Artist: Jus AllahTitle: All Fates Have ChangedRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman
Fans have eagerly waited five long years for Jus Allah’s solo debut. As the unofficial third member of Jedi Mind Tricks, he played an integral role in shaping their classic underground album Violent By Design. However, soon after Jus Allah had a falling out with Vinnie Paz and Stoupe, and they parted ways with each other. Jedi Mind Tricks then went on to release two solid albums, while Jus faded into obscurity. Now with his long awaited solo debut All Fates Have Changed (Babygrande Records), Jus Allah looks to regain his dominance in the underground scene. Unfortunately, without Stoupe behind the boards, Jus fails to make the same impact that he did on Violent By Design.
Jus Allah has always been a controversial artist with a take no sh*t approach. His brutal lyrics and aggressive demeanor commands respect every time out. It is clear that Jus does not care about anyone or anything on All Fates Have Changed, and is only out to rip competitors’ heads off. While Jus Allah stays lyrically consistent on the album, unfortunately the production is a let down. Agallah’s quirky keys and southern semblance on “Tomorrow” makes for an awkward effort, as Jus stumbles off beat with his murderous verses. “P#### Flick B######” is another uncharacteristic attempt from Jus that is all too predictable. In addition, “This Is For Y’all” finds Jus stumbling over Agallah’s repetitive keys and inept drums.
When Jus Allah is able to receive the necessary improvements in production is when All Fates Have Changed starts to resemble the album fans hoped for. Agallah’s spacey keys on “Supreme” and “G.O.D.” provide the necessary backdrop for Jus to provide his usual assortment of bloodthirsty lyrics that are not for the faint of heart. The album also features a variety of unique collaborative efforts, such as “Pool Of Blood” featuring The GZA. While producer Zach Johnson’s haunting score is somewhat simplistic, GZA is able to steal the show with his verse. Thankfully, Zach Johnson rebounds nicely with his best Stoupe impersonation on “Eyes Of A Disciple” featuring Bomshot & Shabazz The Disciple. The remix to “Supreme” featuring Chief Kamachi & Bomshot is another notable effort, as Kamachi shows everyone why he is the true underground king in Philly with lines like, “Hell’s here, heaven can’t handle it, in the dark I keep the mirrors on the mantel lit. Evil genius, black candles channel it. Cult status, possessed by the amulet”.
With spotty production All Fates Have Changed is hardly worth the wait. With better direction and a stronger team around him, Jus Allah is capable of producing the type of album fans have expected of him since Violent By Design. But until he gathers the right assortment of producers, that album may never come to fruition.