Insane Clown Posse Tickets Continued
Insane Clown Posse released Carnival of Carnage in 1992, which they
designated as "The First Joker's Card". The group hinted at the next five major-release albums
being numbered in this fashion. They also stated that "the end of time will consume us all" once
the Sixth Joker's Card was revealed, and that their fans would know all there is to know about The
Dark Carnival (alternatively referred-to as "The Dead Carnival" on The Riddlebox)â??
something that the band refers to on every album as a powerful force which has spoken to them.
In Insane Clown Posse's songs, the Dark Carnival often took the shape of a travelling
carnival road-show, where instead of harmless entertainment, the clowns and rides serve up
death and pain as punishment for the wicked.
The title and theme for each Joker's Card revealed a different "persona" of the Dark Carnival,
directing the listener to confront both the sins and mortality of the self and of the world, in the form
of fables about the Jokers' purpose within the Carnival. For example, The Great Milenko, a
magician, represents the illusions which people may present themselves in order to justify their
actions. The Amazing Jeckel Brothers appear upon one's death and juggle fireballs, one for
every sin committed in one's life. Jack represents one's evil spirit while Jake represents one's
good spirit. If Jake drops any one ball thrown to him by Jack, then the newly-departed is
banished to Hell. This concept of inner-duality is expanded-upon in the Sixth Joker's Card.
There is one Sixth Joker's Card, but there are two versions. While the face of the Sixth Joker's
Card was "The Wraith" (or simply Death), The Wraith had two "exhibits" to present to all who will
listen; The Wraith: Shangri-La (Heaven) and The Wraith: Hell's Pit (Hell). Each of
The Wraith's exhibits was given its own album. It was up to each listener, Insane Clown
Posse claimed, to decide which version of "The Wraith" is the correct one.
In November 2002, ten years after the first Joker's Card was released, in the final track of
The Wraith: Shangri-La, Insane Clown Posse revealed their big secret: "It ain't
about Violent J, or Shaggy, the Butterfly or '17'. When we speak of Shangri-la what you think we
mean? Truth is, we follow God, we've always been behind Him. The Carnival is God, and may all
Juggalos find Him! We're not sorry if we tricked you. We don't care what happens now."
