Stingers and Sermons: The Definitive Ranking of W.A.S.P.'s Studio Discography
Image credit: Joe Daly 2024
Four decades after launching onto L.A.’s insurgent metal scene, the raucous saga of W.A.S.P. has yet to receive its due from either critics or fans The band was formed by the indomitable Blackie Lawless—a grizzled rock & roll veteran who had relocated to the West Coast. Lawless ran through several iterations of the group before releasing W.A.S.P.’s ferocious debut with guitarists Chris Holmes and Randy Piper alongside drummer Tony Richards. Known for their jaw-dropping live shows, which routinely included semi-naked models on torture racks and hurling raw meat into the crowd, they crafted an image as impossible to ignore as their sound. While the Sunset Strip swelled with vapid, poufy-haired wannabes, churning out an increasingly homogenous brew of glam metal, W.A.S.P. cut through the froth with a dark, corrosive edge that bled defiance and bit with a venom all its own. Bursting onto the scene with their provocatively titled EP, Animal (F**k Like a Beast), W.A.S.P. stitched a narrative so raw and vivid that it landed on the PMRC’s infamous “Filthy Fifteen” list in the mid-80s, alongside tracks from Madonna, AC/DC, Cyndi Lauper and Judas Priest.. Any publicity is good publicity, as the saying goes, and W.A.S.P. outpaced much of the competition, but they. never reached the commercial heights of Motley Crue, Poison or even Warrant. Still, for those in the know. W.A.S.P. were the real deal.
W.A.S.P.’s discography is a wild ride through decades of rock and metal history. Whether at the zenith or the nadir, each record holds a mirror to the chaos and craft of its creators, reflecting a legacy that refuses to be ignored. Here is the definitive ranking of W.A.S.P.’s studio albums, from the dimly flickering wicks to the blazing infernos of one of the 80s great unsung heroes..
15. Golgotha (2015)
Golgotha arrived thirty-one years after W.A.S.P.’s debut, a testament to the band's endurance. Yet these tracks lumber and wheeze under the shadow of their own legacy, replicating familiar ideas that struggle to ignite the fire once rampant in their earlier work. Last Runaway shines as a fleeting spark, but the album oozes cliches and predictability, tasting a bit too stale for carnivores hungry for the raw meat of yesteryears.
14. Dominator (2007)
Dominator sets its sights on political landscapes, an arrow attempting to pierce through the hardened exterior of societal critique. Mercy bellows with the signature Lawless howl, yet the album often feels like a beast contained within a cage of its own making. The production gleams but the raw energy that defined W.A.S.P.'s heyday seems glossed over, leaving a yearning for the grittier, less polished anthems of the past.
13. Babylon (2009)
Entering the arena with a biblical apocalypse in mind, Babylon roars with the thunderous Crazy and the prophetic Babylon's Burning. These tracks carry the torch with swaggering bravado but the album as a whole can't shake off a certain fatigue, as if the end times were a foregone conclusion rather than a battle to be won. It’s a solid record that lacks the gnashing bite needed to elevate it beyond the shadows of giants.
12. Dying for the World (2002)
Crafted in the raw, emotional aftermath of 9/11, Dying for the World is Lawless’s howl in the dark, a rage against the dying of the light. Hallowed Ground delivers a poignant punch, yet the album struggles to maintain this fury throughout, often dipping into formulas that echo past triumphs without capturing their spirit. It’s a crusade that, while noble, lacks the chaotic magic of spontaneity.
11. K.F.D. (1997)
Kill Fuck Die dives into the industrial metal swamp with a feverish intensity. The abrasive K.F.D. and haunting Take the Addiction show W.A.S.P. tearing at the fabric of their own sound. While exponentially superior to most of the turgid alt-rock infecting mainstream airwaves at the time, this venture into darkness sometimes feels more like a forced march rather than a rebellious sprint. It’s gritty and grim, but occasionally trips over its own aggression.
10. Unholy Terror (2001)
Unholy Terror explores the darker corridors of Lawless's mind, blending the personal with the political. Tracks like Charisma and Who Slayed Baby Jane? slice through the air with sharp lyrical daggers. Yet, the album sometimes hovers in a liminal space, caught between the desire to evolve and the gravitational pull of its foundational sound. It’s a solid effort that breaks not the tiniest crack of new ground, yet which nonetheless will easily appease a late night party looking for an extra gear.
9. Helldorado (1999)
Their final release of the 90s finds W.A.S.P. unwavering in their commitment to the dark, lusty thrall of L.A. metal. Decades into their career, they've managed to intensify their sound without losing their distinctive edge of sex, drugs, and rock & roll. This album embodies their classic bad-boy charm, yet with a heavier, more mature twist. For aficionados of their enduring shtick, this album proves that W.A.S.P. still excels at what they do. A strong addition to their discography that took more than a few critics and fans by surprise.
8. The Neon God: Part 2 - The Demise (2004)
This continuation and conclusion to the “Neon God" saga delivers a more cohesive narrative arc, weaving themes of power and downfall with a lyrical prowess that showcases Lawless’s storytelling at its best. Never Say Die pulsates with a fierce resolve. However, the album, while ambitious, sometimes gets lost in its own narrative complexity, leaving some tracks to feel like mere echoes of a larger story. Still, its scale and gravitas set both installments apart from their predecessors.
7. The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise (2004)
The Rise sets the stage for an epic tale with grandiose ambitions. Songs like Asylum #9 and The Red Room of the Rising Sun blend melody with message, crafting a theatrical air that is as intoxicating as it is intense. This album's reach sometimes exceeds its grasp, but it's a valiant effort that shows W.A.S.P. isn't afraid to dream big, even if the execution isn’t always flawless.
6. Still Not Black Enough (1996)
This thinly-veiled Blackie Lawless solo-project marks a tentative venture into introspection. HERE W.A.S.P. divergES from their shock rock roots under the heavy influence of Lawless's conceptual steer and the notable presence of Bob Kulick and Frankie Banali. Despite glimmers of inspired musicianship in tracks like Goodbye America and Black Forever, the album's foray into tender balladry often misses the mark, leaving a faltering impression with Lawless's falsetto in I Can't. Ultimately, the album's lofty ambitions fall flat, rendering it a middling entry in the W.A.S.P. catalogue.
5. Inside the Electric Circus (1986)
Inside the Electric Circus continues to fly the flag of W.A.S.P.’s early days with both defiance and debauchery. Tracks like the cover I Don't Need No Doctor and 95-N.A.S.T.Y. are electrifying performances that capture the band's live energy. However, the album sometimes spins its wheels, caught in the spectacle rather than pushing the boundaries.
4. Crimson Idol (1992)
After a silent stretch between 1990 and 1992, Blackie Lawless returned with W.A.S.P.'s ambitious concept album, The Crimson Idol in 1993. Despite the disbanding of the original lineup, Lawless crafted a poignant narrative of a tormented rock star, handling most instrumental duties himself, with Bob Kulick stepping in on lead guitar. Not straying far from W.A.S.P.'s core sound, the album weaves intense tracks like The Invisible Boy and Chainsaw Charlie. Though it initially vanished in the grunge era, its intricate storytelling and solid musicianship revealed Lawless as anything but another vapid hair metal casualty.
3. The Last Command (1985)
The Last Command is a salvo of anthems with Blind in Texas leading the charge. It’s a wild, whiskey-soaked journey through rock 'n' roll excess, with tracks that stick like bourbon on your breath. The material mines dark themes with knife-edged ferocity. Blackie Lawless refines his lyrical explorations into personal and societal depths, providing a compelling counterpoint to the band's early narratives of excess and rebellion. Bolstered by potent melodies and brooding energy, this album secures its place as one of the finest offerings in their discography, showcasing a matured, yet undiluted spirit of W.A.S.P.
2. W.A.S.P. (1984)
In the high tide of 1984's glam rock resurgence, W.A.S.P. unleashed their self-titled debut, carving out an umistakeable niche with their provocative lyrics and grimy riffs. Blackie Lawless’ gravelly vocals and Chris Holmes' sharp fretwork coupled with their notorious stage antics—drinking blood from skulls and sporting saw blades—set them apart from the typical L.A. glam scene. Featuring iconic tracks like Animal (F**k Like A Beast), I Wanna Be Somebody and L.O.V.E. Machine, the album not only courted controversy but cemented its legacy, rightfully earning its place in the top two.
1. The Headless Children (1989)
With 1989's The Headless Children, W.A.S.P. stripped away the shock-rock façade to reveal a mature, musically ambitious outfit. This album marks a high point in the band's career, focusing on complex arrangements and substantive lyrics, with the inclusion of esteemed musicians like Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali and Uriah Heep keyboardist Ken Hensley. From the rousing cover of The Who’s The Real Me to the introspective depth of Forever Free, the album showcases a band reaching its creative zenith. The Headless Children stands as W.A.S.P.’s finest release, a masterful blend of potency and poise.