Eminem

"The fuckin' Antichrist is back," barks Eminem during a particularly vitriolic and violent verse on Relapse's final vigil, "Underground."

Is Eminem the devil?

No, but he's more evil than he's ever been. Relapse is Eminem's most dangerous album since his debut, The Slim Shady LP. On the opening track, "3 a.m.," he comes out with guns blazing, rolling through a blood-soaked, drug-dripped rampage. His signature inflection slices through Dr. Dre's bouncy beats, and it's clear King Mathers is back with a vengeance.

"Insane" is the funniest tale of incest ever, juxtaposing hilarity, "I was born with a dick in my brain, yeah fucked in the head," with true horror. It's unsettling and undeniable—just like a Shady song should be. It'd be easy to feel dirty after listening to Relapse if Eminem weren't as clever as he is. Then there's another murder fantasy, "Same Old Song and Dance," which feels psychotically psychedelic. Singles "We Made You" and "Crack a Bottle" bob and weave with infectious hooks. "Beautiful" is dark, painful and poetic with its Em-production. Then there's another unlikely banger, "For Old Time's Sake," which sees Eminem and Dre squaring off over that sticky-icky just like back in the day.

However, "Underground" says it all. As a choir screams the chorus, Mr. Mathers verbally strips all of his favorite movie villians of their edge, and he reclaims his spot at the top. Yes, Relapse comes post overdose, but Em's simultaneously stronger and sicker than ever.

This album should be your drug of choice this summer. Hail Shady...

—Rick Florino
05.19.09