Low by Testament
Low is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Testament. Released October 4th, 1994 this would be Testament's last album with Atlantic Records, leading band members to create their own label Burnt Offerings Inc. as part of the change. "Low" was recorded with original band members Chuck Billy (vocals), Eric Peterson (guitar) and Greg Christian (bass) and saw the first of two Testament album appearances by artist John Tempesta (drums) and three for artist James Murphy (guitar). Long time Testament collaborator Del James is also given composer and vocal credits on the album. A music video was made for the title track
On his debut album Plies fills a niche previously occupied by rappers such as Young Buck. Rather than rely on purist rhyme skills, this Fort Myers, Florida, native puts a premium on his ghetto credentials. His point of view doesn’t deviate from the no-nonsense attitude of a street-bred hustler, but Plies is not without insight. “100 Years” is a vicious indictment of a justice system that favors the majority: “How in the f**k can four birds get you a life sentence? / But give a cracker seven years for money launderin' millions.” “Hypnotized” and “Shawty” exemplify the winning formula (perfected in recent years by Florida artists like DJ Khaled, T-Pain, and Flo Rida) in which a rough-and-ready rapper is paired with a sweetened club singer. However Plies’ signature songs are the ones that describe his ruffian lifestyle, club-hopping and cruising the streets with a posse of “goons.” “1 Mo Time,” “I Am the Club,” and “Goons Lurkin” are less about subject matter than unadulterated attitude, and they provide a near-perfect merger of club music adrenaline and gangsta rap menace.
