Hell's Pit | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 31, 2004 | |||
Recorded | 2003–04 | |||
Studio | The Lotus Pod (Detroit, MI) | |||
Genre | Horrorcore | |||
Length | 1:04:18 | |||
Label | Psychopathic Records | |||
Producer | Insane Clown Posse | |||
Insane Clown Posse chronology | ||||
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The Wraith: Hell's Pit | ||||
Hell's Pit is the ninth studio album by the American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on August 31, 2004 via Psychopathic Records as a follow-up to 2002 The Wraith: Shangri-La and the second half of the sixth and final Joker Card in the first Deck of the Dark Carnival mythology. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled by ICP themselves.
The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Independent Albums charts in the United States. It also made it to number 49 in the ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart, and peaked at number 25 on the Rock & Metal Albums Chart and at number 22 on the Independent Albums Chart in the UK music charts.
13 of its 17 original tracks were remixed and included in The Wraith: Remix Albums compilation album, which was released on November 14, 2006.
Following the release of 2002 The Wraith: Shangri-La , group member Violent J admitted that he was considering not completing the production of Hell's Pit. He is quoted as describing Shangri-La as "the end of the road. It's the end of the Joker's Cards. After this I could do anything I want, for the rest of my life. The positivity was so unbelievable". [1]
Preceding the release of Hell's Pit, Violent J stated the album's sound was intended as a throwback to the minimalistic sound of Carnival of Carnage , particularly its darker second half. [2] He also stated that it would contain less rock elements and singing, and that it would not feature guest appearances. [2] "Bowling Balls" samples the drum beat of Madonna's "Justify My Love", which was based upon Public Enemy's instrumental "Security of the First World", [3] which was in turn based on the end drum break of James Brown's "Funky Drummer". [4]
Hell's Pit is the second part of the sixth Joker's Card, The Wraith, written with the opposite intent of its counterpart, Shangri-La , Hell's Pit is intended to illustrate the horrors of hell itself. Many of the songs feature Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope fictitiously dying, to be sent to Hell, depicted in the album as a place void of all hope and peace, where those who do not atone for their sins and follow the ways of Shangri-La will presumably be sent upon their death. Violent J described the album as "Horror tale after Horror tale, mixed in with songs that describe hell" [2] and stated that it was the darkest, most painful work he had ever done. [5]
Two versions of the album were released, each containing a different DVD. One release featured a live concert and a twelve-minute music video for the song "Real Underground Baby", and another featured a short 3D film for the song "Bowling Balls", shot in high-definition video. [6]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
RapReviews | 3.5/10 [7] |
Of the album's conclusion to the Dark Carnival storyline, AllMusic's David Jeffries wrote that "Insane Clown Posse sound tired of the concept, only getting inspired when they've moved on from it". [3] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews wrote that "Hell's Pit may be appopriately[ sic ] named, if only because I felt like I was in a burning pit of Hell in my ears while listening to it. Actually, that might be preferable to ever playing this album again". [7] Walker MacMurdo of Willamette Week stated: "although the first half of the album bears a little too much of a resemblance to Korn's disappointing output of the early 2000s, the consistency of the second half of Hell's Pit makes it one of ICP's stronger offerings". [8]
All lyrics are written by Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, except for track 2 contains additional lyrics by Rich Murrell.
No. | Title | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | 1:31 | |
2. | "Walk into the Darkness" | Mike Puwal | 3:24 |
3. | "Suicide Hotline" | Fritz The Cat | 3:32 |
4. | "C.P.K.'s" | Esham | 2:47 |
5. | "Truly Alone" | Fritz The Cat | 3:54 |
6. | "Everyday I Die" | Mike Puwal | 3:23 |
7. | "The Night of the 44" |
| 3:00 |
8. | "The Witch" | Mike Puwal | 3:16 |
9. | "Bowling Balls" | [uncredited] B. Jones | 3:28 |
10. | "24" |
| 2:13 |
11. | "Burning Up" | Mike Puwal | 3:34 |
12. | "Sedatives" | Mike Puwal | 2:58 |
13. | "In My Room" | Mike Puwal | 3:51 |
14. | "Basehead Attack" | Esham | 4:16 |
15. | "Angels Falling" | Esham | 3:21 |
16. | "Manic Depressive" |
| 3:14 |
17. | "Real Underground Baby" | Esham | 12:36 |
Total length: | 1:04:18 |
Chart (2004) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA) [9] | 49 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [10] | 25 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [11] | 22 |
US Billboard 200 [12] | 12 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [13] | 1 |
Hell's Cellar | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | July 19, 2018 | |||
Genre | Horrorcore | |||
Length | 35:39 | |||
Label | Psychopathic Records | |||
Producer | Insane Clown Posse | |||
Insane Clown Posse chronology | ||||
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Hell's Cellar an extended play by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on July 19, 2018 at the Gathering of the Juggalos festival via Psychopathic Records. It is composed of nine outtakes from The Wraith: Hell's Pit and has no verses from Shaggy 2 Dope. [14]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [14] |
In 2017, it was announced that Insane Clown Posse would perform The Wraith: Hell's Pit album in its entirety at the 2018 Gathering of the Juggalos (happened July 18 – 20 at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio). On July 13, 2018, the duo announced that in preparation for the 2018 Gathering of the Juggalos, they had found nine "lost Violent J recordings from the Hell's Pit recording sessions" and would release them as an EP on the day of the Hell's Pit show (July 19, 2018), and titled it Hell's Cellar. [15] During ICP's seminar, they announced that they found 13 songs all together, but decided to release nine then and the rest on the 20th anniversary edition.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Hell's Pit Intro" (Extended) | 1:37 |
2. | "Clown Show" | 3:45 |
3. | "Can't End Myself" | 3:23 |
4. | "Takin' It Away" | 4:01 |
5. | "I Can See It All" | 3:41 |
6. | "Big Bad Wolf" | 3:36 |
7. | "Alakazam" | 3:27 |
8. | "Spontaneous Combust" | 4:37 |
9. | "The Truth" | 7:32 |
Total length: | 35:39 |
The Wraith: Shangri-La is the eighth studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on November 5, 2002, by Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 2002 at multiple recording studios throughout the United States. The album is the first of two albums representing the sixth Joker's Card in the group's Dark Carnival mythology. The album's lyrics describe the titular Wraith's exhibition of heaven.
Carnival of Carnage is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 18, 1992, by Psychopathic Records.
Riddle Box is the third studio album by the American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, released in 1995 on Battery Records and Island Records in association with Psychopathic Records. It is the third Joker's Card in the group's Dark Carnival mythology. It was released a second time by Battery Records and Jive Records. In 2008 it was re-released on a Riddle Box vinyl record. The album was the first Insane Clown Posse album in which the group worked with studio vocalist and guitarist Rich Murrell, who would work with the group throughout much of their career under the name Legz Diamond. It was released in four different versions, and earned a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2008, Riddle Box was re-released on vinyl double LP format. In 2015, Psychopathic Records reissued the album in a 20th anniversary edition, featuring bonus tracks.
Ringmaster is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, and their second Joker Card in the first Deck of the Dark Carnival mythology. It was originally released on January 28, 1994 via Psychopathic Records and was reissued in 1998 through Island Records. Recording sessions took place at 313 Studio in Detroit. Production was handled by Mike E. Clark and ICP themselves. It features guest appearances from Capitol E and Jumpsteady. The album's lyrics describe the leader of the Carnival, who serves as one of the judges of one's soul in the afterlife, as being created from the listener's own evils.
Psychopathic Records is an American independent record label headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The label is most associated with the hip-hop music subgenres horrorcore and rap rock. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. The iconography of a man with a meat cleaver has been used for years as a symbol of the group, its fanbase, and its associates.
Beverly Kills 50187 is the first extended play by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. It was released on July 16, 1993 via Psychopathic Records as the first "sideshow" entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga. The group felt that they should release EPs in between their studio albums during the Dark Carnival series, in order to build and satisfy their fanbase. It is the second overall release by Insane Clown Posse.
Joseph Frank Bruce, known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP). He is a co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow ICP rapper Shaggy 2 Dope and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Also along with Utsler, Bruce is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling.
Joseph William Utsler, known by his stage name Shaggy 2 Dope, is an American rapper, record producer, DJ, podcast host, and professional wrestler. He is part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow Insane Clown Posse rapper Violent J and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Along with Bruce, Utsler is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling, where he currently acts as color commentator.
The Tempest is the tenth studio album by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on March 20, 2007, through Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at The Lotus Pod, The Haunted Cabin Studios and The Fun House in Detroit. Production was entirely handled by Mike E. Clark, marking his return after he had a falling-out with the duo in 2000. However, he did not collaborate directly with ICP, and would not do so until their 2009 album Bang! Pow! Boom!
The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual music festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label roster as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground artists. It was founded by Jumpsteady, Insane Clown Posse, and their label in 2000. Described by Joseph Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock", the Gathering of the Juggalos spans five days and includes concerts, wrestling, games, contests, autograph sessions, karaoke, and seminars with artists. Over its first eleven events (2000–2010), the festival drew a total attendance upward of 100,000 fans.
Soopa Villainz is an American hip hop supergroup based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 2002, the group consists of Joseph Bruce, Joseph Utsler and Esham. Lavel was later added to the lineup, but left during the group's hiatus. Since 2018, the group has reverted to its original lineup. The songs of Soopa Villainz center thematically on nefarious actions conducted by comic book supervillains. The group went on hiatus in 2005. ICP announced at its 2016 GOTJ seminar that the group would be reuniting for 2017. During ICP's performance on July 21, 2018 a banner showing the groups logo was unfurled, teasing the return of the group.
Forgotten Freshness Volume 4 is a rarities album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. It features rare and unreleased tracks recorded throughout the group's career. It also came with a bonus compilation album of all of the Insane Clown Posse's yearly Hallowicked song releases, titled Hallowicked Compilation. The album is unique for having a pumpkin scent to its discs, matching the Hallowicked theme. It is the group's 4th installment in the "Forgotten Freshness album series", their 6th compilation album, and their 21st overall release.
"Bowling Balls" is a song written by Esham and Joseph Bruce for Insane Clown Posse's 2004 album Hell's Pit, and the fourth single released by the group that was not produced by Mike E. Clark. The song's lyrics describe decapitation and murder. A short film of the same name was produced in association with the album, appearing on a special edition. Bowling Balls was the first 3-D film shot in high-definition video.
The Calm is the eleventh extended play by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on May 17, 2005 via Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled entirely by ICP themselves. It features the lone guest appearance from Esham. The EP peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, number five on the Top Rap Albums and topped the Independent Albums in the United States.
"Homies" is a song written by Insane Clown Posse, Mike Puwal and Twiztid for ICP's 2002 album The Wraith: Shangri-La. After the 1992 single "Psychopathic", "Homies" is the second single released by the group to not be produced by Mike E. Clark, who had stopped working with Psychopathic Records due to a disagreement with ICP's Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler. Clark later produced a remix of the song, which appeared on Forgotten Freshness Volume 4, after Clark reconciled with ICP.
The Dark Carnival is a series of concept albums described by hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse in much of their discography. The concept, similar to the "heaven and hell" language of monotheistic religions, is the primary source of inspiration for Insane Clown Posse's two series of albums called Joker's Cards, each containing six albums.
Bang! Pow! Boom! is the eleventh studio album by the American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. Released on September 1, 2009 by Psychopathic Records, it was the group's second album with producer Mike E. Clark since his return to Psychopathic Records, and the first album to focus on the Dark Carnival since the conclusion of the group's original "Joker's Cards" series. The character is the first of a set of six new Joker's Cards.
Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances. The duo has earned two platinum and five gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the entire catalog of the group had sold 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007. The group has established a dedicated following called Juggalos numbering in the "tens of thousands".
Robert Bruce is an American retired rapper and professional wrestler who would go on to become a Don for Psychopathic Records.
F.T.F.O.M.F. is the second solo studio album by American rapper Shaggy 2 Dope. It was released in 2017 through Psychopathic Records. Production was handled by DJ Clay and Shaggy 2 Dope himself. It features the lone guest appearance from Violent J. The album debuted at No. 72 on the US Billboard 200, No. 39 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, No. 18 on the Top Album Sales and topped the Independent Albums chart.