San Antonio, Texas rapper and Shrunken Head Entertainment founder Razakel has long been a fixture in the underground scene. Known for her contributions to groups like the Slice Girls, the Dead Girlz, 3FRMHELL, and the Serpentines, her prolific solo career continues to evolve. Following her recent full-length project, Surprise, Surprise!, she has teamed up with Grand Rapids-based producer and Dirtcore Music founder Crossworm for a new, high-impact EP: The Possession of Razakel.

The project wastes no time establishing its tone. The opening track, “Sum1 Like U,” utilizes an industrial boom-bap aesthetic to explore themes of authenticity and the frustration of dealing with disingenuous individuals. This industrial influence carries over into “Funeral,” where the production serves as a dark backdrop for Razakel’s uncompromising lyrical stance, warning her detractors to prepare for their own metaphorical demise. The EP concludes with “Slasher,” a track that effectively bridges the gap between traditional horrorcore lyricism and modern EDM-infused soundscapes.

Given the consistent output from the Dirtcore roster over the past four years, Crossworm’s initiative to collaborate with underground artists for these focused, high-intensity projects is a welcome development. The Possession of Razakel succeeds by being concise; it is a 10-minute masterclass in sharpening one’s pen over industrial hip-hop beats. It is arguably some of the most refined material of her career, proving that brevity can often lead to the most potent artistic statements.

Score: 8/10