Even when it seemed they were tearing apart from in-group miscommunication and a welter of baffling solo albums, {$the Wu-Tang Clan} came together again like {#Voltron} for another excellent full-length. Expanding on the strengths of their third album, {^The W}, {^Iron Flag} focuses squarely on {$the Wu}'s immense twin strengths: bringing together some of the best rappers in the business, and relying on the best production confederacy in {\hip-hop} (led by {$RZA}) to build raw, hard-hitting productions. Nothing brings a group together better than invasion from outside, and even though the flag they're raising on the cover is their own, {$Wu-Tang} respond to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 with guns blazing -- {$Ghostface Killah} puts it simply, "Together we stand, divided we fall/Mr. Bush sit down, I'm in charge of the war!" The production is rough and ruddy, much more {\East Coast} than their last two full-lengths (both of which were recorded in Los Angeles). Original {\East Coast} head {$Flavor Flav} even makes an appearance on {&"Soul Power (Black Jungle),"} though he doesn't even attempt to trade rhymes with the heaviest crew in {\hip-hop}. (Instead, {$RZA} indulges him by running the tape on an extended reminiscence with {$Flav} and {$Method Man} talking about growing up on Long Island.) The single {&"Uzi (Pinky Ring),"} {&"In the Hood,"} and {&"Ya'll Been Warned"} are all excellent tracks with excellent {\raps} and, though the vaguely familiar horn samples driving most of them sure weren't tough to record, {$RZA} deserves a lot of credit for keeping the production simple. Even while most rappers have turned {\R&B} overnight, {$Wu-Tang} are really the only ones left in the {\hardcore} game who sound like they're in it for more than money or prestige. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide