 W.A.S.P.
The Neon God, Part 1: The Rise
Sanctuary Records Group 2004
www.waspnation.com
Read the Blackie Lawless interview
What's the 4-1-1?
Part one of a two part concept album. The Rise tells the story of an abused
orphaned boy who finds that he has the ability to read and manipulate people.
By utilizing these gifts, he is able to build a following whose devotion
and allegiance create a loyalty that is so intense, that he is poised to
become the dark Messiah for the 21st Century. The boy's search for acceptance
and identity conflicts only complicate things.
Genre
Heavy metal/hard rock/black metal
The Good
W.A.S.P. keeps the energy and the intensity at a solid 10 throughout this
musical journey. Once you get into the first real track "Wishing Well",
you'll lean that the central character, Jesse Slane, has just arrived at
the orphanage and learned of the horrors of what's to come. This crushing
guitar track is about where the tortured children go to drown their misery
(literally). "Sister Sadie" is to The Neon God what "Chainsaw
Charlie" was to The Crimson Idol. Sadie, and the music that accompanies
her, is quite sadistic. She puts Jesse though such inhumane abuse. You
can actually hear his pain reflected in Blackie's vocals.
Unable to bear the torture any longer, Jesse plunges into the well to set
himself free. Instead of dying, he sees visions of his destiny on "Underature".
The dark organ tones set the mood for the future that waits. Now committed
to "Asylum #9", Jesse learn there is no escape. The resident doctor
is sure to fix him right. One gets the feeling "Doctor Rockter" may
have transferred there. Guitarist Darrell Roberts lays down some great solos
as the song fades out. Jesse and his fellow inmates find sanctuary in "The
Red Room of the Rising Sun". It's the place where they get high to escape
the hell they live in. The track is led by a trippy riff that puts the listener
right there.
The dark ballad "What I'll Never Find" is about the suicide of
Jesse's closest friend (Note: there seems to be no significance to his death,
as it relates to the story). Once again Darrell runs ramped over his fretboard.
Jesse's transformation into cult figure begins with "XTC Riders",
as he is taken in by his 'Devil's keeper' who exposes him to the power of
influence. With a small army of disciples behind him, and his popularity
growing increasingly stronger, Jesse realizes that he may not be the 'evil
one' that his master molded him to be. As Part One reaches it's conclusion
with "Running Man" and "The Raging Storm", Jesse fights
within himself to decide whether he is good or evil. Jesse and the listener
are now left to ponder; is he the anti-Christ, the new Messiah, or a false
idol?
The Bad
Four tracks of filler; "Why am I Here" (:37), "Why Am I Nothing" (1:01), "Someone
to Love Me" (1:05), and "Me and the Devil" (:55). Storyline
is a bit dull.
The Verdict
Let me start off by saying that I'm a huge W.A.S.P. fan. I have everything
they've ever done (even LP singles). Needless to say, I was really looking
forward to this release. It's inevitable that this will be compared to
The Crimson Idol. Sadly, The Neon God is no Crimson Idol. However, it's
still packed with some of the most ferocious and terrifying heavy metal
around. Plain and simple, W.A.S.P. makes music to please their fans, and
with The Neon God they deliver. You'd think that W.A.S.P. would have mellowed
after all this time. No way! Blackie is still full of all the piss and
vinegar that he became notorious for. I think the storyline is tough to
relate to though. When you listen to The Crimson Idol you can picture yourself,
or even Blackie Lawless going through some of the same situations and emotions
set forth. The Neon God on the other hand, is mostly fictional. Unless
of course you've been in a cult, orphanage, or an asylum. The marketing
of a two part album is a great idea; because being a W.A.S.P. fanatic,
I can't wait to hear what's next!
Did you know?
When W.A.S.P played an early gig at the Troubadour, they organized for a
Red Cross Trailer to be put outside. They arranged is so anybody who give
a pint of blood got in for half price; anyone who didn't got in for free.
Rating:  out
of 5
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--George Dionne
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