Judgement Day

Originally released as two volumes in April 1992, *Judgement Day* is rap’s first double album. Although it has been almost totally ignored by the hip-hop establishment, Esham’s sophomore effort stands as a lo-fi rap masterpiece. Even now, the songs come off bold. If it had never been done before, then Esham was interested in trying it. The album features some of the most inventive uses of samples on any rap record from this era — even the commonly used samples appear here raw and invigorated. Esham’s delivery is rough and venomous, the perfect tone for his devilish subject matter. The music manages to unite the savage intent of heavy metal, the raw attack of early hip-hop, and the hallucinatory atmosphere of psychedelic rock. The fact that the production values are rough-hewn only adds to the album’s appeal. Taken as a whole, these thirty tracks represent a thrilling, and often terrifying, listening experience. Be sure not to miss “Nine Dead Bodies,” “Momma Was a Junkie,” “Acid,” “Losing My Religion,” “Judgement Day,” “Living In I\*\*\*\*t” and “Finger In the Cake Mix.”

Esham's ambitious Judgement Day double album may not be his most well-crafted work, but it certainly stands as his most inspired work of the '90s, surpassing any of his solo albums or his NATAS albums in sheer scope.