Eminem is back to claim his rightful place on the throne.

“The Marshall Mathers LP Two,” a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2000 album “Marshall Mathers LP,” was released on Nov. 5.

This is his eighth studio album, which is a clear indication that Eminem is one of rap music’s glorified veterans.

“The Marshall Mathers LP Two” is an assault for any listener.  It’s raw and intense like the original, with a range of songs that are each really distinctly  different.

The first single, “Berzerk,” borrows the guitar riffs from Billy Squier’s “The Stroke.” Supposedly this was a homage to the Beasty Boys, and Eminem makes that clear by almost mimicking the Beasty Boys aggressive style.

The following single was “Rapgod,” which highlighted Eminem’s rapid-fire flow and was an unexpected favorite on the album. But it does invoke a headache if listened to more than twice in a day.

“So Much Better” is a nod to some of his older songs, which makes this album feel a little more like a sequel to the original “Marshall Mathers LP.”

“Brainless” is also a bit of a throwback, because it’s written in the narrative style, chronicling his struggle with bullying as a kid.

It’s easier to listen to than the other songs because there’s a story to pay attention to instead of the typical ambiguous insults that litter the rest of the album.

“So Far…” is a very bizarre song and doesn’t make me feel anything but confused.  It’s pretty much Eminem rapping about his roots over a country-esque loop.

“Desperation,” featuring Jamie N Commons, is by far my favorite song on the album. It has a gospel-influenced chorus, and I am a total sucker for anything that sounds remotely like gospel.

This is a really awesome song because it’s so unique but still possesses Eminem’s lovable trademarks.

This album is an interesting mix of songs. Some push the boundaries really far, while others are a true throwback with a nostalgic feel.  There’s something really special in the variety that this album has and it is really worth checking out.

But there is still one looming mistake this album will not be able to shake. The fact that the album is a sequel completely changes the vibe it has, the hype it garnered, and the respect it deserves.

Sequels, whether they be books, movies, or albums, only exist because the original was so great. How can a follow-up to a huge success live up to the hype?

Plus, it’s a sequel to an album that was released 13 years ago.

This album has a similar vibe to the original, but it’s not a continuation. Once I got over the fact that “two” was tacked onto the end of the title, I was able to enjoy the album a lot more.

I give this album a two and a half out of four Grizzly paws.