Search - Run-D.M.C. :: Back From Hell

A Good Album in a Time of Turmoil for the Band---

Hype Currie | Detroit, Michigan United States | 04/01/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album was released in 1990. By this time, the (undeserved) street backlash to TOUGHER THAN LEATHER gave the group a bad reputation in hip-hop-only circles. Also, Rap had splintered off into several sub-factions: The success of West coast and Southern rap acts weakened the New York-centric stranglehold on the rap scene. Gangster rap, as epitomized by N.W.A., Ice T & the Geto Boys, made national headlines, and managed to get major sales regardless of limited radio & video airplay. The sexually explicit tales of Too Short and 2 Live Crew brought a decidedly blue flavor to rap, while achieving similar sales results. New York's newer Rap acts, like Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane brought updated topics and influences ranging from The Black Panthers to the Nation of Islam.

All this, combined with the fact that the hip-hop 'freshness' timetable is ridiculously accelerated, made New York traditionalists like Run DMC seem, well, old. "Pause" was a comeback single that hit in 1989, that adopted the then-hot New Jack Swing style of R&B production. For the album, the band self-produces for the first time (longtime collaborators Larry Smith and Davy D work on a few cuts, but keyboardist Stanley Brown has the most prominent role), and eschews the rock aesthetic that they pioneered (which by that time, had been virtually abandoned for funk & soul samples) and goes full-throttle into Teddy Riley territory (indeed, Aaron Hall shows up on "Don't Stop").. The results are mixed.

The band sure curses a lot more, which is either a sign of the band's frustrations at the time, or a pained attempt at being contemporary: The title track "Back from Hell" is a series of anecdotes about thugs going into or getting released from prison. There are some vague guitar licks scratched in, and that's about the most of the rock-rap fusion to be found on this release. People expecting "Raising Hell part 2" will be disappointed. Most of the songs would be okay for anyone else, but Run DMC fans demand more.



Arista Records bought the Profile catalog in the late 90's and re-released the standard versions of Run DMC's studio LPs. However, Back from Hell was not included in the 2004 expanded versions of the group's albums. At the time of the album's original promotion, there was a groundbreaking 12-inch/EP-only remix of the single "Back From Hell" featuring Ice Cube and Public Enemy's Chuck D. That makes for at least one potential bonus cut that could be included for a proper re-release."

RUN DMC IS BACK AGAIN

JP | 07/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This group is definitely hot. RUN DMC should be inducted into the "hip hop hall of fame", no doubt. I been listening to Run DMC for years (even before the Krush Groove Era). These fellas has not lost their hip hop edge. Hard Core beats and tossed lyrics was always a hit and Run DMC mastered that part of the RAP GAME. Eventhough, It's been a while since their last recording Run DMC is still my favorite. "The KINGS FROM QUEENS" is still hotter than ever."

Whole New Run DMC

JP | Ontario, Canada | 11/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to give credit to these guys because this album begins the social political issue messages in Hip Hop! Caution: This album is strait Hip Hop, not rock! So, if u like Run DMC's strait Hip Hop, buy this Cd, if you don't, then get there other classics! R.I.P. Jam Master Jay (1965-2002)"