Venomous Villian

Personnel include: Viktor Vaughan AKA MF Doom (vocals); Kool Keith, Mars Ill, Poison Pen, Iz-Real, Carl Kavorkian, Doom.
Producers: System D-128; Dub-L; DiViNCi; Swamburger.
On VENOMOUS VILLAIN, hip-hop's reigning bad guy is back for his second album. The brainchild of underground MC Daniel Dumile--AKA MF Doom and King Geedorah--Viktor Vaughn combines a comic-book visual sense with futuristic production values to create something wholly original. As on the first Viktor Vaughn release, VAUDEVILLE VILLAIN, Dumile steps from behind the mixing boards to let mostly unknown producers lay the groundwork (System D-128, Diplo, DiViNCi, and others). The result is more music in that vein--off-kilter, melodic tracks that reflect as much of an electronica sensibility as hip-hop ("Fall Back/Titty Fat," "Bloody Chain"). "Back End" is worth the price of admission alone, as Viktor delivers an eye-opening narrative on top of System D-128's constantly shifting beat. The Kool Keith collaboration "Doper Skiller" is another highlight. The only problem with VENOMOUS VILLAIN is that it's too short, clocking in at only 30 minutes long. Hopefully, other Vaughn releases will get the full-length treatment.