W.A.S.P. - review added 2nd October 2009
Album Review: W.A.S.P. - Babylon (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and the four horsemen
I must confess I haven't heard any new W.A.S.P. music for years, not since their 1992 effort The Crimson Idol...an album which successfully put me off them completely. I actually caught them live a year or two ago and was most impressed - even the Crimson Idol material sounded 'right' live - but album-wise I am a virgin of 17 years.
Another 8 albums have passed by in the meantime giving Babylon, their 14th studio release to date, plenty of clear air from Chainsaw Charlie and co.. The sound, as you'd expect, has moved on considerably.
This is a much brighter, happier sounding album (even though the story behind the lyrics is doom and gloom) and has a hard rock backbone with plenty of references to other styles and genres. Opening track 'Crazy' is classic W.A.S.P. with occasional forays into The Beatles' guitar riff cupboard. Blackie Lawless is on splendid form and has a real upbeat clarity to his voice. Whether he intended to sound quite so bubbly whilst singing about the four horseman of the apocalypse, I'm not sure, but that's certainly how he comes across.
'Babylon's Burning', the song I guess we'll refer to as the title track, is a fast paced corker with drums that are so W.A.S.P. it hurts, The cover of Deep Purple's classic 'Burn' is great too. It's impressive just how much it sounds like a W.A.S.P. track. If I didn't know better I'd assume Blackie had written it. 'Into The Fire' is a moody ballad, again with a light edge to it, that sees an emotional vocal performance and measured ascent from start to finish. I can see this track being many people's favourite from Babylon.
'Thunder Red' is speedy number that's a touch too anonymous for my tastes. 'Seas Of Fire' is much better. It's bouncy, catchy and boasts a top drumming performance from Mike Dupke. 'Godless Run' is another fantastic ballad although it really, really reminds me of a slowed down version of 'Nights On Broadway' by the Bee Gees. Maybe I'm going mad! Final track 'Promised Land' was originally by Chuck Berry. It's a strange choice, doesn't sound a lot like W.A.S.P., but is fun all the same. I bet it'll go down a storm live!
To me Babylon is a fine album. It isn't great, but it's good and solid. A few parts plod, a few moments are exceptional. I'd certainly rate it well above The Crimson Idol, but I suspect it's only hovering halfway in their overall discography.
Check out... The Bee Gee-ness of 'Godless Run'
Track List:
1. Crazy
2. Live To Die Another Day
3. Babylon's Burning
4. Burn
5. Into The Fire
6. Thunder Red
7. Seas Of Fire
8. Godless Run
9. Promised Land
Label: Global Music
Artist's website(s): W.A.S.P. , MySpace
