Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars

During the height of its reign the mighty Wu-Tang Clan co-signed countless affiliates and satellite artists. Many were marginally skilled friends and families, but one of those crews was really something special. Their name was Killarmy. Comprised of (RZA's brother) 9th Prince, Islord, Dom Pachino, Shogun Assassin, Baretta 9, Killa Sin, and chief producer 4th Disciple, the Ohio-based squadron blazed a path of destruction and chaos in its music, focusing unapologetically hardcore lyrics on world war, organized terrorism, shadow governments, and social collapse. Stylistically Killarmy sounds a lot like first generation Wu, with posse-cut rhyme volleys, cinematic samples, and dirty beats that are alternately melancholy and triumphant. Though released in 1997, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars plays like the perfect post-traumatic stress soundtrack, essentially predicting the soon-to-come holy wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on military-minded cuts like "Dress to Kill," "Blood for Blood," and "5 Stars." Killarmy went on to release two more solid albums, before fading into obscurity shortly after 9/11.