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In the underground we as fans see a wide variety of styles and delivery due to the widespread appeal of horrorcore and underground hip hop. Mobstyle Music found its footing in Louisville Kentucky led by none other than Bukshot.  In 1997 his release of Welcome to the Ville marked his first major release.  Classified as “gangsta” rap it was a hard hitting album full of southern influenced bangers.  Fast forward to 2013 Bukshot released the iconic horrorcore album Helter Skelter.  This made a huge splash in the underground and drawing many new fans to his slow plodding and dark sound.  During this time, in 2003, in northern California another horrorcore pillar was being built by Kung Fu Vampire.  Making his splash with an album titled Blood Bath and Beyond he quickly found footing in the underground scene.  His appearance as an actual vampire and being backed by an actual band created something the underground had never seen.  Since then he has released 6 more albums, all with a different flow but always representing that Cali swag to the fullest.  In 2021 these 2 underground legends teamed up for their first release under the name Double Dragon.  This self-titled album was received well and left fans eagerly wanting more from the duo.  Their difference in delivery and the mix of the two styles was infectious.  In 2025 fans were told of the forthcoming album Big Trouble with Double Dragon.  The buzz was palpable as fans waited for the April release.  Its April 25 and the bridge from Kentucky to Cali has once again been built.  Ladies and Gentleman I present to you my review for the new release by none other than Double Dragon!

Track listing

• Dragons Of The Black Pool
• Big Trouble
• Ruthless
• Out The Mud (ft. C-Mob)
• Creatures
• Nemesis Me
• Mushroom Clouds
• Gods Of War (ft. Str8Jaket)
• Lurkers
• In The Void
• Where The Pieces Fit
• Sun Don’t Shine (ft. Gorilla Voltage)
• Cooler In a Coffin
• Never Say Die (ft. Demi Demaree)
• Black Smoke
• Stranger Things (ft. Joey Cool & Demi Demaree) Nobel Craig Remix

Track list and ratings

• Dragons Of The Black Pool- A spoken word intro which details their desire to find somewhere new while sharing a love of all thing 80’s. The music backing it instantly takes listeners to memories of “Big Trouble in Little China”.  8/10
• Big Trouble- A melodic intro gives way to a heavy driving beat. Bukshot leads with the 1^st verse and delivers a deep and dark verse.  The hook is simple but works well against the heavy beat.  KFV hits the 2^nd verse with his faster style while flowing around the beat.  Great track as an intro to the album. 5/10
• Ruthless- The music in this track reminds listeners of old school horror movies like Psycho. Another heavy bass driven beat and solid verses keep that vibe.  The hook is simple but effective here.  Buk and KFV both takes turns flowing lyrically over this complex beat.  5/10
• Out The Mud (ft. C-Mob)- The heavy driving beats flow into this track as well. C-Mob is well known in the underground and adds another style of delivery to this track. This lyrics here flow between horrorcore and gangster rap.  Another solid track. The three styles while different provide listeners with diversity and a little something unique. 5/10
• Creatures- The track backing this one is heavy with the 80’s synth vibe and that is a welcome change. KFV leads with the 1^st verse and creates an eerie vampiric vibe that Bukshot continues with his verse.  With references to classic movies and that unique vibe only they can create this track changes to flow and feel of this album.  9/10
• Nemesis Me- Slowing the beat down and creating a more harmonic hook allows this track to stand out from the other tracks so far. The lyrics speak of creating a persona so large at some point you become your own nemesis.  Lack of sleep, self doubt, ego, drugs, or alcohol all can lead to this.  Seems to be a warning for anyone working hard to “make it” in the business.  8/10
• Mushroom Clouds- A complex and busy beat backs hard hitting lyrics. Lyrically this track is about Double Dragon rising to destroy the industry.  The hook speaks of the mushroom clouds left once that happens.  8/10
• Gods Of War (ft. Str8Jaket)- The music backing this track is extremely busy, almost distracting to the listener. While the lyrics are well delivered and back the title, the levels between the vocals and the beat seem off and that makes this one hard to get into.  6/10
• Lurkers- Simple but banging beat backs hard hitting verses. Bukshot leads off and gives another well put together verse that pushes the idea of death and the reaper lurking and waiting for you.  KFV hits the 2^nd verse with a much slower and deliberate delivery.  Highlighting people or “agencies” lurking it drives home the point that we are never truly alone.  5/10
• In The Void- A dark driving beat hits hard on the track. The verses are delivered with intention and it’s a nice touch to add a “void” to the beat which both artists fill effectively.  A different feel to this one.  5/10
• Where The Pieces Fit- A quicker beat give Bukshot a chance to change up his flow in this one. He and KFV alternate flow in and around the beat which is a nice change of pace.  The hook drops the beat and lets the lyrics shine.  A much needed change of pace in this track.  8/10
• Sun Don’t Shine (ft. Gorilla Voltage)- Fans found out a few months back that Gorilla Voltage had joined forces again and were in the studio making music. Then fans found this feature!  KFV leads off the track with a verse that is heavily staticky and that takes away from his verse in this one.  GV gives us the next 2 verses and delivers their unique styles.  The hook is dark and heavy.  Bukshot adds the last verse and continues the dark theme.  5/10
• Cooler In a Coffin- Dark themes continue with this one. Faster more pointer verses give way to a harmonic hook.  The lyrics speak of people being “cooler in a coffin” and each artists delivers that theme in their style and it really works here.  9/10
• Never Say Die (ft. Demi Demaree)- This track has music straight out of 80’s tv and music. This theme is continued with the hook and verses.  A lot of us old schools Juggalos grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and love the references here.  The track title references Goonies and that is just the beginning.  KFV had a track called 1986 on his Come Dawn album which gave listers the same nostalgia.  A solid and subdued track but a fun vibe.  9/10
• Black Smoke- Old school and dark beat backs this one. KFV hits the 1^st verse hella hard and delivers lyrics that flow with the beat and keep with the old school vibe.  Simple hook lets the verses breathe.  Bukshot flows hard over the beat as well.  Both talk of a fight that ends with black smoke and defeat of the enemy.  5/10
• Stranger Things (ft. Joey Cool & Demi Demaree) Nobel Craig Remix- Joey Cool leads off on this one and gives an inspired and solid verse which works well here. Bukshot is up next and provides another dark verse with a few easter eggs from movies in it.  A solid effort the end this album.  5/10

Total Runtime- 49:31

Overall Rating: 8.06/10

Conclusion:  This second installment from Double Dragon is a much heavier album overall than their previous effort.  Their ability to melt different styles and flavors into the tracks shows us once again why they are two towering pillars in the business.  The featured artists all add their own style and flavor to the mix and it works well throughout the album.  The homage to the 80’s and Big Trouble in China in particular provides a throw back which brings a lot of good memories with it.  What will we get next from the duo?  Some unreleased tracks? A nationwide tour?  Or just maybe they will disappear into the mist for an undetermined amount of time while they plot their next release.

Favorite Tracks:

1. Never Say Die (ft. Demi Demaree)

Length:

• 49 Minutes 31 Seconds

Record Label:

• Mobstyle Music/Ultra Violet Entertainment

Purchase:

• Mobstyle Music - 20.00

Reviewer:

• Juggalotus