Klep - Chatter In The Skull album review by Alicks Wargood

 You may know this man from his tenure with the absolutely immortal Bio Killaz or as the co-owner of the iconic Shattered Dreams Entertainment. On March 7 (2025) we were blessed with yet another flawless solo album from the chaotic mind of the one and only Klep Amphetamine.

   I had the absolute pleasure of previewing the album before release to build my thoughts on this review. Through taking care of Agatha Haag, O Odious Ones, and booking The Rex Theatre tight with shows I had a slight delay in my work... but here it is... the official Dosed Fanzine review of the new album from the man himself "Chatter In The Skull" by Alicks Wargood.

1 : Brain Spasm (An Introduction To The Chatter)

   The first track is a very fitting intro to the whole album concept. A concept that many of us can relate to on a personal level. We all experience negative thoughts and emotions provoked by nothing more than simply living. Thoughts of self harm, violence, hatred, suicide, and chaos... but also love, kindness, happiness, and strength. Both sides are prevalent in our everyday thoughts and shine differently from day to day. Some days are more negative and some more positive. The embracing of both sides of the coin is important to collect your own personal sanity and find the positive in the negative. It is (though hard at times) an important and powerful ability to have. Some artists just have a special way of adding a silver lining to the dark circles that cloud our thoughts and Klep is a masterclass example of just that. You will find this subject all through this album and this song perfectly sets that tone.

   "Brain Spasm" also features fellow SDE artist Beatbox Jake. One of Michigan's most impressive underground artists mixing live beatboxing with haunting metal guitar work.

2 : The Chatter In The Skull

   The second track is a perfect followup to "Brain Spasm". It is the title track of the album and really touches the hardest on the uphill battle of pushing negative thoughts and emotions away. As many of these tracks do... it embraces the power that it takes to ignore the negative emotions that we all feel yet acknowledges that they are indeed a fact of life that is good to embrace and express through healthy mechanisms. The absolutely positive message on this album is both subliminal and tattooed on the face at the same time. Through thorns and spikes a sound mind can be achieved with nothing more than the willpower to be better with each day.

3 : Penicillin

   This one seems very direct and to the point about personal hate toward enemies and how the more power you give them the more control they have over your emotions. Drawing attention to yourself FOR yourself is the strongest way to defeat them. With confidence you can dust off the dirt to go harder in your own endeavors than ever before. Either the emotions can kill you or cure you and the ability to focus on yourself without the influence of your enemies can be your penicillin.

4 : Frequencies (Featuring Stray)

   As someone who has spent a lot of time with Klep I say with vigor that this song perfectly represents the day to day mentality of Klep. He's always been a very encouraging and "Frequencies" capsules that. The lyric "If I inspire you and you inspire me both you and I can reach a higher peak" can touch even the most calloused of characters. With all of the darkness and broodishness that this album contains this song specifically breaks away from that narrative and shows an upside to the chatter. With a glint if positivity everyone can become inspired and feel a sense of community. Even in a place they may not "belong". As a punk, goth, rock & roll head that has been welcomed into his collective I can say that this song is one of Klep's most genuine messages on this album. Not to mention that Stray brought sustenance to this track that even the most avid hip hop purist can fully appreciate. If you listen to one piece of this album make it this one.

5 : Hyperactive

   This one is definitely a self reflective song for Klep. He has a special way of always getting his point across and this song is a pinnacle example of that. It's short and sweet... but simply says "I'm a little wild and a little obscene". Which (yet again) describes the personality behind Klep that we've all grown to love and apprcleiciate. It has a pleasantly minimalistic beat with a "na na nabooboo" demeanor that perfectly hooks the entire song.

6 : Evil Lil' Inner Monologue

   Quick little skit of overlaying speaking parts that shows the self depreciation that goes on inside many people's head. It's a taste of schizophrenia for those who don't understand what it actually sounds like.

7 : Drag You Down To Hell (Featuing Saint Sinna)

   This track starts right out of the gate with the embracing of and end. The whole "live it up because it's all fucked" sort of mentality. It takes a 3rd person view from the point of the most agitated version of an inner monologue. The angry one that just wants to say "fuck it all". It's an ugly face to acknowledge... yet an appropriate one for a lot of people to cope with life. Without chaos there can be no peace and this song tilts a black hat towards that fact. Saint Sinna is the other half of the dynamic duo known as Bio Killaz and the other co-owner of SDE. He always brings the fucking ruckus and this song is no exception.

8 : Mundane

   This one is straight and to the point. It's about the repetition of life and all of the things that we have to do to get by. It's all mundane and breaking the pattern is nothing short of a self execution to everything that you hold dear and work hard for. Sometimes you just wanna tear the sheet off and start the whole thing over... but with loved ones and accomplishments written on the paper it's self sabotaging to a level that you (unfortunately at times) talk yourself out of. There's not a lot more to say about this track. It's all in the title and is an absolutely wonderful nod at the fact that we all get bored with our lives and have to try and fight to keep ourselves on the right track.

9 : Disrespectful Eulogy (Featuring Nasty Ink and Madd Maxxx)

   Now, I may be way off on some of these tracks. Every one of my reviews is 100% my interpretation of what I'm hearing. But this one (to me) is blatantly about showing ultimate disrespect towards someone that you indeed do not have respect for. What better way to drive that fact home that with a disrespectful eulogy? Saying "fuck you" even after they are dead and gone. I myself can relate to this on a deep level. We've all had people that we have no respect for and would rather see 6 feet in the ground than at the grocery store. It's gritty, it's shitty, and it's beautiful all at the same time. These were the first verses that I've ever personally heard from Nastie Ink or Madd Maxxx. They are now added to my rotation and I completely understand why Klep put them on his new album. Solid 10/10 rappers.

10 : Beasts (Featuring Gibby Stites, Cartoon Bandurant & Enokh Xmortis)

   This one here is for the traditional hiphop heads. In a nutshell it has a very old school cypher vibe to it that is simultaneously familiar, fresh, and memorable. The basic gist that I get is that it's 4 people bringing a different beast of truth to the table. Like they are having a talk about how they can all relate on a molecular level. When it comes to "Chatter In The Skull" specifically this song reigns Supreme as the one that purists will even find top notch. I've had the pleasure of following Cartoon and Xmortis for about a year now. I absolutely love their style and delivery. Not to mention they have some of the best merch in the game! However this was my first time hearing Gibby Stites who brought a killer flavor to the studio with him. If you would have never told me this was a feature song I would have assumed that it was a 4 person rap project. Flawless track with a perfect selection of contributing artists.

11 : Kleppy Gone Country

   This track is a hilariously executed skit that I'm not going to say much on. Go check it out for some giggles. However, I will say that after hearing this idea... you may find yourself listening to an e.p. of Agatha Haag (also an SDE band) writing music that we expect Klep to write with us. Haha!

12 : Weak

   "Weak" is my favorite track from 'Chatter'. It's always nice to see someone release an album and there that ONE track that is off kilter from most (if not all) of their previous work. That is this one on this album. It's a strategic onslaught of lyricism attacking the subject of politics. It touches on many factors including native genocide, war, population division, and the illusion of control. I'm an avid punk rock fan and this song is equal to some of the best political punk anthems. I honestly did not expect this track to go half as hard as it did and I'm pleasantly surprised by the delivery and message of "Weak".

13 : Winds Of Change

   So, for those of you that don't know Klep personally (or at all) you might be surprised to hear that he is a full blown and hands on family man. He has kids and step kids along with a wonderful wife that he works his ass off for. Its something I've always commended him on. It will probably also be NO surprise that he's was previously an active degenerate. This song gives credit to the person he once was as well as the person he has now become. It starts off with a conversation with himself about just that and how proud of himself he is for how far he has come as a person. It's basically an "If you ain't growing you're dying" tale. This is easily my second favorite track on the album.

14 : No Penny For Your Thoughts

   Yet another self reflection session. I've always thought that it's so damn important to make sure that you're the first person to call you out on your bullshit. This entire album is exactly that and this track is another prime example. Noticing negative patterns in yourself and absolving those issues will sometimes lose you friends, family, love, and what you once called home. It hurts to have to go through but has proven time and time again to be the best medicine for self destructive activities. Nobody's thoughts can make that happen. It's internal and primal to take control of yourself and your emotions.

15 : Today

   The entire time I was working on this review I said to myself " I bet this dark ass album ends itself on a positive note". It totally does and I couldn't be more pleased with it. The whole song is about focusing on today. Today is all that matters... who you are, who you associate with, and how you move from place to place. It's like the old adage says "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift and that's why it's called the present.

   So, that's my worthless 2 cents on the absolutely magnificent new installment by my labelmate, friend, and (more importantly) brother. I encourage everyone to take a dive into this album and pay attention. I think l that too many people rely on catering to the short attention span that has become music by releasing singles and short e.p. albums anymore. It's always a big breath of fresh air when someone puts together a concept album that flows from emotion to emotion with each carefully crafted song. Too many people don't actually care about their projects. It's just a way to seek glory and fulfill egotistical pride. Klep is not that and much more than even HE gives himself credit for.

   If you enjoy this album please be sure to check out his previous album "Man Of Steal". Also, if you like this review be sure to follow the Dosed Fanizine page on FB. Support local music as often and vigorously as you can. Be unapologetically you at all times.
 

- Alicks Wargood


Klep & Bio Killaz booking :
Biokillaz13@gmail.com


Klep & Bio Killaz basic contact :
www.biokillaz.com