The Crimson Idol is the fifth studio album by heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released in June 1992 through Capitol Records, their last album for the label. It was the first album by W.A.S.P. since the band's temporary breakup in 1990; this was because vocalist and rhythm guitarist Blackie Lawless had intended to release The Crimson Idol as a solo album, until he decided to release it as a W.A.S.P. album. The album charted within the top 40 in five countries. The Crimson Idol is a rock opera, telling the story of the rise and fall of a fictional rock star named Jonathan Steel.
A remastered edition was reissued in 1998, containing a bonus disc of B-sides and live material from 1992. In 2018, Napalm Records released a re-recording of the album, along with a DVD of the film that was originally to accompany the album, under the title of ReIdolized (The Soundtrack to The Crimson Idol).
Felt like this LP was trying too hard, nothing wrong with the instrumentals or production, just not a memorable product at the end of the day. Falls into the vein of late-80s/early-90s bands that skewed more towards hair metal influences with the over-the-top guitar solos and extravagant arrangements. Feels a bit dated as a result, I didn't mind this listen but don't think it's necessary before you die.
The Crimson Idol is a heavy metal album by W.A.S.P. in name only as it is more or less a solo project of leadsinger and (bass)guitar player Blackie Lawles. This rock opera tells a rather bland story of the rise and fall of a rock artist. Most of the songs are too long and over the top theatrical. The bombastic production does not do the sometimes decent songwriting ideas any favors. Do not get tricked in listening to the remastered edition as you will get treated to a spoken word story of 16 minutes that is just a waste of time.
W.A.S.P. is one of those bands that was around in high school and college, and one of those bands I never listened to because I was told they scared me.
While I wasn’t sure this would be to my liking, after the first song I realized this is squarely in my metal warehouse. Not to mention that I’m a sucker for a rock opera.
I had a great time especially with songs like Doctors Rocktor which had perfect music for lyrics like “I’m a junkie with a big King Kong-sized monkey crawling up and down my back.”
This is so much fun! Really love this album!
Exemplary of what is a less favorite aspect of metal, this portentous self-importance. When the topic is woe for the poor famous star it's a just that little bit harder to swallow, sure as I am that the woes of stardom are real enough. Not restricted to metal, of course, exhibit A: The Wall. Anyway the music is well done, it's just a little too eye-rolly deep-n-dark for me.
it was fine. Could be a bit shorter but at least I didn't hate the vocals.
My personal rating: 3/5
My rating relative to the list: 3/5
Should this have been included on the original list? No.
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