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Band Name: W.A.S.P.
Album Name: The Headless Children
Rating: 4 / 5 User Rating: 2.4 / 5
Label: Capitol Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. The Heretic (The Lost Child)
2. The Real Me
3. The Headless Children
4. Thunderhead
5. Mean Man
6. The Neutron Bomber
7. Mephisto Waltz
8. Forever Free
9. Maneater
10. Rebel In The F.D.G.
11. Locomotive Breath (Single B-Side)
12. For Whom The Bell Tolls (Single B-Side)
13. Love Of Fools (Single B-Side)
14. War Cry (Single B-Side)
15. L.o.v.e. Machine (Live At Hammersmith '89) (Single B-Side) Listen Listen
16. Blind In Texas (Live At Hammersmith '89) (Single B-Side)
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After suitably shocking fans, parents and most notably, Al Gore's wife with their unabashed explicit nature on records like 'The Last Command' and the band's self-titled debut offering, Blackie and his boys return with their most well put together album, avoiding blatant sexual references and overall juvenile delinquency for more serious topics.
Pissed off at his record company's beckoning to become more commercial in hopes of cashing in on yet another glam rock cash cow, Lawless instead reached deep down and pulled out an album that at times reflects the utter gloominess of Black Sabbath, while during others proved that there was so much more to heavy metal than posturing and pouting as the wild, charismatic frontman actually manages to produce music with a great deal of depth, clarity and dynamic on the album's riveting title track. Fans that so eagerly embraced the band's previous material will no doubt thrive on cuts like 'Mean Man' or 'Maneater' which are very indicative of the group's sound circa 'The Last Command.' However, W.A.S.P. branch out here musically as well, wielding tremendous power on the massive juggernaut 'The Neutron Bomber', emphasized by a thunderous performance by drummer Frankie Banali. Speaking of thunder, the appropriately titled 'Thunderhead' is one of the group's most engaging compositions, its lush introduction giving way to a muscular beat and a gigantic chorus that expanded upon the band's trademark style with brilliant intensity.
The center point of 'The Headless Children' however, lies in the engaging ballad 'Forever Free', the closest the band ever came to a mainstream hit. This passionate, resounding track proves that there was much more to Lawless' creativity than many dare to recognize, with an appropriately charged lead by Chris Holmes that drives this track sky high.
A decade later, this essential platter would be re-released by Snapper Music, complete with extended liner notes, lyrics to each of the tracks, a plethora of photos and most importantly, the addition of six bonus cuts including four capable B-sides and renditions of W.A.S.P. classics 'L.O.V.E. Machine' and 'Blind In Texas' performed at the Hammersmith Odeon. An excellent recording overall from a band firmly entrenched in their prime.
Review by: EF
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