Denizens of the dank dungeons of hip-hop, Heltah Skeltah are the latest lyrical sharpshooters to emerge from the notorious Boot Camp Clik, of Brooklyn, N.Y., whose ranks include Black Moon and the Coco Brothers. Former members of the Decepticons, a Brooklyn street gang, Ruck and Rock (a k a Sparsky and Dutch) are on a mission to shed light as they distill years of anger and irrational behavior into rhyme. As they explain in "Undastand," "Undastand, Heltah Skeltah only means war/Undastand, we war with everything outside your door."

The duo's ferocious word flow is strapped to a minimalist yet mesmerizing sound – dusty, down-tempo beats awash in dark, intoxicating tonality. In mood and content, Nocturnal definitely plays for the late-night prowl. "Therapy," lifted by the pleading vocal chorus of Vinia Mojica (who sang on De La Soul's second album), explores the pathological thoughts of a ghetto vet trying to cope with the endless drama that surrounds him. On the blissful, bouncing single "Operation Lockdown," the duo declares, "We out to save this shit before it's dead, y'all." And they're not kidding. (RS 741)

S.H. FERNANDO JR.