Cypress Hill III (Temples of Boom) Turns 25 on Halloween 2020

25 years ago on Halloween Cypress Hill released, potentially the illest, most overlooked album of their catalog – III (Temples of Boom).

The band had previously reached pop stardom with their mega-hit Insane in the Brain off their Black Sunday LP.

Temples of Boom was long anticipated. For some, it was a disappointment due to the mainstream success of Insane in the Brain and expectations of another pop hit. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for their true fans, Cypress Hill reverted to what they do best. Raw, authentic, hip hop music.

Countering the explosion of G-Funk that permeated the West Coast hip hop scene since their last release, Cypress Hill returned to remind the world who the kings of hardcore West Coast hip hop were.

Now, most other sites might provide you the obvious hits from this album, but fuck that, we’re Loud News Net and we don’t play by the rules. Let’s take a look at some ill shit off of this now quarter-century-old album.

(For those that would rather read than watch the video…)

1. Stoned Raiders

A perfect eerie Halloween track to start the list. Cypress Hill makes it known that you are in the Temple of Boom (bap). B-Real’s fierce delivery lets all the suckers know “no one’s realer”. From 1995 to today you best believe that. For me, I love the dark beat. The simple yet banging drum pattern is perfect. Boom-bap, boom boom bap! My favorite track on the album.

2. No Rest for the Wicked

Damn. B-Real, Sen Dog, and DJ Muggs are not to be taken lightly. Going straight after one of the biggest names in the game – Ice Cube on this track. They rip him for essentially stealing the hook for “Throw Your Set in The Air”. Dough Boy replaced “Set” with “Hands” but the biting is obvious.

3. Make a Move

The Samuel L. Jackson Pulp Fiction sample to set the track off is perfect. This track reminds me of something that could have been on Black Sunday. Quintessential Cypress Hill song right here.

4. Spark Another Owl

The intro track on Temples of Boom makes it clear from the jump that Cypress Hill were then and forever the kings of weed rap.

“Up until the summer of ’91 / wasn’t no motherfuckers talking about smoking blunts”

-B-Real

#FACTS

5. Strictly Hip Hop

“House of Pain ain’t down with us”. Wait, whaat??? To be honest, this track hurt when I first heard it. Not having context of the beef confused me as a lifelong Soul Assassins fan.

However, Cypress and House of Pain members have since collaborated so I have to assume all beef is squashed – but DAMN! Why you got to play with a young fan’s loyalties like that?!

REGARDLESS, the track is a raw banger.

6. Everybody Must Get Stoned – Bonus Track

The kings of cannabis rap from the jump. Anyone who doesn’t know… LISTEN.

7. Killa Hill N****s

The collab between Cypress and Park Hill constituents B-Real, RZA, and U-God highlights the universal appeal of the Los Angeles trio. Cypress Hill was always one of the rap groups from the West Coast that could fit in globally. Including the exclusive and sometimes pretentious, East Coast. This track could have appeared on a Cypress Hill album or a Wu-Tang Clan album, and it would not be out of place.

8. Killafornia

The dark somber spiritual tones of the production on Temples of Boom is what makes it a classic, and a perfect Halloween album. On Killafornia, B-Real paints the picture of where they’re from – a world of hustling, no trust, and scandal everywhere

9. Illusions

Illusions was one of the singles off Cypress Hill III – Temples of Boom. Not exactly a radio hit. DJ Muggs lays down the perfect beat for B-Real’s deep lyrics about mental struggles. No one was doing this shit in 1995. Cypress Hill once again trailblazers.

10. Boom Biddy Bye Bye

Potentially one of the more successful singles on the album. But fuck it, this one isn’t for the radio, suckers. This song is consistent with the entire album. Eerie beats, trippy soundscapes, lyrics that might put you in an insane asylum…

That’s it for my Cypress Hill Temples of Boom Halloween anniversary list. 25 years later this album still holds up with anything since!