W.A.S.P.
Double Live Assassins

There are bands in the world that prove to be more explosive live than in the studio. Bands whose true wild instinct comes out on stage, involving the entire audience, whose anger is shared with every single person, and where the stage ignites for a few hours. One of the best, surely, is W.A.S.P., authentic beasts on stage, who in 1998, just one year after the controversial but, in my opinion, excellent "Kill Fuck Die", which I reviewed, found themselves a year later and still on tour to promote the previously mentioned album, in a strange situation. Part of the audience and critics hailed the album, both for the skill and courage of the band, but especially of Lawless, in experimenting with new genres without becoming ridiculous as many heavy groups of the period did, and for the return to themes of perversion, sexuality, animal instincts, that characterized the group during the first half of the '80s and contributed to their fame. The other half, however, was unhappy with the album, despite appreciating the return to the aforementioned themes, but disagreeing with the experimentation the group had attempted. That said, somewhat to please everyone, let's say, W.A.S.P. in 1998 released "Double Live Assassins", the band's second official live album, which came out 11 years after the previous "Live...In The Raw".

With an excellent production, I would say, the album resonates with pure heavy metal from beginning to end, alternating with destructive tracks like the group's classic opener (at the time) "On Your Knees/I Don't Need No Doctor/ Hellion/Chainsaw Charlie" where there isn't a single moment of respite. The subsequent triptych "Wild Child/ Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)/ L.O.V.E. Machine" only sends shivers down your spine, so much is the energy generated by the band and Lawless himself, who, with his characteristic voice, is in a state of grace. "Killahead," the first track performed from "Kill Fuck Die," works great live as well, the classic "I Wanna Be Somebody" doesn't bore anyone, with the band going wild and midway through the piece we find a furious Blackie cursing everyone, parents, school, with the audience consenting. It continues at the same level with several tracks from the latest album that succeed perfectly, but with "Blind In Texas" you have pure apotheosis, untamed guitars, a violently wild Blackie, a magnificent drum, and an audience fully engaged. With the section dedicated to "The Crimson Idol," you can feel the emotional side of W.A.S.P., delivering a truly touching performance to the audience. "Mean Man," dedicated to the lunatic Chris Holmes, and "Rock N' Roll To Death," an excellent track, even if sung in a somewhat too "yelling" way by Lawless, but still manages to excellently close this live album.

W.A.S.P. with this album prove to be one of the best live bands around, devastating and explosive like few others, and with a charismatic singer that very few can boast. It's a pity that from here to the present day, W.A.S.P. hasn't released another live album. The strength of this group is all here, gentlemen... Come home tired from work? Put on this record. You'll feel 20 years younger!