Swan Songs

Swan Songs

• Shrink-wrapped

Hollywood Undead are about to drop a musical bomb. On their debut album (A&M/Octone), they've concocted an explosive cocktail of hip hop, rock and metal, forging an alternative style that's primed to blow the scene up. They craft incisive, sharp and sarcastic raps that slash the jugular of mainstream pop culture. They aren't your standard rap or rock crew. They're something new, dangerous, funny and alive. Deuce busts out the melodies. Johnny 3 Tears, J-Dog and Charlie Scene lead the lyrical charge, while Funny Man drops rhymes, and Da Kurlzz hypes the fray. Donning individual masks, Hollywood Undead possess a dark aesthetic that's connected to their hometown's depravity. Tracks like "No. 5" dissect the frivolities of Hollywood with witty, catchy choruses. Album opener "Undead," sets the tone, firing off a big melody and buoyant beats. Meanwhile, "Los Angeles" examines the town's gritty edge. Rising to prominence via MySpace, these six masked marauders stood at number one on the site's music chart, leading to endless friend requests and plays. However, Hollywood Undead has got the gusto to be earth shattering far beyond cyberspace. They're already knocking at your door, and they're about to break it down.