The Dark Carnival is a series of concept albums described by hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse in much of their discography. The concept, similar to the "heaven and hell" language of monotheistic religions, is the primary source of inspiration for Insane Clown Posse's two series of albums called Joker's Cards, each containing six albums.
The Dark Carnival is where souls face judgment based on their individual actions before being sent to heaven or hell. The concept was reportedly inspired by a dream of Insane Clown Posse member Violent J where spirits in a traveling carnival appeared to him.
Most Insane Clown Posse studio albums are a part of the 2 decks of jokers cards as a part of The Dark Carnival. Albums not included in either hand are the double albums Bizaar / Bizzar and The Tempest.
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).
It returned with the continuation of Deck 2 starting on the release Bang! Pow! Boom! (2009), then afterwards with The Mighty Death Pop! (2012), The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost / Found (2015), Fearless Fred Fury (2019), and Yum Yum Bedlam (2021). This deck will be completed with the announced sixth card "The Nauht".[citation needed]