas “Dark Energy” truly lives up to it’s name from the explosive trap metal production to the subject matter discussing doing what they want & not giving a fuck about the industry “Fighter Jet” almost has a bit of an old school LINKIN PARK vibe instrumentally (i.e. Hybrid Theory & Meteora) declaring themselves as the flyest leading into “Pull Up” bringing back the hi-hats & guitars talking about how they can’t lose.
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However, we go into more melodic territory on “Demons” as the the Dropout Kings wish everyone would just stay in their lane just before “Lights Out” comes through with an empowering ballad about failure not being an option even though I’m not head over heels for the DED feature truthfully. The title track however follows that up with a warmongering mosh pit anthem staying grounded in their trap metal roots, but then “Tofu” blends an atmospheric backdrop with some more hi-hats & guitars talking about being unable to be held back.
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“No Notoriety” continues to draw inspiration from nu-metal era LINKIN PARK as far as sound goes down to the Chester Bennington-esque hook admitting that they have to find another way to right their wrongs while “Been G.O.A.T.” dives back into trap metal territory flexing their skills. The track “Vacuum Cleaner” goes straight forward rap metal bragging about getting head in their new whips while the penultimate song “Tell Me” takes a more melodic, acoustic trap route singing about wanting to hear what their lovers think of them. “Hey Uh” finishes the album with 1-last trap metal ballad about stealing the bitches of those who be cappin’.
If you wanna hear a group blend the styles of acts like City Morgue or even fellow Suburban Noize signees (həd) p.e., then you’re gonna want to give Riot Music a listen because it further exemplifies that the Dropout Kings are the future of the spade. Eddie & Adam both make the case that they’re the best MCs in metal as they reintroduce their signature sound to a wider audience.
Score: 9/10