The sophomore effort from the Detroit, Michigan quartet known as the Eastside Ninjas—comprised of Jamie Madrox, Monoxide, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, and Anybody Killa—has arrived. Having risen to prominence after signing with the Insane Clown Posse at Psychopathic Records in the late 90s and early 2000s, the group eventually formed a “Pact of the 4” following the establishment of their own labels: Majik Ninja Entertainment, Grundy Entertainment, and Native World Inc. The announcement of The Return of the Lotus was met with significant skepticism, primarily due to the absence of two of the most iconic members of the original collective.
The album opens with “Shadow,” a track that blends trap and rock elements to explore themes of mortality. This is followed by “Eradicate,” which leans into a darker, atmospheric soundscape. Tracks like “Wolves” and “All of My Words” continue the narrative of survival and existential struggle, with the latter finding the group pleading for relief from their ongoing hardships.
As the project reaches its midway point, “Resilience” highlights the strength of character, while “Mummified” amplifies the rap-rock influences to discuss themes of entrapment. “Thoughts Lethal” maintains the guitar-heavy aesthetic, and the lead single, “I Kill ‘Em Better,” produced by Fritz the Cat and Grady Finch, delves into the darker, animalistic nature of the human psyche.
The latter half of the album, including “More Like Control” and the rap-rock-infused “Down 4 Life,” addresses the group’s history and their fractured relationship with Psychopathic Records. Unfortunately, the project struggles to resonate, arguably causing more alienation than their 2020 attempt to revive the Psychopathic Rydas. The closing track, “Walking Disaster,” serves as a somber reflection on their current trajectory.
Ultimately, The Return of the Lotus fails to capture the magic of the original Dark Lotus without the involvement of the Insane Clown Posse. While the production is tolerable, the project feels like a misstep in the Majik Ninja Entertainment catalog. It is a difficult listen for those who have followed these artists for over a decade, lacking the essential contributions of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope.
Score: 3/10