It was released through Virgin Records and Ruff Ryders and featured production from the likes of Swizz Beatz and Rockwilder.

Hell and Back debuted and peaked at number 47 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales nearing 37,000 units.

[2] AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found the album to be lackluster compared to Opposite of H2O, criticizing the producers and Drag-On's label mates for crafting uninspired beats and lyrics.

[3] Jon Caramanica, writing for Rolling Stone, commended Drag-On for emulating DMX's world-weary flow and fine-tuning his lyricism but felt that he squandered it when either compared to the album's guest artists or delivering generic party tracks.

[4] Vibe writer Laura Checkoway praised the combination of Drag-On's vocal delivery over idiosyncratic production and his attempts at lyrical growth on "My First Child" and "Life Is Short", despite diverting away from that established blueprint, concluding that "Hell and Back is still a trip worthwhile.