‘The Cold Vein’ is the debut album by American hip hop duo Cannibal Ox. It was produced by El-P and released on his Definitive Jux label on May 15, 2001 (see 2001 in music). ‘The Cold Vein’ was the first full-length album to be released on former Company Flow member El-P's newly founded Definitive Jux record label, and its release was preceded by a significant amount of hype, particularly within the hip hop community. In late 2000, a split double vinyl single appeared on Def Jux, containing three new songs by Company Flow and two tracks taken from The Cold Vein: "Iron Galaxy" and "Straight Off The D.I.C." These songs also appeared on the label compilation album ‘Def Jux Presents’, released on March 20, 2001. The first single, "Vein", was released in April 2001 with "A B-Boy's Alpha" serving as its b-side. The album was eventually released on May 15, 2001. Many praised El-P's production work, with CMJ contributor Brian Coleman writing "Producer El-P, of the now-defunct Company Flow, gives this Harlem-bred and Brooklyn-based vocal duo of Vast Aire and Shamar what usually sounds like a full goth orchestra perched in a dank basement, with thick synth strings, simulated outer-space found-sounds and choppy, pounding drums." All Music Guide contributor Jack LV Isles was also impressed by El-P's beats, writing "El-P (a serious candidate for producer of the year) lays out some of the most lushly intriguing sounds and beats that feel as herky-jerky as they sound gilded with silk." The album was also noted for its profound lyrical content; many critics and fans felt Vast Aire's and Vordul Mega's lyrics painted a vivid picture of a poverty-stricken New York.[1] Gavin Mueller of Stylus Magazine wrote about "The F-Word", a song addressing unrequited love: "Moments like these show not only the skill of Can Ox’s MCs, but the potential for hip hop lyrics to work on as many levels as the finest English poetry." The Cold Vein landed on many 'best of 2001' lists and even some best of the decade.
Product Details
Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein Format: CD, Release Date: May 15 2001, Number of Discs: 1, Label: Definitive Jux, Produced by: El-P
Track Listings:
1. Iron Galaxy 2. Ox Out the Cage 3. Atom (with Alaska & Cryptic Of Atoms) 4. A B-Boys Alpha 5. Raspberry Fields 6. Straight Off The D.I.C. 7. Vein 8. The F-Word 9. Stress Rap 10. Battle For Asgard (with L.I.F.E. Long & C-Rayz Walz Of Stronghold) 11. Real Earth 12. Ridiculoid (with el-P) 13. Painkillers 14. Pigeon
Artist Info/ BIO
Cannibal Ox (or CanOx) is a hip hop music duo from Harlem, New York City. Its members include Vast Aire and Vordul Mega (also known as Vordul Megallah). They are generally accompanied by prolific DJ, Cip-One. The name Cannibal Ox derives from the term cannibal (one who eats its own kind), and ox (street slang for a razor blade). As such, their name points towards the metaphorical cutting up and devouring of other rappers. In 2001, they released their debut album, The Cold Vein, which received wide critical acclaim and drew comparisons to the 36 Chambers-era Wu-Tang Clan.
Music
