The Crimson Idol Review
| Band | |
|---|---|
| Album |  The Crimson Idol |
| Type | Album (Studio full-length) |
| Released | August 1, 1992 |
| Genres | Heavy Metal, Rock Opera |
| Labels | Capitol Records |
| Length | 57:54 |
| Ranked | #8 for 1992 , #244 all-time |
Album rating : 91.4 / 100
Votes : 44 (7 reviews)
Votes : 44 (7 reviews)
September 28, 2021
What is often hailed as one of if not the best W.A.S.P. albums is ironically more so a solo effort by bandleader Blackie that eventually got the W.A.S.P. label slapped on it so it could sell. Sometimes, an album can be a better package if it really is done entirely by one person. Especially in the case of a concept album.
Blackie had a story, he had a few main motifs and he rolled with it all the way through. The result is a strong album that feels heavily cohesive and has no moments of weakness. The music is very catchy, and adds just enough keys and other musical influences to up the “epic rocking” factor without truly dipping into cheese territory, and is actually quite serious musically. The album is surprisingly vulnerable for someone of Blackie’s reputation, as “desiring the love and acceptance of your parents” was not exactly a common theme in heavy music (though it was likely an undertone in a lot of the rebellious themes, no one would flat out admit it).
Aside from that, the story is another tale of a fictional rocker’s rise and fall, which had already been done to death by ’92. The album is consistently very strong, but if the main motifs aren’t working for you, it will get very samey and repetitive. Great listen to follow along the story, flows incredibly well, but the replay factor is quite low.
Blackie had a story, he had a few main motifs and he rolled with it all the way through. The result is a strong album that feels heavily cohesive and has no moments of weakness. The music is very catchy, and adds just enough keys and other musical influences to up the “epic rocking” factor without truly dipping into cheese territory, and is actually quite serious musically. The album is surprisingly vulnerable for someone of Blackie’s reputation, as “desiring the love and acceptance of your parents” was not exactly a common theme in heavy music (though it was likely an undertone in a lot of the rebellious themes, no one would flat out admit it).
Aside from that, the story is another tale of a fictional rocker’s rise and fall, which had already been done to death by ’92. The album is consistently very strong, but if the main motifs aren’t working for you, it will get very samey and repetitive. Great listen to follow along the story, flows incredibly well, but the replay factor is quite low.
1 like
Track listing (Songs)
| title | rating | votes | video | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Titanic Overture | 3:32 | 88.8 | 10 | Audio |
| 2. | The Invisible Boy | 5:12 | 90 | 11 | |
| 3. | Arena of Pleasure | 5:00 | 90 | 9 | |
| 4. | Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue) | 7:48 | 96.8 | 13 | Audio |
| 5. | The Gypsy Meets the Boy | 4:16 | 82.5 | 8 | |
| 6. | Doctor Rockter | 3:51 | 84.4 | 8 | |
| 7. | I Am One | 5:25 | 84.4 | 9 | |
| 8. | The Idol | 8:41 | 97 | 12 | Audio Music Video |
| 9. | Hold on to My Heart | 4:23 | 93.1 | 10 | Audio |
| 10. | The Great Misconceptions of Me | 9:44 | 93.3 | 11 | Audio |
Line-up (members)
- Blackie Lawless : Vocals, Bass & Keyboards
- Bob Kulick : Guitars
- Frankie Banali : Drums
- Stet Howland : Drums
10,437 reviews
| cover art | Artist | Album review | Reviewer | Rating | Date | Likes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | | Seasons Review (2003) | 70 | Oct 6, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Gods of Debauchery Review (2021) | 90 | Oct 6, 2021 | 4 | ||
 | | When Legends Rise Review (2018) | 65 | Oct 4, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | 90 | Oct 3, 2021 | 4 | |||
 | | Ayreon Universe - Best of Ayreon Live Review (2018) [Live] | 95 | Oct 2, 2021 | 3 | ||
 | | End Time Review (2019) | 95 | Oct 2, 2021 | 0 | ||
| | Gods of Debauchery Review (2021) | 90 | Oct 2, 2021 | 3 | ||
 | | 70 | Oct 1, 2021 | 2 | |||
 | | Dark Space III Review (2008) | 100 | Sep 30, 2021 | 3 | ||
 | | The Redemptive End Review (2021) | 40 | Sep 30, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | ▶ The Crimson Idol Review (1992) | 80 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Sleep's Holy Mountain Review (1992) | 40 | Sep 28, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | 45 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | |||
 | | 80 | Sep 28, 2021 | 2 | |||
 | | Souls at Zero Review (1992) | 95 | Sep 28, 2021 | 0 | ||
![ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ [Psalm 69]](/thumb/album1/2006/11/2/4822.jpg) | | ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ [Psalm 69] Review (1992) | 45 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Rotten Perish Review (1992) | 85 | Sep 28, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Loudness Review (1992) | 85 | Sep 28, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Blues for the Red Sun Review (1992) | 45 | Sep 28, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Grin and Bear It Review (1992) | 65 | Sep 28, 2021 | 0 |
▶ The Crimson Idol Review (1992)
SilentScream213 80/100Sep 28, 2021 Likes : 1
What is often hailed as one of if not the best W.A.S.P. albums is ironically more so a solo effort by bandleader Blackie that eventually got the W.A.S.P. label slapped on it so it could sell. Sometimes, an album can be a better package if it really is done entirely by one person. Especially in the case of a concept album.
Blackie had a story, he had a few main motifs and he ...
Live...In the Raw Review (1987) [Live]
구르는 돌 90/100Jul 30, 2010 Likes : 1
W.A.S.P.는 Glam Metal씬에서 비교적 이른 시기에 성공가도를 걸은 팀으로 꼽히고 있다. 이들은 초기부터 글램 메탈의 형태에 누구보다도 쇼킹한 무대 퍼포먼스로 명성을 얻어갔다. 그러나 이들의 인기전선에 기복이 없었던 것은 아니다. 밴드의 초창기에 발표한 셀프 타이틀 앨범과 The Last Comm... Read More
