Dope’s seventh studio album, Blood Money Part Zer0, arrives with a title that’s as intriguing as it is self-aware. For those in the know, the “Zer0” playfully winks at frontman Edsel Dope’s rumored (and now heavily implied) identity as Xer0, the vocalist for Static-X’s Wayne Static tribute project. This duality extends beyond just the title, permeating an album that simultaneously embraces Dope’s signature late-90s/early-2000s nu-metal sound while subtly incorporating contemporary elements. Following up on 2016’s critically panned Blood Money: Part One, Part Zer0 feels like a deliberate course correction, a nostalgic nod to their roots infused with a revitalized creative energy.
Indeed, Blood Money Part Zer0 largely succeeds by sticking to the band’s strengths: delivering straightforward, hard-hitting industrial-tinged nu-metal. It’s a meat-and-potatoes affair, prioritizing impactful riffs and Edsel Dope’s recognizable vocal delivery. What sets this album apart from its immediate predecessor is a noticeable injection of modernity, handled with surprising pragmatism. Tracks like “Believe” flirt with contemporary autotune effects in the verses, yet manage to integrate these elements without derailing the song’s core Dope sound. For the most part, the album confidently strides in familiar territory, offering fans exactly what they expect – and perhaps a little more.
While the album captures the essence of classic Dope, echoes of Edsel’s recent work with Static-X subtly bleed into the soundscape. “Wide,” for instance, showcases a grinding guitar tone reminiscent of Mike Gordon’s style, forging a tangible link to Static-X’s Project Regeneration albums. Amidst the expected anthems like “No Respect” and “Choke,” tracks like “Lovesong” offer a welcome change of pace with a melancholic undertone, demonstrating a willingness to explore slightly different emotional textures within their established sound. Furthermore, “Dead World” stands out with a chorus that possesses the anthemic quality of Dope’s most memorable tracks from their back catalog, suggesting a return to form in songwriting.
However, Blood Money Part Zer0 isn’t without its drawbacks. True to Dope’s discography, the album suffers from pacing issues, particularly in its latter half. Tracks like “Misery,” “Dive,” “Row,” and “Parasite” unfortunately function as filler, disrupting the album’s momentum and contributing to a perceived length that exceeds its actual runtime. These tracks, while not necessarily terrible, lack the distinctiveness and energy of the album’s stronger moments, making the latter portion of the record feel somewhat uneven.
Despite these pacing hiccups, Blood Money Part Zer0 ultimately serves as a redemption for Dope. It effectively washes away the lingering disappointment of Part One and re-establishes a sense of equilibrium within their discography. For those seeking a dose of nu-metal nostalgia with a contemporary polish, this album delivers a satisfying experience. Edsel Dope, even as he approaches his fifties, convincingly channels the angst and attitude that defined the genre’s peak. In essence, Blood Money Part Zer0 is a solid offering that should tide fans over nicely, perhaps even until the arrival of Static-X’s Project Regeneration Vol. 2.
