Sawblade EP cover

Sawblade EP

Gangrene · 2010

25 min · 8 tracks · hip-hop

A gritty fusion of raw beats and incisive lyricism, showcasing the duo's unique approach to underground hip-hop.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Sickness — This track encapsulates the EP's raw energy with its aggressive beats and sharp lyrics that critique societal issues, setting a tone for the entire release.
  • →
    Operating Room — With its eerie atmosphere and vivid imagery, this track showcases the duo's storytelling capabilities while maintaining the project's dark aesthetic.
  • →
    Freshest Rhymes — This track highlights the duo's lyrical dexterity, blending clever wordplay with a catchy hook that stands out amidst the darker themes of the EP.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
51 /100
Foothills
Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong lyrical content and unique production, solidifying its place in underground hip-hop.

What we noticed

  • The first four tracks feature aggressive beats and rapid-fire lyrics, while the last four are instrumental versions of those same tracks.
  • Each vocal track is tightly structured, with verses that alternate between the two artists without a clear chorus.
  • The production employs a lo-fi aesthetic, with gritty samples and heavy bass lines that create a raw atmosphere.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The Sickness 2:54
  • 2 Operating Room 3:33
  • 3 Freshest Rhymes 3:34
  • 4 Overdose 2:34
  • 5 The Sickness (instrumental) 2:54
  • 6 Operating Room (instrumental) 3:33
  • 7 Freshest Rhymes (instrumental) 3:34
  • 8 Overdose (instrumental) 2:34

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata