As the debut effort from Mantrakid (a.k.a. Nate Schmold), Palmflowerblack shines with firecracker energy and brilliance. Much of the recording focuses on Schmold himself, but that's OK — this is nowhere near the chest-thumping, alpha-dog bravado that passes as mainstream hip hop. Rather, the lyrical deconstruction of his own flawed traits and limitations is as real and compelling as it gets. With rapid-fire flows that would make the Quannum and Solesides crews nod in approval, Mantrakid shows off his mad skills on the mic. Add in the sinister beats and a healthy dose of humour, and Palmflowerblack becomes a brooding thing of beauty.