W.A.S.P.
The Last Command

In the music scene, there are very few bands that have truly had a devastating impact on the audience right from their debut. W.A.S.P. represent a perfect example of how you can immediately captivate crowds without following any scheme or rule, surely one of their mottos has always been to go forward on their own path without hesitation, disregarding what others might think.

Only artists with extraordinary talent can afford such a luxury, and Blackie Lawless is one of those who has always been part of this privileged category. Having taken his first steps as a bassist with the seminal New York Dolls (even though they were in the final phase of their story), he could already be seen as destined for an exhilarating career! He and his band lacked nothing for a rapid ascent to the highest peaks of rock: an enticing look, a perpetually transgressive attitude, but above all, a series of songs that very quickly became immortal anthems for more than one generation of metalheads!

In April 1984, I was turning ten years old... Simultaneously, they unleashed a sonic hurricane on the world with the first single "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)," a hurricane that, within a few months, with the subsequent "I Wanna Be Somebody" and the self-titled debut album, took on epic proportions with well-deserved success; moralists and bigots thought they had found new enemies to defeat, poor deluded ones, in the end, the only winners were W.A.S.P.!

In November 1985, the second assault by Blackie and his fearsome adventuring companions arrived, an album that presents itself as threatening and combative right from the title: The Last Command. Once again, alongside the singer/bassist, we find the same soldiers from the first record, Chris Holmes, Randy Piper (both on guitars), and Steve Riley (drums). Thanks to their qualities both as musicians and co-authors, they were the best members the commander could find at the time to complete his conquest to occupy a prominent place in the metal scene.

The cover, unlike the debut, exclusively portrays Lawless, almost as if to reinforce his status as the absolute leader, with that determined and angry expression of his, it had become obligatory to follow him! It's time to start the record: the needle drops onto the grooves, the notes of "Wild Child" burst forth, the opening track that already in the first few seconds has all the hallmarks of a mega classic; the rhythm is brisk, Blackie's voice manages simultaneously to caress and scratch, the guitars are powerful and dark, the rhythm section not only strikes the instruments but also the soul of the listener, the refrain is a true form of art, it will possess us forever, it's only the first piece and W.A.S.P. have already gained unconditional esteem for the rest of their career. They don't even give time to recover, as the impetuous charge of "Ballcrusher," another frenetic rollercoaster ride set up by the band, arrives like an arrow. Only living in early '80s Los Angeles could a song like this be composed, a fitting soundtrack for motorcycle raids through the sunlit streets of Hollywood.

"Fistful of Diamonds" continues with the same aggression, the tension remains high, it's impossible not to highlight the particularly meticulous work of the vocal lines and the flamboyant solos; a crushing riff powerfully guides Jack Action, the peak characterized by the fantastic chorus (the outlaw is a true master at capturing the listener with his very particular voice) and by the strings of Holmes and Piper that continue to further inflame every track. A suggestive arpeggiated intro opens "Widowmaker," a massive mid-tempo where the influence of AC/DC is quite evident. The combo adds a touch of their personality, thus creating another excellent anthem.

If you haven't turned up the volume to the maximum yet, you'll be forced to with "Blind in Texas" (also chosen as the lead single). How can you describe this legendary track in a few words? Very simple: Rock N' Roll! The true soul of W.A.S.P. is encapsulated in every second of this piece: getting drunk and wanting to have fun are the cornerstones, all accompanied by an engaging rhythm and an unforgettable refrain, the frontman is more and more unleashed, no one can stop him! It becomes necessary to catch a breath after such a resounding explosion, "Cries in the Night" takes care of it, the mood turns dark, the captivating and melancholic guitar melodies strike straight to the heart, and the singer gives us an intense performance.

You return to tighter and rockier territories with the title track, the band demonstrates that they can create a grand piece focusing directly on the metallic essence; precise riffs and solos, a powerful and straightforward rhythm base, a chorus that will dry our throats from singing it out loud, and the talent of the four perverts are the components of this exceptional sonic mosaic! If there were still any doubts, a title like "Running Wild in the Streets" will make it clear once and for all what the group's philosophy is, I dare anyone to not raise their fists and shake their head violently while listening to it, this is one of the numerous powers of W.A.S.P.'s music, you can't remain immobile in front of such overwhelming energy.

The frenetic ride ends with a time bomb like "Sex Drive," Blackie, a great master of ceremonies that he is, accompanies us into his world of excesses with his usual grit, hearing him shout at the top of his lungs phrases like "I'm talking bout a sex drive ooh it makes you feel so alive" makes us understand even more his strong personality, in metal and rock there will always be a need for characters like him.

The Last Command, along with its predecessor, marked a legendary era for the group, both of which laid the foundations for a career that, despite numerous lineup changes (starting with Piper, whose adventure will conclude with this record) and some not-so-exciting episodes, has continued for almost thirty years. Total glory and devotion for Blackie Lawless, not only a sublime artist but also one of the truest and purest warriors metal has ever offered us. Long live the outlaw!