Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars
| Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Killarmy | ||||
| Released | August 5, 1997 | |||
| Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 64:45 | |||
| Label |
Wu-Tang/Priority/EMI Records 0499 2 50633 2 5 P2-50633 | |||
| Producer | 4th Disciple, RZA | |||
| Killarmy chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   link |
| RapReviews.com | link |
Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars is the debut from Wu-Tang affiliate Killarmy released on August 5, 1997 on Wu-Tang/Priority Records. The group consists of six MCs: Killa Sin, Beretta 9, Islord, 9th Prince, P.R. Terrorist (now Dom Pachino), and ShoGun Assasson; and one producer, 4th Disciple, who produced the majority of the album. Like Black Lung's album of the same name, the title was taken from a document that came to light in the mid-1980s detailing a New-World Order plan for world domination; a topic that was explored in Milton William Cooper's infamous book Behold a Pale Horse.
Silent Weapons initially received mixed reviews from critics, who saw the group as a low-rent version of the Wu-Tang Clan because of similarities in the group's street-oriented Five-Percenter rhymes and dark production. The album was well received by Wu-Tang and underground hip hop fans—acclaimed for its unique combat themes and stellar production work.
The album was entirely produced by 4th Disciple, except for two tracks that were produced by Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA. Guest appearances include Clan member Masta Killa as well as Clan affiliates Streetlife, Hell Razah and Prodigal Sunn (both of whom are members of Sunz of Man). The album features the singles "Swinging Swords," "Camouflage Ninjas" b/w "Wake Up," and "Wu-Renegades" b/w "Clash of the Titans."
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) | Sample (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dress to Kill" | 4th Disciple |
|
*"Get Out of My Life, Woman" by Iron Butterfly |
| 2 | "Clash of the Titans" | 4th Disciple |
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*"Celeste Aida" by 101 Strings |
| 3 | "Burning Season" | 4th Disciple |
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*"Light My Fire" by Al Green |
| 4 | "Blood for Blood" | 4th Disciple |
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*"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" by Dead Can Dance |
| 5 | "Seems it Never Fails" | 4th Disciple |
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| 6 | "Universal Soldiers" | 4th Disciple |
| |
| 7 | "Love, Hell, or Right" | *"We've Only Just Begun" by Henry Mancini and Doc Severinsen | ||
| 8 | "Wake Up" | RZA |
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*"The Lonely Man Theme" by Joe Harnell |
| 9 | "Fair, Love, and War" | 4th Disciple |
| |
| 10 | "Wu-Renegades" | 4th Disciple |
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*"Frühlingsrauschen" ("Rustles of Spring") by Christian Sinding (unknown recording) |
| 11 | "Full Moon" | 4th Disciple |
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*"Requiem" by Brooklyn Bridge *"God Made Me Funky" by the Headhunters |
| 12 | "Under Siege" | 4th Disciple |
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| 13 | "Shelter" | 4th Disciple |
| |
| 14 | "Camouflage Ninjas" | 4th Disciple |
|
*"Mom" by Earth, Wind & Fire |
| 15 | "Swinging Swords" | 4th Disciple |
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*"Swing! Brother, Swing!" by Billie Holiday |
| 16 | "War Face" | RZA |
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| 17 | "5 Stars" | 4th Disciple |
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*"Suicide Is Painless (Main Title)" by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman |
The album uses a wide variety of samples, including "Suicide is Painless" from the show M.A.S.H. ("Five Stars"), the theme of the television version of The Incredible Hulk ("Wake Up"), a recording of “Frühlingsrauschen” ("Rustles of Spring") by Western classical composer Christian Sinding ("Wu-Renegades"), and "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" by Dead Can Dance ("Blood for Blood"). Many vocal samples from Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket are used throughout the album as well.
Album singles
| Single information |
|---|
"Swinging Swords"
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"Camouflage Ninjas"
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"Wu-Renegades"
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Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
| 1997 | Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars | 34 | 10 |
Singles chart positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | ||
| 1996 | "Wake Up" | - | 89 | 20 | 37 |
| 1997 | "Wu-Renegades" | - | 69 | 16 | - |