Detroit horrorcore pioneer Esham is about as far from the public’s idea of a “conscious rapper” as anyone can be, yet his 15th solo album, Sacrificial Lambz, finds the veteran imparting wisdom and knowledge with all the conviction of a Mos Def or a Common. “Levies Broke” is a poignant seminar on the downfall of Detroit, while “Substance Abuse” is heart-wrenching portrayal of depression and addiction. Passion has always been present in Esham’s work, but as he ages his compassion has grown. It’s hard to believe that the man best known for his outlandish and kaleidoscopic horror raps is now making songs as concise and emotionally determined as “Get Me Down.” Sacrificial Lambz touches on every point in the sonic spectrum from the spare rock guitar of “6 Million” to the Middle Eastern orchestration of “Sacrificial Lambz”; from the Auto-Tuned pop hook of “Better Than the Best” to the spooky aggression of “Angels & Demons”; and from the primitive electro of “Ringtone” to “Unholy Knights,” which samples a choral rendition of “Silent Night.” Surely one of the most audacious and inspiring hip-hop albums of 2008.