At the thirty-second mark, Aesop Rock enters with an intricate, cryptic flow. In hearing the song, inference concertizes as fact, for it opens with an ominous loop of a man stating, “They did not know how long they had been there.” Shortly after, interesting breakbeat drums kick in, a staple in traditional hip-hop, followed by heavy, dark synth. Knowing this, one can infer that perhaps the song deals with some sort of darkness or other things pertaining to it. The title of the track “Zero Dark Thirty,” is a reference to military time running on a twenty-four time system, the military refers to any time after midnight as zero dark thirty. “Zero Dark Thirty,” the first single off of the album, is testament. Aesop Rock pulls back the layers of the past to create the mature, honest record that is Skelethon, one which is sure to stand the test of time. Dispensed effectively, the powers will live on far longer than the dispenser.

In such a form, one can attack, dispense his or her powers effectively. The artwork, a cartoon depiction of a crouching skeletal feline, directs the title. Derived from the words “skeleton” and “thon”, the title suggests a progression over time, one peels back the layers of his or her own self, exposing a foundation, true self. Even at the surface level of the album, the name and the artwork, this is made clear. Paired with introspective lyrics and self-production, Skelethon showcases not only the maturity of Aes as an artist, but an awareness of the responsibility that co-insides with it. On July 10, 2012, Aesop Rock released his sixth studio album, Skelethon, through Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Aesop rock zero dark thirty meaning