Review Summary: An absolute masterpiece
So... today I am going to be doing my first album review. I've pretty much just done nothing but rants so far and I decided to try something different.
I am going to be reviewing an album that is criminally underrated and often overlooked in the metal community. And it's kind of a shame considering what a masterpiece this album truly is. I am talking (of course) about "The Crimson Idol" by W.A.S.P.
This happens to be one of my favorite metal albums of all time, and that's saying a lot considering how many great metal albums I have had the pleasure of listening to. But this one really stood out for me. No it's not that heavy compared to a lot of other albums out there, and no it doesn't future an endless array of sick riffs and face-melting guitar solos, but... It is INCREDIBLY well written and brilliantly composed. It also happens to be a concept album. For those of you who aren't familiar with that term (and I sincerely hope that most of you are, otherwise you are missing out on A LOT of good music); A Concept Album is essentially a full length story or general theme/message told in musical form. Each song usually focuses on a different part of the story or at least connects to the overall theme of the album. That being said, if you have never listened to this album, I highly recommend that you do so before reading any further.
WARNING; SPOILER ALERT!
The Crimson Idol was originally recorded as a Blackie Lawless solo album, but due to pressure from fans, Blackie decided to release it under the W.A.S.P. name. This album took nearly three years to complete, but it was totally worth all of the time that was put into it because the final product is nothing short of spellbinding. The remastered edition features the bonus tracks; Prologue: The story of Jonathon, Phantoms in the Mirror, Eulogy, and a cover of the Led Zeppelin classic "When the levee breaks" (Yes, I am fully aware that the Led Zeppelin version was also a cover and that they weren't the original writers of this song. Which basically makes this track a cover song of a cover song. Now please take your Zeppelin plagiarism complaints elsewhere). Anyway, If you want to have what I call the "Full Crimson Idol Experience" I highly suggest you listen to all of these tracks in this specific order;
1) Prologue: The story of Jonathon
2) The Titanic Overture
3) The Invisible Boy
4) Arena of Pleasure
5) Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue)
6) The Gypsy meets the boy
7) Doctor Rockter
8) I Am One
9) The Idol
10) Hold on to my heart
11) The Great Misconceptions of me
12) Phantoms in the mirror
13) Eulogy
14) When the levee breaks
This will make for a WAY LONGER listening experience, but trust me... It's worth it.
Now let's continue with the review shall we?
This album didn't sell particularly well upon it's initial release in 1992. Probably because it had a way darker tone than any of W.A.S.P.'s previous albums and therefore didn't appeal to the majority of the 80's glam metal fan-base. "The Crimson Idol" showcases Blackie's musical talents better than any other W.A.S.P. album to date. In fact, the entire album was written and composed by Blackie himself. Which shows us that he's not your average shock-rocker.
The story of this album was pure genius, and perfectly orchestrated. It revolves around a young man by the name of Jonathon Steel who grows up in a middle class household with two emotionally and physically abusive parents and an older brother who constantly tries to encourage him. Jonathon's older brother is treated like a prince and viewed as the perfect child. However, Jonathon is considered to be the black sheep of the family, and is constantly criticized and abused (both emotionally and physically) by his parents. His father tends to beat him relentlessly, and his mother is a religious zealot. One day, Jonathon's older brother is killed by a drunk driver. Jonathon, feeling he has lost the only true friend and companion he has ever had, roams the streets in an intoxicated daze, discovering drugs, alcohol, and girls. One day, while roaming the streets in a drunken rage, he sees a crimson red six-string guitar behind a display window. He smashes the window with the booze bottle and steals the guitar. Jonathon soon finds that this guitar is the only way he can truly express himself, and dreams to become a musician. He then runs away from home, and hitchhikes all the way to the big city where he meets the president of a major record company and is given a contract.
Jonathon quickly rises to fame and soon becomes addicted to drugs and alcohol. Over the course of time, he realizes that despite all of the fame and success, no one in his life truly loves him or cares about him. One night his manager comes in, breaks up a party and threatens to leave him if he "doesn't stop this ***ing debauchery". Jonathon knows that his manager doesn't want him to clean up because he cares about him as a person, but because he is talented and has the potential to make him more money. It is at this point that he begins to realize how alone he truly is in life. Jonathon decides to call his mother, because he hopes that all of his fame and success will finally gain the acceptance of his parents, and they will welcome him back home. However she ends up replying; "We have no son" and hanging up. Feeling rejected yet again, Jonathon now feels that there is no hope for him. He removes the strings from his guitar, makes them into a noose, and hangs himself.
It is certainly an incredibly sad ending for a story. And this makes Jonathon sort of a "tragic figure". Similar to that of Shakespeare's Macbeth and Julius Ceasar, or Homer's Odysseus. Except Jonathon isn't a warrior or a power hungry leader. However, the same general formula still applies. Jonathon became consumed by his own ambition and determination to acquire great amounts of fame and wealth. And it ultimately led to his downfall. As the gypsy woman said at one point in the story; "Be careful what you wish for. It might come true. For the face of death, wears the mask of the king of mercy". This can be interpreted in many ways, however, there is no denying the ominous implications of this statement.
Overall, this album is incredibly tragic and depressing. To the point where you can almost feel Jonathon's pain as he struggles through life and ultimately decides to end his own life.
As for the music itself; The overall flow of this album was flawless from beginning to end. It starts off with "The Titanic Overture" which has a dark and solemn tone to it, setting the mood for the story and the album in general. The use of riffs and solos on this album may not be very complex but it is however, INCREDIBLY effective, adding a great deal of emotional depth to the album. Also, the drum-work is extremely captivating and creates the perfect atmospheric vibe that really helps bring "The Crimson Idol" to life.
"Arena of pleasure" is the track that really kicks the dramatic momentum of this album into motion, marking the beginning of Jonathon Steel's journey towards fame and success, and ultimately to his inevitable doom.
The next song "Chainsaw Charlie" is one of my favorite tracks on this album. The intro is absolutely amazing, and the entire song really grabs you by the throat so-to-speak. This introduces us to the dark and bleak world of the music business that Jonathon has now become a slave to. The guitar solos on this track are actually pretty impressive, and the riffs blend perfectly with the drumming to deliver a stellar rhythmic force that compliments Blackie's angry vocals perfectly.
And then we have "The Gypsy meets the Boy" . This track is a little more mystic in nature and kind of introduces the whole "be careful what you wish for" theme to the album. It also strongly implies that Jonathon could be heading for disaster.
The sixth track; "Doctor Rocktor" is a fast paced rocker that focuses on Jonathon's newfound drug addiction, showing us that things are starting to go a little too far for him.
"I am One" is another hard rocker that shows us how high Jonathon has risen in his quest for fame and success". The Intro to this track features Blackie greeting a cheering crowd, and then the chanting begins............. and BAM! the opening riff kicks in and the listener is drawn further into Jonathon's current world of fame and glory.
"The Idol" is one the most beautifully done songs on this album. The emotion is highly palpable and you almost feel Jonathon's pain and loneliness. It had a much more personal vibe than some of the other songs and is incredibly intimate in terms of raw feeling, and overall it's a very powerful song.
"Hold on to my heart" is an amazing ballad. In fact, it's one of my favorite ballads of all time. Lyrically, it may be fairly simple, but it kind of shows us Jonathon's deep desire for love and acceptance.
And now for the great finale....DRUMROLL......................
"The Great Misconceptions Of Me" is the final track on this album. And by far, the absolute best. It begins with Jonathon welcoming the crowd (or is he addressing the listener as well? Hmm... something to ponder on I guess) to "the show" and announcing "the great finale". He then reveals his further developed state of pain and hopelessness. And near the end of the song Blackie gives us these extremely dark lyrics, where Jonathon finally hangs himself:
Living in the limelight's, little did I know..
I was dying in the shadows and the mirror was my soul
It was all I ever wanted
Everything I dreamed
But the dream became my nightmare...
No one could hear me scream..
With these six strings I'll make a noose
To take my life, it's time to choose
The headlines read of my demise..
Of Myyy SUICIDE!!!!!
And then the song breaks down into a softer tone and leaves the listener in kind of a "mourning state" for Jonathon. Pure genius.
Overall I give this album a 10/10. For being (at least in my opinion) a true work of art. Not just musically, but story-wise as well. Hell, I think Blackie Lawless should consider writing some short stories or maybe even a novel or two, because he certainly is good at crafting a good tale judging by this album. Which is apparently semi- auto-biographical. And I find that kind of interesting. Anyway, I hope you guy's enjoyed this review.
