| U.S.A. | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Flatlinerz |
| Cover: | Flatlinerz - U.S.A. (album cover).jpg |
| Recorded: | 1993–1994 |
| Genre: | Horrorcore |
| Label: | Def Jam |
| Next Title: | Definitive Creepy Collection |
| Next Year: | 2014 |
U.S.A. (stands for "Under Satan's Authority") is the only studio album by American horrorcore trio Flatlinerz.[1] It was released on September 6, 1994, via Def Jam Recordings. The recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, Next Level Studios, and Greene St. Recording, in New York. The album was produced by Tempest, Rockwilder, Crush, DR Period, and Kool Tee, with Kenny Lee and Russell Simmons serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Gravemen, Kool Tee, Mayhem, Omen, Rockwilder, and the Headless Horsemen.
The album peaked at number 65 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 24 on the Top Heatseekers and found controversy for its satanic themes. Also, the three music videos the group shot for the album, "Live Evil", "Satanic Verses" and "Rivaz of Red", were barely played because of things such as frontman Redrum rhyming while hanging from a noose and Gravedigger rhyming from a crucifix. The album only sold 36,000 copies and the group, along with the Headless Horsemen and Omen, was dropped from Def Jam. Three singles were released, but only "Live Evil" made it to the charts, making it to No. 35 on the Hot Rap Singles.
The New York Times wrote that "the Flatlinerz use the slow-moving piano melodies and minor chords of horror-film soundtracks to drive their music, adding screeching birds and tolling church bells for spice."[2]
In 2009, Fangoria named U.S.A. as an iconic horrorcore album.[3]
Sample credits
| Chart (1994) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 65 | |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) | 24 |
| Year | Song | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Rap | ||
| 1994 | Live Evil | 35 |
| Satanic Verses | — | |
| Rivaz of Red | — |