Ice-T's metal band Body Counts fifth effort, Manslaughter delivers what to me is not only the very best set they have ever compiled. But also a metal masterpiece that no doubt will leave its mark and be spoken about for a long way down the road. There are just way too many high-points in this album to actually just point out a few. There are twelve tracks on this album that are just relentless with more than a few of them I guess that will leave deeper scars than others. The album starts out with a song called "Talk Sh*t Get Shot" - Understanding Ice-T's background and use of street corner justice. The song really speaks for itself. And the video for the song pretty much spells it out. I'll just leave that one right there. "Pray For Death" is another one that rings your bell. Song #3 -"Back To Rehab" - That ditty relates to just about everybody that has someone in their life that they care about who has a chemical dependency issue. But he also indicates that the disease has no boundaries and reminds those that have this disease to start thinking about the people that love them. Emotionally heavy song�..And not the only one on this set.

Track #4 -"Institutionalized 2014" should be on your iPod the second you get done reading this review. Inspired by Suicidal Tendencies song "Institionalized" which came out on their debut album in 1983. This version reveals issues we deal with in our modern society. Like when you are being bitched at by your wife or girlfriend when you wanna play XBOX and waste your cyber opponents with an AK47 after work to relax. Or when some a**hole tells you what you are eating for lunch is bad for you when all you are trying to do is escape your boss for 30 minutes and enjoy a ham sandwich�..Sound trivial doesn't it? When you are on the verge of beautiful chaos like Ice-T and his band mates, this is anything but trivial. Anything but ordinary. It is all the reason they need to have to just detonate. This song is going to get a TON of play. If you liked the original version of this song�.You will hold this one even more dearly to your heavy metal heart. Own it Now!

The title track "Manslaughter" is just an awesome tune and this is where I hear the tones of life's lessons according to the school of Body Count. In the heart of the record with songs like "Pop Bubble" , "Get A Job" and the powerful anthem "Enter The Dark Side" the band digs into their dark past and paints a raw picture of what life has to offer a lot of our post high school generation. Not just the kids from the hood either. The whole damn lot of them.

Like I mentioned at the top of this review there are just too many great things about this record to get knee deep about. Body Count loosens up a little in the last quarter of the album with what will be a new metal classic entitled "Bitch In The Pit" which really doesn't need any description. Again, a classic none the less. "Voo Doo Sex" which is a great song about some Cajun lovin' down in New Orleans is maybe the only average cut on the record. But the album closes out with two more very very strong efforts, "I Will Always Love You" & "Wanna Be a Gangsta". In light of all of the negative press involving our nations Veterans Administration "I Will Always Love You" could not be more apropos. And may I go on the record as saying thank you for putting this one on the album. I have a lot of friends and family who have served our country for one. And for two, understanding how completely out of hand the suicide rate is for our returning vets from the Middle East, this song needs to get out there.

This album IS a Metal Masterpiece. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Ice-T on vocals, Ernie C on Lead Guitar, Ill Will (Will Dorsey Jr.) on drums Vincent Price on bass, Sean E Sean on backing vocals and sampler, plus newest member, Juan of the Dead on rhythm guitar are Body Count. They have put their feet in the ground and are firmly planted and are ready to charge. Look the f*** out for it too, cuz this one is for realz mother-f**kers. This album gets 5 out of 5 stars on hardcore scale. Get this record period.