The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost

The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost
Studio album by Insane Clown Posse
Released	April 28, 2015
Recorded	Mid 2014 - Late 2014/Early 2015
Genre	Hardcore hip hop, indie hip hop, horrorcore
Length	53:47
Label	Psychopathic Records
Producer	Mike P., Seven, Otis, Kuma
Insane Clown Posse chronology
The Mighty Death Pop! (2012) The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost (2015) The Marvelous Missing Link: Found (2015)

The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost is the 13th studio album by Insane Clown Posse. It is the first part of the 3rd Joker Card in the second Deck of the Dark Carnival Saga. It was released on April 28, 2015 on Psychopathic Records via Sony's RED Distribution. It is the group's 34th overall release.

Background

First word about the album was in early to mid 2013, with Violent J stating "this album is going to be 'the album', ya know?" In early February 2014, with an interview with Faygoluvers.net, ICP was asked about the next Joker Card's title and what it looks like. They said they definitely have the title, and were putting on the finishing touches on the final print of what it will look like.^[1] ICP released the name and face of the album on their 20th anniversary Hallowicked show, on October 31, 2014.^[2] The album was scheduled to be released on Psychopathic Records on April 28, 2015. In a February 21, 2015 interview with Billboard, ICP said that "Lost" is like not having God in your life, always worrying about death, and looking at the world through negative lenses." He stated the "Lost" album is "more serious, has no comedy, and had a lot of darker beats".^[3] He also stated in the interview that Mike E. Clark would not be producing this album,^[4] so they got others in to make beats and produce the album. Violent J stated he gave 5 Juggalos a copy of the album to review, and 3 of 5 stated that it is scarier than Hell's Pit.

Promotion

To help promote the album, at Insane Clown Posse's annual "Big Ballas Xmas Party" they will be giving away free posters of "The Missing Link" to all who attend the show, on December 20, 2014. In the November 27, 2014 edition of the Hatchet Herald, it was announced that The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost merch will be available at their Big Ballas X-Mas Party on December 20, 2014 with Kottonmouth Kings.^[5] In late December 2014 The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost merch was made available on Psychopathic's official online store "Hatchetgear.com".

In early 2015 it was announced that Insane Clown Posse will be going on the "The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost In-Store Insanity Traveling Tour" on April 28, 2015 through May 28, 2015. Insane Clown Posse will release the dates and locations the second week of April.^[6] They also stated that they will go on tour to promote "The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost" sometime in June 2015 heading into the 16th Annual Gathering Of The Juggalos 2015. On March 30, 2015 insaneclownposse.com had a makeover to correspond with The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost. On April 3, 2015 ICP released that the album will be available for preorder digital download on April 7, 2015, and when you preorder the digital version you will get the track listing, as well as the first single off the album titled "Vomit".^[7] The rest of the album will automatically download on the album's release date.The album has been talked about and discussed already by many sources and well known critics, as well as among the critics who aren't as well known. Faygoluvers was one of the first sources to discuss the album after the announcement, as well as @psychopathicreviews on Instagram. Both sources have promised reviews as well. The album was leaked on April 21, 2015. In an April 27, 2015 interview with Violent J with Detroitnews.com, J stated that this album has a lot of trap beats, and EDM music. It was also stated that there were enough songs to be an EP, and it will be released on the group's tour. They will also release the outtakes of the recording sessions through their online store, hatchet gear. J also stated that work began on the albums after ICP finished up work on the Dark Lotus album The Mud, Water, Air & Blood, which was recorded from February 2014 through June 2014, and the debut album of their other group The Killjoy Club's album Reindeer Games, which was recorded from March 2014 through July 2014. In an April 28, 2015 press release, it was announced that the first music video will be shot in the upcoming week, it is unknown if it will be for the first single, or another song. With only a few dates into "The Marvelous Missing Link's In-Store INSANITY Tour", the remaining dates were cancelled due to Shaggy 2 Dope's probation on May 7, 2015. Due to Shaggy 2 Dope's probation issues, the group was also unable to tour to promte The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost.

Singles

The first single, entitled "Vomit", was released on April 7, 2015. People who preordered the album digitally received the single free. The second single was "Explosions", and was accompanied by a music video on May 14, 2015.

The third single titled "Falling Apart" was released March 9, 2016 and was accompanied by a music video released worldwide via Billboard.com. On April 22, 2016 ICP released the fourth single "I See The Devil" and was accompanied by a music video.

Music videos

On April 28, 2015 press release for the The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost it was stated that the first music video will be shot sometime in the upcoming week. On a segment of Sugar Slam's "Rock It Or Sock It" show on April 30, 2015 on Psychopathic Radio, Psychopathic producer Kuma announced that they have shot a video for the song "Explosions" and will be released sometime later this month.^[8] The music video was released on May 14, 2015.^[9] It was also co-released on Vice.com, exclusively for only 24 hours, as reported in the May 9, 2015 edition of the Hatchet Herald.

On March 9, 2016 the second music video for "Falling Apart" debuted worldwide via Billboard.com. On April 22, 2016 the third music video was released for the song "I See The Devil".

Commercial Performance

The album debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200, selling 18,000 copies in its first week.^[10] ICP won album of the week by vintagevynilnews.com, by being the highest ranking veteran artist.^[11]

Release

The album was released on April 28, 2015. It peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200, number 2 on the Independent charts, and number 2 on the Rap charts. June 16, 2015 with the posting of the 2015 gathering program on Juggalogathering.com it was announced that The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost and The Marvelous Missing Link: Found will be released on a 4 LP vinyl on September 18, 2015.

Track listing

Personnel

Vocals, Lyrics

• Violent J - Vocals, Lyrics
• Shaggy 2 Dope - Vocals, Lyrics
• Otis/Young Wicked - Additional Lyrics
• Big Hoodoo - Additional Background Vocals
• Jumpsteady - Lyrics/Vocals on "Intro", Additional Background Vocals
• Sugar Slam - Additional Background Vocals
• Chop - Additional Background Vocals
• Mean Dean - Additional Background Vocals
• J-Webb - Additional Background Vocals
• Ominous The Klown - Additional Background Vocals

Production

• Otis/Young Wicked - Production (1,7,10,11,13)
• Mike P. - Production (2,5,6,8)
• Michael "Seven" Summers - Production (3,4,9,14)
• Brian Kuma - Production (12)

Chart positions

The Marvelous Missing Link Tour

On August 22, 2015 ICP released the first few dates of the tour. On August 24, 2015 the official tour flyer for The Marvelous Missing Link was released. Also announced was that the tour will kick off on October 3, 2015 (at Rob Zombies Great American Bash) and will conclude on October 31, 2015 (at their annual Hallowicked Show. The supporting artists for the tour are: P.O.D., Stitches, Young Wicked (who is supporting the release of his debut album on PSY, Slaughter), and Dope D.O.D. On October 7, 2015 it was announced that Stitches hadn't shown to any tour dates due to his wife having their son prematurely. ICP said two artists they would try to get were Lil Eazy E and DJ Paul. On October 8, 2015 it was announced that DJ Paul would replace Stitches. The final lineup for the tour is Insane Clown Posse, P.O.D., DJ Paul, Dope D.O.D., Young Wicked. DJ Paul will also be performing at the Hallowicked After Party with Anybody Killa. Dope D.O.D.'so last night on the tour is November 3, 2015.

References