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At the 2015 Gathering of the Juggalos, a rare EP was handed out to those in attendance. This EP was titled Phantom. It consisted of sample tracks from Young Wicked (off his released album Slaughter), Big Hoodoo (off his upcoming album Asylum), Anybody Killa (off his upcoming album Shapeshifter), and DJ Paul (off his self-released mixtape Da Light Up, Da Poe Up). In addition to these tracks, five brand new Insane Clown Posse tracks were included. They were recorded after The Marvelous Missing Link sessions, and is completely different in style and overall vibe than those albums. After they were released online as well (in which the downloads can be found here), and an overwhelmingly positive reaction, ICP rereleased these tracks in addition to four other tracks (one being a remix). This release is now called Phantom: X-Tra Spooky Edition.

1. Phantom
2. No More Jail
3. Benapryl
4. Complicated World
5. Detroit Car Jackin’
6. Super Duper
7. Murder Gone Wrong
8. Williamsburg Psych Ward
9. Get Clowned (Remix)

This is classified as a sideshow EP. If you’re familiar with the old sideshow EPs from the ‘90s such as Beverly Kills 50187, The Terror Wheel, and Tunnel of Love, then you’ll immediately recognize the unique flavor in the concept. Basically, between main albums, ICP would release small EPs as holdover until the next release, and each EP has its own concept. The overall sound can be unique to each its own, or it could be a sample of what to expect from the next album.

The EP idea was doormat for a long while (not including The Calm and Eye of the Storm during The Tempest era), until last year, when The First Six Boxset came out. It included House of Wax (in which the review can be found here), and serves as the sideshow after Mighty Death Pop! basically. Now, the sideshow after The Marvelous Missing Link (Lost) and The Marvelous Missing Link (Found) has been revealed as Phantom: X-Tra Spooky Edition, and this sideshow is well worth the admission.

First off, the producers for this release varies. Seven, Young Wicked, and Kuma all contributed to the project. Amazingly, all three of them capture the same vibe and essence track by track, and it’s almost like as if the three producers worked on the beats at the same exact time. The best way to describe Phantom: X-Tra Spooky Edition is eerie, haunting, brooding, and scary.

Another thing to take note of is the various skits and clips between the songs. It can range from standup comedy, old wrestling promos, news segments, and more. If you’re listening to this EP for the first time, then the skits are necessary, as they match the overall mood of the release and creates a unique atmosphere. After more than once though, then the skits aren’t really needed, and you’re more than likely to skip through them without hesitation. Some of them are painstakingly annoying and is a failed attempt at humor, while others are quite hilarious. Due to the ability to cut out or skip through them, it doesn’t take away from the overall rating of the EP.

“Phantom” is the first track, and is a good introduction, although sonically is more different than the other tracks on the EP. The beat is heavy, and can be reminiscent of old school Beastie Boys to an extent. The consistent loud noises during the verses are followed by spooky electronica sounds during the hook, and the loud-quiet-loud pattern works well throughout the song. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope both take turns as their verses are as wicked as they come, maybe the most wicked they have been in a long time.

“No More Jail” is a bold standout song. With Young Wicked on the haunting chorus, which is catchy in itself, ICP delivers a story of two criminals escaping the law. Their verses of running from the police match the simplistic yet catchy beat, and follows up with the echoing chorus, timed perfectly.

“Benapryl” is an interesting track, in which Violent J makes a solo appearance. His lines are best described as someone taking a medication that doesn’t seem to do much of anything, except make life worse. If you’re familiar with drugs such as Buspar or Zoloft (and any other antidepressant or antipsychotic), then you may just relate to this song on a personal level. The back story is painfully true to a lot of cases, and the struggle within the lyrics is quite evident. Again, the beat is simplistic, but the simplicity matches the complex misery of the verses.

“Complicated World” is a song where Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope exchange lines throughout the verses. One of them asks a question, and the other answers. If you heard “Questions” off of Bizzar from 2000, then you’ll know what to expect. This song takes a more serious approach, and although the questions are obvious, it still shows that the wicked clowns can tackle any issue thrown at them, and puts their own twist on it. Their message overall encourages one to be self-aware and have strong willpower, despite all the shortcomings the world has to currently offer.

“Detroit Car Jackin’” is the sole track that takes away from the more eerie tones on the EP, and tells the story of the title track, which is grand theft auto in Detroit. The beat is a bit more complex than the other ones, containing a consistent electronic line during the verses, and the chorus is jumbled static that still fits the song just fine. It’s not nearly as powerful as the other tracks, but that’s hard to overcome since the EP at this point is already extremely solid.

“Super Duper” is the first new song on this specific edition of the EP. Violent J’s verses reflects someone that basically has super powers, but with a twist to it towards the end. The music has a low-toned bass heavy vibe to it, and parallels the hopeless lyrics. Even the hook in itself has a feeling of being hopeless and almost sarcastic. In essence, both the music and lyrics seem desperate and it’s a good match. It was mentioned in a previous news post that an Eazy-E effect was used as a basis for the main vocals.

“Murder Gone Wrong” is the third track on the EP that only features Violent J on the verses. His first verse has him revisiting his lower tone and his voice actually sounds vastly different than usual. It sounds almost sinister and it works out. His voice returns to normal in his second verse, and the reasoning for doing this is unknown, but the diversity is a good idea overall. There’s a joker sample during the hook which is obnoxious and high pitched, but to match the back story, it was obviously included on purpose.

“Williamsburg Psych Ward” is a song where Shaggy 2 Dope makes a solo appearance. His concept is an interesting take on the obvious psych ward, with a wicked vibe to it. The beat features a horn section combined with various electronica lines, and is just as unique and spooky as the rest of the EP.

“Get Clowned (Remix)” is a track originally from The Marvelous Missing Link (Found). The track found on the main album is by Kuma, and this track is by Young Wicked (apparently the original mix has yet to be heard). It’s just like the other version in terms of being upbeat and fun (for lack of a better term). The consistent piano matches the verses perfectly and uplifts the overall mood of the song. There are certain parts of the music which sounds jumbled and unnecessary. The main thing that sticks out is the annoying party horn that randomly is blown throughout the hook. It sounds out of place and is a quick turn off, but it at least doesn’t ruin the rest of the track.

After all is said and done, Phantom: X-Tra Spooky Edition is a valuable sideshow. The tracks have an eerie sense of atmosphere to them. Although ICP are obviously masters of the wicked vibes, this EP takes it to a whole new level. Lyrically, it harks back to the older style of ICP and can be both brutal or comedic. Musically, it’s an entirely different direction as a whole and some of it is quite simplistic yet executed perfectly. This EP proves that a plethora of effects, samples, instruments, and layers are not a necessity to create a good release, with a few tracks on the EP being an exception but the diversity is not a negative thing. There are very few flaws in the EP, and those flaws are so minimally inane that it’s not a huge deal. Phantom: X-Tra Spooky Edition is either a sole offering of a unique sound, or it’s a sample of the upcoming direction for ICP. Regardless of the intention, it might just be one of the best releases put out by ICP, and that is a statement which is painfully hard to publish.

Favorite Tracks:

1. No More Jail
2. Benapryl
3. Complicated World
4. Super Duper
5. Phantom

Length:

• 64 Minutes 24 Seconds

Record Label:

• Psychopathic Records

Release Date:

• 12/09/2015

Purchase:

• Hatchet Gear - $9.98

Websites:

• Insane Clown Posse - Official Site

Reviewer:

• Xanarki