The Dark Carnival is a series of concept albums described by hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse in much of their discography.
The concept was reportedly inspired by a dream of Insane Clown Posse member Violent J where spirits in a traveling carnival appeared to him.
The Dark Carnival concept was introduced with Joker Cards Deck 1, but not named, on Insane Clown Posse's first album Carnival of Carnage (1992), and was developed in subsequent releases Ringmaster (1994), Riddle Box (1995), The Great Milenko (1997), The Amazing Jeckel Brothers (1999), The Wraith: Shangri-La (2002), and The Wraith: Hell's Pit (2004).
[2] The character is a demon-like figure that Bruce describes as a "continuous explosion that stomps his way through the crowd blowing [...] evil souls [...] to Hell".
"[2] It features carnival rides and attractions which assist in this purpose, which is the focus of multiple albums and songs within the group's discography.
[2] Each of the Joker's Cards relates to a specific character in the Dark Carnival that tries to "save the human soul" by showing the wickedness inside of one's self.
[7] The Ringmaster himself is created through one's own sins, and is one of several who will judge whether a soul is worthy to enter heaven or doomed to eternal hell.
[9] The wicked see an immense fog seeping from the box, "stripping their sanity, as they witness an image of hell, spawned and formed from their own evil; a hideous reflection of their demented souls.
[10] The fifth Joker's Card, The Amazing Jeckel Brothers (1999), focuses on the nine circles of hell, and the morality of man as he is torn between righteousness and evil.
[13] The Wraith: Shangri-La revealed that the hidden message of Insane Clown Posse's music was always to follow God and make it to Heaven.
[4] The entity is a continuous explosion used to clear the carnival grounds when they become too crowded with souls of evil people who commit heinous sins such as pedophilia and murder.
[17] Fearless Fred Fury is a character who is a being of toxic anger, punishing souls who fail to live with dignity—those who put off all responsibility for their life, and feed on blame and resentment.
[16] The Dark Carnival acts as a way to remind people of the repercussions of their individual actions "in a language that today's world will understand and listen to.
"[1][19] It denounces actions that members Bruce and Joseph Utsler are against, including pedophilia, racism, bigotry, domestic violence, greed and sexual abuse.
[2] The themes of God's presence and the final judgment of individuals are explored in multiple Insane Clown Posse songs.
Throughout their career, the group has used parables set within the Dark Carnival mythology to warn of the ultimate consequences of immoral behavior.
"[21] Several journalists have commented on the apparent conflict between the group's sexualized and often violent lyrics and their stated spiritual message.
[8][22] In a June 2010 interview with The Columbian's Alan Sculley, Bruce explained, "[Sex and violence is] the stuff that people are talking about on the streets...to get attention, you have to speak their language.
"[22] In an October 2010 article for The Guardian, Jon Ronson characterized the Insane Clown Posse as "evangelical Christians" who have "only been pretending to be brutal and sadistic to trick their fans into believing in God.
[23] Eight days after publication of the Guardian article, Joseph Bruce tweeted "I think [it's] crazy how some press say we're a Christian band and act like we're all religious [...] I'm proud that we believe in God but I haven't been to church since I was like 10.
"[24][25][26] Christianity Today writer Mark Moring also challenged Ronson's characterization, writing that "The guys in ICP haven't used the word 'Christian' or 'evangelical' [...] so let's not call them anything that they're not claiming for themselves.
"[28] Joseph Utsler explained in a 2002 interview with Craig Markley that "God is in your heart [...] In my definition, it doesn’t matter what creed, religion, or group you belong to.