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![It's Dark and Hell Is Hot](/assets/artwork/1x1.gif)
School of hard knocks graduate DMX cuts an intimidating figure on his explosive major-label debut. But for all the dog-bark rapping and machismo, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot is a concept album about pain, above all else. He imbues manic-depressive fantasies like "Get at Me Dog" and conversations with Satan ("The Convo") with deep introspection—and the occasional Phil Collins interpretation (the spooky "I Can Feel It"). It's a masterful balance of control and catharsis; few voices are better suited to channel such heartache.