The Great Milenko

Infobox Album |
Name = The Great Milenko
Type = Album
Artist = Insane Clown Posse


Released = June 24, 1997
Recorded = 1996-1997
Genre = Horrorcore, Midwest hip hop, rap rock
Length = 67:31
Label = Hollywood Records (initial)
Island/Psychopathic
Producer = Mike E. Clark
ICP
Reviews =*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hbfqxqyhldfe~T1 link]
*Entertainment Weekly C- [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,288784,00.html link]
*Rolling Stone Rating|2|5 [cite book |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |editor=Brackett, Nathan |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2004 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location= |isbn=0743201698 |pages=405–6 ]
*Yahoo! Music (favorable) [http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/12032871 link]
Last album = "Mutilation Mix"
(1996)
This album = "The Great Milenko"
(1997)
Next album = "Forgotten Freshness Volumes 1 & 2
(1998)Extra chronology 2
Artist = Joker's Cards
Type = Album
Last album = "Riddle Box
(1995)
This album = "The Great Milenko"
(1997)
Next album = "The Amazing Jeckel Brothers"
(1999)

"The Great Milenko" is the fourth studio album released by American horrorcore/hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, originally released by Hollywood Records, and later reissued by Island Records and Psychopathic Records. It is the fourth of the six "Joker's Cards" albums in the Dark Carnival mythology, and revolves around The Great Milenko, a necromancer and master of illusions who tempts people into following a path of hedonism and evil for material comforts. Released in 1997, this is one of Insane Clown Posse's most popular albums; it features some of ICP's most famous tracks, including "Hokus Pokus", "Boogie Woogie Wu", "The Neden Game", "Down With The Clown", and "Halls of Illusions". Magik Magik Ninjas Whut

The album was recorded at the studios of Hollywood Records, a Disney-owned record label.cite book |last=Bruce |first=Joseph |authorlink=Joseph Bruce |coauthors=Hobey Echlin |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=ICP: Behind the Paint |origdate= |origyear=2003 |origmonth=August |edition=2nd Edition |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=09741846083 |pages=pages 295 |chapter=Hollywood's Circus of Stars ] After recording was completed, a board of Disney representatives threatened to halt the release of the album unless some significant changes were made to its material.cite book |last=Bruce |first=Joseph |authorlink=Joseph Bruce |coauthors=Hobey Echlin |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=ICP: Behind the Paint |origdate= |origyear=2003 |origmonth=August |edition=2nd Edition |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=09741846083 |pages=pages 306-314 |chapter=Banned by a Filthy Rat ] Insane Clown Posse were told to remove three whole songs from the album, "Under the Moon," "Boogie Woogie Wu," and "The Neden Game." The content from most of the other songs had to be altered as well, all at Disney's request. Fearing that their careers may end and their star-filled record would never see the light of day, ICP obliged. However, just hours after the album's initial release, it was unexpectedly pulled from the shelves, ICP's upcoming tour was cancelled, and they were dropped from the record label. It was later revealed that Disney had received much criticism from certain religious organizations, and in fear of tarnishing their reputation, forced Hollywood Records to drop the act.

A media frenzy soon followed, fuelled by ICP's appearances on MTV expressing outrage over their treatment by Hollywood Records. Although originally unwilling to nullify ICP's recording contract and relinquish ownership of the album, Hollywood eventually reached a deal with Island Records (which ironically was owned at the time by Hollywood's then-distributor PolyGram), who promptly re-released the album in uncut form. In the end, the controversy turned out to be a blessing in disguise for ICP; the high-profile debacle had created huge public interest in the group and their music. The album went on to become certified platinum.

Track listing

Message

From deep within the Netherworld of Shadow-Walkers comes yet another exhibit of the Dark Carnival. He is the master of the art of using magic without magic. He is a Necromancer... the craft of using magic through the dead. Dead meaning both physically and mentally. This spectacle shall be witnessed only by those who are meant to see it. Look deep inside of your soul and ask yourself. Do you hold a ticket to witness the show? The answer lies within yourself. He is the fourth to rise. He feeds upon one's own greed. He is powered by one's own jealousy, lust, and temptation. To envision yourself with something that rightfully does not belong to you... that is the illusion cast by him. To act upon this vision and seek it out at the expense of another... that is the magic cast by him. Continuous dreamers of profit at the cost of another are pledged and haunted by his wizardry. Others are content and satisfied with what they can achieve by themselves and have not the urge to tamper with another's well being for quick gain. They see him only as a hoax and see no illusions or magic by he. It is simple... He is you. His illusions are your evil thoughts. Your evil acts are his magic - yesterday, now and forever. You and he are the fourth to rise... You and he are the master of Necromancy... You the dead and him the magic. Together, you and he are The Great and Evil Milenko.

ong and album notes

* The song "House of Horrors" has the backwards message: I'm Gonna Kill Ya!
* 5 videos were made for the album - "Halls of Illusions", "How Many Times", "Hokus Pokus", "Piggy Pie", and an unofficial video for "Down With The Clown"(featured on JCW volume 1).cite video |date2=2001 |title=Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Volume 1 |medium=DVD |publisher=Psychopathic Video |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |accessdate=2008-06-06 |isbn=756504220092]
*Twiztid and Myzery appear in the video for "Hokus Pokus".cite book |last=Bruce |first=Joseph |authorlink= |coauthors=Hobey Echlin |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=ICP: Behind the Paint |origdate= |origyear=2003 |origmonth=August |edition=2nd Edition |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=09741846083 |pages=page 556-557 |chapter=Complete Discography ]
* The album was released in one of four colors; red, green, purple, and the very rare gold.

Chart positions

References