2012 was looking to be a very promising year for the Los Angeles-based experimental hip-hop group Death Grips: they signed a huge contract with Epic Records, promised two full-length albums released during the year through Epic and had a lengthy tour that included festivals, which would result in a bigger fan base.

As most fans know by now, the group decided to go against everything a normal band would do and canceled their entire 2012 tour to work on “No Love Deep Web,” an album that eventually was used to get them forced off the Epic Records contract due to the band leaking it for free without Epic’s consent. As 2013 came and went, Death Grips proved that they had pressed everyone’s buttons, including both fans and critics.

After months of no activity, the band suddenly released an entire album entitled “Government Plates” for free, once again, on their website.

“Government Plates” starts off with “You Might Think He Loves You…” which may be the hardest and most enduring track the band has ever recorded. The screeching noises followed by MC Ride’s haunting flow that constantly gets shrouded by the essence of paranoia and horror prove that this track is taking the listeners on a very uncomfortable journey. The opening track is followed by another amazing song in “Anne Bonny,” which uses a great instrumental that captures the essential element of the album.

The album continues Death Grips’ essential sound regarding heavy synth leads fused with primal drumming and vocals. The first thing that most fans have noticed about the new LP is the lack of MC Ride’s vocals, which usually bring the ferocity to their sound. “Government Plates” is surely a mostly instrumental album, and most of the vocals used are more of a sampling instrument this time around. The lack of vocals and the presence of mostly instrumentals can be speculated that this may be the soundtrack of a currently-rumored film that drummer Zach Hill is working on.

Overall, “Government Plates” is a tamer project coming from Death Grips, who have constantly pushed the envelope with their past records. Although it is not necessarily more abrasive than before, it is still a solid listen for most fans and some of the tracks are sure to go up on their all-time greatest, including the opening and closing tracks. As most people would agree, there is nothing to speculate as far as where the band will go from this point, and Government Plates was an odd yet assuring way that they are still alive and ready to push the envelope for experimental artists everywhere.