Bang! Pow! Boom! (Nuclear Edition)

Album Review

A "return to their original Dark Carnival ways," Bang! Pow! Boom! is the ultimate cult pleaser, an album that goes back to the viciousness of the band's early efforts with the help of longtime producer and greatest asset Mike E. Clark. The title of the album is actually the name of the main character, a demon with a voice that sounds like a screwed and chopped remix. Since their rapping hasn't significantly evolved from their early days, wicked clowns Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope have little trouble capturing that old-school flavor. Increase the sick and the sleazy slightly and they're right back where they started, which is at least good news for the few who aren't "Juggalos" but more casual ICP fans who find their Hell's-circus-meets-hip-hop style amusing. Clark's inventive production is even more persuasive as he loops cowabunga surf guitar for "The Bone" or gives "Imma Kill U" a "Humpty Dance" bassline. While the key track for the faithful will be the destructive title cut, the curious should try "To Catch a Predator," which parodies the MSNBC show right up to host Chris Hansen's famous question "What's in the bag?" ("Funyuns and condoms" is the answer here), or "Juggalo Island," which wistfully dreams of an island reserved for ICP fans. Otherwise, this is a formulaic album from the kings of slaughterhouse rap-rock, but fans will appreciate the extra enthusiasm from the duo, the bounty of filth, and maybe most of all, the reviving of the Dark Carnival mythos. [The Nuclear Edition contains a second disc of bonus and unreleased tracks, as well as a DVD containing two music videos and a documentary.]