To understand "Relapse," one must first understand the darkness that preceded it. After the release of 2004's "Encore," Eminem entered a period of severe creative stagnation. A debilitating writer's block, exacerbated by a heavy dependence on prescription sleeping medication, pushed him to the brink. For nearly five years, one of music's most potent voices fell into near-total silence.

The "Refill" portion is widely regarded as a superior or more polished collection of songs compared to some of the filler on the original Relapse . It was the bridge that saw Eminem move away from the "horrorcore" persona and closer to the more introspective style of his next album, Recovery . Key Tracks on Refill :

is often ranked among Eminem’s best work by hardcore fans. It is celebrated for its technical complexity unapologetic darkness pure chemistry