Multiple genres create a big bang

Ho99o9 (pronounced “horror”) celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with the release of Skin. Skin is the group’s first studio album since United States of Horror was released in 2017. In the 5 years between each album release, Ho99o9 has kept busy releasing numerous mixtapes, singles and music videos.

Ho99o9 takes inspiration from multiple different genres. Their music is a combination of punk rock, hip-hop and punk rap which creates a refreshing feeling for the listener.

Ho99o9’s lineup has remained the same for the past ten years. Founding members theOGM and Eaddy created the group in their home state of New Jersey and have remained a part of the group since the start. In 2016, Ho99o9 recruited Brandon Pertzborn on drums and in 2020 added Billy Rymer as touring drummer. With the release of Skin, Ho99o9 celebrates its tenth anniversary and does so with a bang.

The music on Skin is crafted exceptionally well, containing diverse instrumentals and giving off a futuristic feeling. Skin, like many other of Ho99o9’s previous music, does not fit any one genre. Skin takes heavy inspiration from punk rock, rap and hip hop. This fusion of three wildly different genres creates an amazingly fresh feeling that does not tie the album down to any one specific category of music.

The lyrical content fits nicely with the instrumentals. The album incorporates a wide range of interests that have a pessimistic, but charming theme. The futuristic songs throughout Skin feel new between each track and take on a whole host of subjects. Skin can pay homage to the notorious Marion “Suge” Knight on songs like “NUGE SNIGHT” while others like “BATTERY NOT INCLUDED” are purely telling of the group’s pessimistic worldview.

The best songs on Skin include “LOWER THAN SCUM,” “BATTERY NOT INCLUDED” and “SLO BREAD.” All 3 songs showcase the group’s talented musical production abilities with the futuristic, dark theme, but in different ways. “BATTERY NOT INCLUDED” and “LOWER THAN SCUM” are telling of the group’s pessimistic worldview, while “SLO BREAD” is telling of the group member’s dark past.

Skin is an exceptional way for Ho99o9 to celebrate its tenth anniversary as a group. Ho99o9 thrives with its distinctive musical tone and content that is familiar in its theme, but refreshing for its blend of different genres. The instrumentals are deadly and unique for their futuristic feeling. Coupled with the deadly instrumentals are the incredible vocals, which enhance the instrumentals with their thematic meanings.