Messiah’el Bey is an author, composer, electronic musician, DJ, filmmaker, music producer, and poet from Hempstead, Long Island. During his youth Bey began to study the keyboard and was offered his first recording contract at the age of fourteen. He later went on to form a rap group, Gras Ruts & So Speshal that caught the attention of many. Bey also worked as a performance in the late 90’s and has shared the stage with Dead Prez and Common, among others. During his time leading up to the Warlock Asylum project, Bey has also established himself as a published author. “iWealth eSoul” is Messiah’el Bey’s first solo album. Released under the name Warlock Asylum – of which Bey is a member alongside Steven Berson – the concept behind the album, “is to allow the instruments to act as the spoken word artist and voice of the album,” explained Bey.
Messiah’el Bey has a futuristic sound that flawlessly blends digital and electronic aspects with solid guitar-like riffs and wild filters that build up an amazing world for the listener to explore. Through his advanced alternative music he tells tales about the cycles of life through his experiences and thoughts. This album does more than just give you something to jam to. It takes you far away from here into the depths of the mind of someone else previously unknown to you.
Drawing in eager listeners with its seductive, yet sinister arrangements, “iWealth eSoul” erupts from the pedestal of ambiance, skittering about with a heart-pounding leads and heavy electronic interludes that burst with seas of growling synths, glitchy beats, and punishing drums.
Messiah’el Bey also utilizes his arranging skills to the fullest, pushing through the furious instrumentals with constant sound twists and blending of smooth bass and off-kilter rhythms. On top of this, Messiah’el Bey’s mix of clever electronic effects, distortion, and instrumental harmonizing allows the soundscapes to seamlessly float within themselves and inside your head.
With a running time of only twenty-one minutes, no one track ever overstays its welcome as Messiah’el Bey never manages to disappoint, with the music always taking new turns over the course of the album. Bey does just about everything right, and for the right reasons — because that is how he wants to do things.
His story of persistence can be read between the lines of his bio and an example to anyone who dreams of creating anything of value with the talents at their disposal. There’s just something authentic and immersive about his art- whether or not you appreciate his style of music.
The album opens up with the high energy “Biker Skin” and proceeds with its storytelling and environmental soundscapes through standouts like “Remembering My Home”, “Trotman House”, “Ape Hangers” and “Anneliese’s School”. It’s amazing how these pieces create such a compelling experience.
Polished and raw at the same time, these anthems hold promises for both a new electronic future and a continuation of the old. You will want to listen in a single setting without shuffling or skipping around for maximum enjoyment. The music on, “iWealth eSoul” never lets up from being instantly accessible and enjoyable with its many different elements.
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