More about: Cypress Hill

Hip-hop behemoths Cypress Hill return with their tenth album Back In Black tomorrow (18 March), and just like the AC/DC album that shares its title, it’s a straight-to-the-point collection of tracks that remind you exactly why the group are so highly thought of in hip-hop circles and beyond.

The follow up to 2018's Elephants on Acid sees the Hill return to the pure hip-hop roots that they honed on classic albums like their self-titled debut and follow ups Black Sunday and III (Temples Of Boom)—and they sound just as important as they did when they first emerged.

Cypress Hill have never been shy to embrace others genres, from rock and metal to funk, and of course those Latino influences will always shine through. But Back In Black is a pure hip-hop album, and sees Cypress Hill sound re-energised and ultimately fresher than it has been in years. Maybe time doing others projects has refreshed the members of the group (B-Real in Prophets Of Rage, Sen Dog in Powerflo and Muggs doing albums with everyone from Meyhem Lauren and Rome Streetz to Flee Lord and Tha God Fahim) but whatever the reason, Cypress Hill are on fire on this album with everything from the the rhymes to the beats on point throughout. 

Tracks like 'Takeover', 'The Original' and 'Break Of Dawn' go hard while the Boogie Down Productions homage 'Bye Bye'—plus the honouring of 2Pac and weed (with an interpolation of the letters Hail Mary) that is 'Come With Me'—salute hip-hop to the fullest. Guests are left to a minimum on the album with only features by Demrick on the assured funk of 'Certified' and Dizzy Wright on 'Back In Black's first single 'Bye Bye'. Both are brilliant, but it’s the core trio of B-Real, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs that take control as they roll back the years with the sound they have pioneered since they first emerged in the early 1990s.

The tracks on Back In Black are precise and straight to the point—and the album as a whole is both a nod to Cypress Hill's past and its future. Not many groups sound as good as this so far into their career, but Cypress Hill have mastered, honed and expanded their sound throughout their career. Taking it back to the start with this record has been an inspired move. 

Back In Black arrives 18 March via Cypress Hill Musik/BMG.

Issue Three of the Gigwise Print magazine is preselling now! Order here.

More about: Cypress Hill