The Metal Crypt on Facebook  The Metal Crypt's YouTube Channel
Review: W.A.S.P. - The Last Command
W.A.S.P.
www.waspnation.com
The Last Command

Label: Demolition Records
Year released: 1997
Originally released in: 1985
Duration: 41:20
Tracks: 10
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: April 16, 2009
Reviewed by: Hermer Arroyo
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.72/5 (94.42%) (43 Votes)
Review

After their energetic debut, Blackie Lawless and company released The Last Command, and as expected it is a continuation of that sound. Although the songs are a little less visceral than the debut, they still contain that charisma and juvenile energy that was very present of the first album. There is some cool stuff in here as two of the most recognizable W.A.S.P. songs are here: "Wild Child" and "Blind in Texas". The rest of the songs are good and catchy, especially "Running Wild in the Streets" and the title track. In reality all of the songs are very good because this album is more focused than the debut. Having said that, they all sound very similar to one another and some of them feel like leftovers from their predecessor (just listen to "Cries in the Night" which sounds a lot like "Sleeping in the Fire").

The performances are what we expect from a band of that era: solid but unspectacular. Blackie Lawless still displays that raspy voice that has become a trademark and his bass playing is steady. Same goes for guitarists Chris Holmes and Randy Piper; they were nothing special, just delivering very good riffs and leads. Steve Riley's drumming was also typical of bands from that era, simple and effective, just keeping everything together.

With a more focused songwriting approach, the band has created a worthy successor to the debut. At the time W.A.S.P. were pretty much an Alice Cooper-inspired act and the songs reflect that. However there is no sign of inventing anything new and no maturity at all. For that reason this album is not as good as the debut, but it's still a good record to have. Essential for fans of the band.

More about W.A.S.P....
Review: Babylon (reviewed by Hermer Arroyo)
Review: Golgotha (reviewed by Bruno Medeiros)
Review: Golgotha (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Live... In the Raw (reviewed by Hermer Arroyo)
Review: Still Not Black Enough (reviewed by Hermer Arroyo)
Review: The Crimson Idol (reviewed by Hermer Arroyo)
Review: The Headless Children (reviewed by Larry Griffin)
Review: The Sting (reviewed by Pierre Bégin)
Review: Unholy Terror (reviewed by Christian Renner)
Review: W.A.S.P. (reviewed by Hermer Arroyo)
Interview with Blackie Lawless on February 3, 2003 (Interviewed by Christian Marti)
Click below for more reviews
Latest 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Various Books/Zines 



The Metal Crypt - Crushing Posers Since 1999
Copyright  © 1999-2024, Michel Renaud / The Metal Crypt.  All Rights Reserved.