W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.

W. A. S. P., acronym for “We Are Sexual Perverts”, a New York-based Glam Metal band founded by the twisted mind of Blackie Lawless, former member of the New York Dolls.

This is a simple definition of a group that, in reality, defies definitions, knows no rules, and has been fighting against censorship for years; a definition of a group that ranges from glam metal to death, from British Metal to Black, from the hardest heavy to the most melodic and melancholic rock.

It's the '80s when W. A. S. P., launched by some singles they fiercely fought against censorship for - see "Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)" - record their first, self-titled album. Since there are some limited editions of this LP (or CD!) released later that contain some bonus tracks, I will proceed to review these.
The album opens with the previously mentioned "Animal (F**K Like A Beast) (note: Manzoni would say that “the asterisks all come from the circumspection of my anonymous,” I say that the asterisks come directly from the tracklist on the back of the CD…), a classic of W. A. S. P. that will be included in every one of their best-of compilations and will be re-presented at every concert.

Animal (F**K Like A Beast), with "daring" and "obscene" lyrics, will always remain one of my favorite tracks in the metal field (not for the lyrics, which are a calling card for the “Sexual Perverts,” but for the guitar riffs, solos, and that hoarse and raspy voice of the legendary Blackie Lawless (real name Steven Duren)… in short, for the entire sonic complexity of the track.
Spanning between classics such as "I Wanna Be Somebody," "L. O. V. E. Machine,"—definitely noteworthy (so much so that these will also be performed in all the band's live shows)—follows a series of songs sidelined by the same W. A. S. P. (it's difficult, in fact, for them to be included in compilations, let alone live shows…) such as "B.A.D.," "School Daze" which, in my taste, are beautiful and noteworthy just like the others previously mentioned.

I would like to focus more on "Sleeping (In The Fire)," a melodic, nostalgic, and melancholic piece of which there are also some versions made for acoustic guitar… in hard'n'heavy history, in my opinion, this track should not be missed (note: after making a similar observation when I reviewed “Holy Diver Live” by Dio, I was almost shot by readers for not including an "in my opinion" or "in my view").
It's time for the "almost infamous" "On Your Knees" (usually included in fabulous and fascinating medleys during the group's concerts, as in “Double Live Assassins,” a record documenting the tour of the album "K.F.D.") and its notoriety should speak for itself… How can one not mention "Tormentor" and "The Torture Never Stops"? Both very hard, with ruthless, sadistic, and violent lyrics (starting from the titles…) and sometimes with a “hint” of vulgarity that has so characterized the now-established W. A. S. P. .

Among the bonus tracks "Show No Mercy" (a b-side that once made as much success as scandal) and the cover of “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones (endless are the covers of this song by many hard'n'heavy groups, including Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and Anvil). An album worth listening to but suitable only for metalheads.

The Line-up:
Blackie Lawless (real name Steven Duren): Lead vocals, guitar, bass
Randy Piper: guitar
Chris Holmes: guitar
Tony Richards: drums (on the bonus track "Show No Mercy" instead of Mr. Richards, there is Steve Riley, who joined when he left the group)

*Currently, only Blackie Lawless remains from the original line-up (that is, the one just listed).

Track List:
Animal (Fuck Like A Beast – bonus track 7” /12” A-Side- / I Wanna Be Somebody / L.O.V.E. Machines / The Flame / B.A.D. / School Daze / Hellion / Sleeping (In The Fire) / On Your Knees / Tormentor / The Torture Never Stops / Show No Mercy – bonus track 7” b-side- / Paint It Black – bonus track 7” b-side-