The Metal Files

This album can do no wrong.  Seriously.  This was another one that I first heard through a former friend from high school.  I was 16 (1986) and drove my ’66 Nova 4dr to his house to hang out.  I believe this was the first time that we hung out and I was in awe of his record collection and his bedroom walls filled with cool metal posters.

I’m flipping through his crate of records and see the WASP S/T album and asked him to play it.  I’d seena nd read about them in the ‘zines but hadn’t put ears to it yet.

WOW.

WOW!

Being blown away doesn’t really even mildly describe how hard this album hit me upon my first listen.  WASP was different, especially coming from the LA scene where lipstick and hairspray was ruling the scene.  I never really got into that look or sound that came along with it except for the early Crue stuff.

Sure WASP had hairspray and makeup, but it wasn’t the same.  There’s not a bad song on this album at all.  Sure, School Daze had some goofy lyrics, but it is still a great jam.

Blackie Lawless has a very haunting quality to his voice.  It’s vicious at times.  These guys were the perfect combination of power, dark tones and tasteful metal.

When I put this CD in my car, it generally stays in there for a few weeks.  I never grow tired of listening to it.  If I have to pick my favorite cuts on this they would have to be Hellion, Sleeping in the Fire, Tormentor and L.O.V.E. Machine.

11/10…easily.

And let’s not forget what W.A.S.P. stands for.  If you look on the inner ring of the actual album, it’s spelled out as “We are sexual perverts”.

That rules.

My current guitarist saw their first 2 shows in LA…@ the Troubador I believe.  There’s some footage of these shows on YouTube I believe.