Modeled after the dynamic "supergroup" concept that created the Wu-Tang Clan, the Army of the Pharaohs is the brainchild of Jedi Mind Tricks frontman/MC Vinnie Paz. Paz formed the horrorcore outfit in the late '90s with the original roster of Bahamadia, Chief Kamachi, Virtuoso, 7L Esoteric, plus Jedi Mind Tricks' other members Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and Jus Allah. The group first released the Five Perfect Exertions b/w War Ensemble 12" on Paz's short-lived Superegular Recordings in 1998, but then the underground supergroup remained silent for several years. After a couple of successful JMT albums and a new deal with Babygrande by 2003, Paz resurrected the crew, adding Outerspace (Planetary and Crypt the Warchild), Celph Titled, Reef the Lost Cauze, King Syze Des Devious, Faez One, and Apathy; however, Bahamadia, Virtuoso, and Jus Allah had defected from the group. Babygrande issued their Tear It Down 12" and full-length debut, The Torture Papers, in 2006. The 2007 follow-up album, Ritual of the Battle, saw JMT protégés Doap Nixon and Demoz joining the Pharaohs, as well as a return by Jus Allah. ~ Cyril Cordor, Rovi