The fourth track is the first of two cover tracks. Here, Blackie and his team have put their stamp on Deep Purple's "Burn." They almost make it sound like a W.A.S.P. original! They turn the amps to eleven and charge their way through it like only they know how. Frankly, it took me a moment to recognize it.
Much like Dominator, my favorite song is the big ballad-type track. On the earlier album it was "Heaven Hung in Black," here it is "Into the Fire." Blackie has a way of bringing high drama to these types of songs. His voice sounds so pained with a bed of anger. It is a feat that I am unsure how he is able to do it. He draws you in with the dramatic music and that unique voice. It is always about the voice.
The album then moves back the high energy with "Thunder Red" and the galloping rock and roll of "Seas of Fire" before taking a soft left and a hard right to finish us off.
First is the second ballad of the album, "Godless Run." This is another song that has Blackie letting loose the high drama that his voice has a knack for as he sings a song that strikes me as very personal. It almost sounds like he is reflecting on the journey of life that has led him here.
For a complete change of pace, Babylon closes with a cover of Chuck Berry's "Promised Land." I am at a loss for words. It sounds cool as hell but seems to make little sense in context of the album or the band as a whole.
Before signing off, I must recognize the effort of the rest of the band. Mike Duda keeps things moving with his straightforward bass work. Mike Dupke is the man behind the kit and while he is not spectacular, turns in good work that will keep your head rocking to the beat. Now, the man of the hour is lead guitarist Doug Blair. The man really cuts loose with some rip roaring solos throughout. Great stuff.
Bottomline. W.A.S.P. may not be the first name on your lips when your looking for some rock and roll, but they are still here and delivering good music. This album shows their skills are not diminishing. Blackie leads the rock and roll charge and I suspect he will be lurking around the edges for many years to come.
Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Lisa
W.A.S.P BABYLON REACHED NUMBER 12 IN THE UK,, THEY STILL SEEM TO NOT GET THE MUCH DESERVED RESPECT ,, HERE IN THE STATES,,IM A NEW FAN,, AND I AGREE TO SOME POINT ABOUT IT NOT MATCHING IN SOME WAYS WITH DOMINATOR,, I FEEL,, THIS CD IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR COMPARE TO THE COOKIE CUT OUT CRAP" THAT IS OUT THERE NOW. REMEMBER BLACKIE LAWLESS HAS BEEN AROUND TWENTY FIVE PLUS YEARS,, HE HAS MORE THEN PAID HIS DUES,,I LOOK FORWARD TO CATCHING MY FIRST SHOW IN 2010.
2 - BILL
W.A.S.P BABYLON is a GREAT rock & roll cd it has alot of cool rip rowing song like BURING & LIE TO DIE . I am a big WASP fan & long live BLACKIE one of the BEST singer of all time.