W.A.S.P.'s TOP TEN ALBUMS ALL-TIME.

Written By Jason Voorhees

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Today we will feature one of the early kings of the Sunset Strip Metal scene.  As one of the founding fathers of glam metal, W.A.S.P. was one of the pioneers of this important musical genre.

Over the years, W.A.S.P. has carved out a very impressive discography catalog.  While their first three records screamed hair metal glory, the band went on to run the gamut of styles and sounds.  They were never afraid to push the envelope and their raw edgy attitude and grit made them key players in the heavy metal evolution.

Led by the infamous lead vocalist Blackie Lawless, W.A.S.P. took hair spray infusion to new levels.  Whether it was controversial song titles or throwing raw meat into the crowd, the band was always looking to shock the world.  In fact, their antics and live show prowess only fueled their popularity in the metal community circles.

As always, ranking this bands top albums will insight quite a challenge.  Unlike many of the previous bands, there is widespread debate and opinions as to which ones belong on the Mount Rushmore.  Nonetheless, we are always up for the challenge.  So sit back, grab a snack and take a deep dive with us into the chronicles of W.A.S.P.  Here is their top ten albums of all-time...

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10. 'K.F.D.' (1997)

Kill Fuck Die.  You cannot push the envelope much further than that one folks.  W.A.S.P.'s most polarizing album and least commercially accessible of all-time.  The album features a more industrial tone while taking on a polished and almost computerized production.  Die hard fans and loyalists were definitely turned off by the change in direction.  However; those same fans were thrilled to see the return of golden boy Chris Holmes on the axe.  Blackie's songwriting was extremely dark and twisted which closely followed his erratic emotional state of mind.  Not a terrible album but certainly not their finest hour.

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9. 'Dominator' (2007)

This was the album that would ultimately put W.A.S.P. back on the map.  After striking out on the dual concept 'The Neon God' clunkers, the group went back to the drawing board and wrote a solid classic metal thumper.  In fact, the album features some stalwart burning fire classics like "Long Way to Go", "The Burning Man" and "Heaven's Hung in Black."  It also features another standout semi-ballad "Take Me Up."  Plenty of classics to go around, W.A.S.P learned from previous mistakes as they once again embraced their roots.  Deja vu was in order!

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8. 'Babylon' (2009)

Old school W.A.S.P. was on full display on this thriller.  The album even featured covers of Deep Purple's "Burn" and Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" that were stone cold killers.  The standout tracks are "Crazy" and "Babylon's Burning" but it's the subtle gems that make this record a grand slam home run.  Blackie spent a ton of time writing phenomenal lyrics as he had recently renewed his Christian faith in Jesus.  This revelation seemed to ignite a new fire in the band and the results were amazing.  This record not only recaptures their glory years, it overshadows them in stellar fashion.

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7. 'Still Not Black Enough' (1995)

This is probably the most overlooked album in the catalog of W.A.S.P.  Originally planned to be a Lawless solo album, he decided instead for the brand name moniker.  Another very pissed off record with tons of energy and endless grit.  I sometimes think that Blackie's battle with his demons was the driving force of the band.  Another classic album that truly hit you at the core.  Timeless classics like "Goodbye America" and "I Can't" were what paced the record.  However the sleepers truly told the story of just how underrated it really was.  Another solid record.

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6. 'Golgotha' (2015)

Some try to write this off as just another Christian heavy metal wanna bee fraud.  However, true music enthusiasts recognize the full greatness of this full on masterpiece.  Another return to the sound and style of the glory days has this record leaving you coming back for more.  The first few tracks have that classic W.A.S.P. symphonic mastery.  But nothing rings out harder than "Slaves of the New Order" which beckons the call of their greatest hits mythology...an absolute barnburner folks!!  The ballad "Hero of the World" features an epic solo while the epic closer "Golgatha" is an ode to the band's beginnings and Blackie's newfound faith in Christ.

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5. 'Inside The Electric Circus' (1986)

Not quite the cream of the crop, but definitely worthy of gratitude and praise.  Full of stellar tracks up and down the album.  The only thing the album suffers from is that there really are no top of the line hits.  However; if its consistency you are looking for then this is your pick.  Very little filler abides here as it keeps the audience rocking with endless fervor.  This is a plug and play in its purest form.  Definitely a more angry tone than its predecessors as it shows that attitude that we have grown accustomed to with W.A.S.P.  Another underrated classic.

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4. 'Headless Children' (1989)

W.A.S.P reinvented themselves in one fellow swoop with this piece of art.  The band took on a heavier tone both musically and lyrically.  Probably the best songwriting to ever appear on a W.A.S.P album.  Quiet Riots Frankie Banali takes a seat at the drum kit which pays instant dividends.  Tracks like the title track "Headless Children" and "Mean Man" remain all-time greats.  Meanwhile their cover of the Who's "The Real Me" rattles the cage of even the most novice of fans.  Some say this is the bands best all-time album and who can really argue against that.  Definitely well written and worthy of bragging rights.  Solid record from start to finish!

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3. 'The Last Command' (1985)

Talk about thwarting the sophomore slump jinx.  While many sophomore albums fall flat on their face, this album did three backflips sideways while landing on it's feet.  The album features the mega hit "Wild Child" and "Blind In Texas."  However, the hidden deep cuts like "Ballcrusher", "Widowmaker", "Cries In the Night" and the title track define this absolute masterpiece.  Definitely one of their classics and among some of the best albums of the era.  Of course, it did not hurt that MTV hijacked two of the tracks for mainstay video airplay. 

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2. 'W.A.S.P.' (1984)

Many would say that this one belongs at the top and who could fault them.  Of course, the band originally omitted the controversial track "Animal (Fuck Like A Beast) from the album release due to pressure from the label.  However there were plenty of star power tracks including "Hellion", "I Wanna Be Somebody", "Sleeping (In the Fire)" and "School Daze".  The album was raw and edgy and proved that W.A.S.P. could hang with the big boys.  Chock full of anthemic metal and smoldering with eccentric guitar riffs galore.  This was the birthplace of the band but it foreshadowed their rise in prophetic fashion.  The raw meat throwing festival of metal struck gold on this gamechanger.

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1. 'Crimson Idol' (1992)

This is the pinnacle for W.A.S.P. both musically and lyrically.  The mount Everest of their discography catalog.  A concept album at the core that takes the listener on a brutally honest journey.  It's a tour de force into the mind of the man behind the myth and the legend.  "Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Mourgue) may be W.A.S.P.'s heaviest track of all-time.  Its an all out menacing assault that destroys all sound barriers in its way.  Other tracks like "The Idol", "I am One" and "Hold on to My Heart" paint a picture of a thousand mirrors.  Definitely my personal favorite and the cream of the crop for W.A.S.P.  The defining moment of the bands legacy.  

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