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HARDCORE SUPERSTAR – Split Your Lip
Hardcore Superstar – Split Your Lip [UK Import] (2010, Nuclear Blast Records)
1. “Sadistic Girls” – 4:06
2. “Guestlist” – 4:02
3. “Last Call for Alcohol” – 3:24
4. “Split Your Lip” – 3:19
5. “Moonshine” – 3:57
6. “Here Comes That Sick Bitch” – 3:21
7. “What Did I Do” – 3:51
8. “Bully” – 3:28
9. “Won’t Go to Heaven” – 3:04
10. “Honeymoon” – 3:28
11. “Run to Your Mama” – 4:58
Band:
Jocke Berg- Vocals
Vic Zino – Guitar
Martin Sandvik – Bass, Backing Vocals
ADDE Andreason – Drums
Producer: Tobias Lindell
As is the case every year, I end up picking up a few albums from the previous year that I either didn’t know about or just never got around to picking up. I had honest intentions for purchasing Split Your Lip in 2010 but I think import prices were kinda high so I was price-watching for used copies on Amazon. The only album I was familiar with by Hardcore Superstar previous to this album was 2007′s Dreamin’ In A Casket, which I liked but didn’t knock my socks off. I almost picked up 2009′s Beg For It when that was released but feedback seemed to be so mixed I decided against it. Well, given that album cover to Split Your Lip was right up my alley, I HAD to have this CD reviews be damned.
So is the music just as awesome as the cover is cunning? YES. I’ve said it many times in the past but had I heard this album last year, I think it would have definitely made my Top 10 list. If you’re not familiar with Hardcore Superstar they are heavy metal, they are sleaze metal, they are glam metal and they drag it all into modern times. They aren’t a retro act, it’s modern sleaze metal but it still retains a heavy quality that could have the band opening comfortably for either Motley Crue or Avenged Sevenfold. I’ve even seen some sites list them as thrash metal, which gave me pause and after I thought about it, I guess some parts of their music can be thrashy (such as the opening moments of “Honeymoon”) but the thrash influence is just a drop in the sleaze bucket and I would have never thought to have categorized them as that myself.
They’ve been at it for over 10 years now and it’s a shame they haven’t found success that parallels what they have achieved in their home country of Sweden (#1 singles and Grammy awards over there. Even a cult following seems like it would be appropriate given the band’s looks and sound. Maybe something for the Hot Topic crowd? The anthemic “Sadistic Girls” and the ballad “Run To Your Mama” (which is just epic to me) seem tailor-made for the tattooed, pierced and pale. Meanwhile, “Here Comes That Sick Bitch” seems like a great single for U.S. radio. If I was a deejay I’d play it! But what do I know?
Split Your Lip is an album full of sleaze the way it should be played — with big choruses and big hooks. I’m definitely amongst the converted now and plan on going back and checking out the older material.
Highlights: “Sadistic Girls”, “Last Call for Alcohol”, “Split Your Lip”, “Moonshine”, “Here Comes That Sick Bitch”, “Honeymoon”, “Run to Your Mama”
http://www.hardcoresuperstar.com
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHardcoreSuperstar
http://www.myspace.com/hardcoresuperstar
King Lizard – Viva La Decadence
King Lizard – Viva La Decadence (2010, Psycho Devito Records)
1. “Viva La Decadence” … 3:36
2. ”Rain On You” … 4:10
3. ”Rock N’ Roll Me” … 3:09
4. “Hell Yeah” … 3:43
5. “Video Lover” … 3:13
6. “Kan’t Kill Rock N’ Roll” … 3:25
7. ”Never Be Mine” … 6:06
8. “Not For Me” … 5:11
9. “Riot” … 5:20
10. “Taste The Hate” … 2:59
11. “Outrageous” … 3:11
12. “Late Nite Dynamite” … 3:54
Band:
Flash Roxx Sawyer – Lead Vocals, Piano
Niro Knox – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Alice Rain – Bass, Backing Vocals
Sky London – Drums, Backing Vocals
Producer: King Lizard, Andy Brook and Chris Tsangarides
The modern rival of glam and sleaze metal is still going strong and while Sweden usually is the top exporter of such bands these days, it’s good to see some British bands finally making a splash. London’s King Lizard has been around for a number of years but this is their full full-length album and the first I had heard of the band. When I was first contacted about this band I was immediately sold upon hearing “Viva La Decadence” and seeing the album art! And yes, there is an uncensored version of the album cover and it is spectacular. Easily the best album cover of 2010!
As for the music itself, the band delivers the kind of party rock I enjoy. If you’re not on board by the time the title track is done playing, then you’re not going to get the rest of the album either. “Rain On You” is a great middle-finger song about not letting anyone stop you. “Rock N’ Roll Me” and “Hell Yeah” are both dirty rockers. “Not For Me” is the album’s lone power ballad, it rocks as well just enough so that it doesn’t come off as sappy.
“Riot” I found to be a really good and interesting song on the album due to its unique piano intro. Reminds me of something that you might find on a SIXX A.M. or Avenged Sevenfold album. After the intro, a really cool bass line starts up and the song starts to rock and it’s one of the heavier songs on the album. “Outrageous” and “Late Nite Dynamite” close out the album in a good sleazy fashion.
With contemporary production values and an obvious love for all ’80s rock and metal, King Lizard’s Viva La Decadence is definitely an album worth seeking out.
Highlights: “Rain On You”, “Rock N’ Roll Me”, “Hell Yeah”, “Not For Me”, “Riot”, “Outrageous”, “Late Nite Dynamite”
http://www.kinglizard.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/kinglizardmusic
http://www.myspace.com/kinglizardmusic
Black Rain – License To Thrill
Black Rain – License To Thrill (2009, Listenable Records)
Original Release: 2008, Thundering Records
1. “Rock Your City” … 4:16
2. “Innocent Rosie” … 4:05
3. “N.A.S.T.Y.” … 4:16
4. “True Girls Are Sixteen” … 3:20
5. “License To Thrill” … 4:22
6. “No Forever” … 4:46
7. “Rock ‘N Roll Is Dead Long Live Rock ‘N Roll” … 5:00
8. “Rockstars Don’t Go To Jail” … 4:26
9. “Party War” … 5:15
10. “Kill ‘Em All” … 5:25
Bonus Track
11. “Baby It’s You” … 3:35
Band:
Swan – Vocals, Guitar
Max 2 – Guitar
Heinrich – Bass
Iann Lewis – Drums
Producer: Chris Laney
Is it Blackrain, Black Rain, or BlackRain? I’ve seen it listed all three ways (their Facebook and MySpace pages seem to conflict!). I discovered this band last year thanks to someone posting a YouTube link to their music video for “Innocent Rosie”. I was immediately hooked. It’s one of the greatest sleaze songs ever written. No hyperbole. The song is a gigantic hammer that bashes you in the face! So after over a year of being aware of this album why did I just now get it? It’s those darn import prices! They always rear their ugly heads! I’m sorry, I just can’t bring myself to spend $25-35 for one CD. If I’m spending that much, it better be a double disc super duper deluxe edition with a t-shirt and something autographed or a box set. There’s a market for ’80s inspired rock/metal like this all over the world– I just wish these bands, labels, distributors, whoever would make the music more financially accessible for the fans.
Anyway, Black Rain are a sleaze band from… wait for it… FRANCE! Yep. No Swedish or Finnish sleazers here. They come across as one of the more powerful sleaze metal acts around today and that’s definitely helped by the fantastic shrill ‘n’ sleazy vocals of Swan. Just listen to “Innocent Rosie” to hear an amazing vocal performance. The whole album is a great collection of party metal, featuring the sexed-up lyrics that I’ve come to love from this scene, but typically, the band also has to slow it down for a ballad or two. “No Forever” is a good power ballad as is the band’s cover of the Burt Bacharach-penned “Baby It’s You”, which was originally performed by the Shirelles, then the Beatles, Smith, the Carpenters and even Ace Frehley (another interesting take but I don’t think it ever got past the demo stage)! “Baby It’s You” is another tune where Swan gives a great vocal performance and is only present on the 2009 reissue.
I’ve said before that I think the current sleaze/glam scene is a bit crowded and I’ve grown weary of many bands that have the looks but don’t the hooks but Black Rain is one of the standouts in that community right now.
Highlights: “Rock Your City”, “Innocent Rosie”, “True Girls Are Sixteen”, “No Forever”, “Party War”, “Baby It’s You”
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BLACKRAIN/115370714624
http://www.myspace.com/blackfuckinrain
Bad City – Welcome to the Wasteland
Bad City – Welcome to the Wasteland (2010, Atlantic Records)
1. “Showdown in Central Park” … 4:40
2. “Take Me For A Ride” … 3:43
3. “Do You Believe In Rock N Roll” … 3:44
4. “Wildlife” … 4:17
5. “Fire In The Pouring Rain” … 3:56
6. “Call Paul Stanley” … 4:38
7. “Heatwave” … 3:34
8. “Look Out!” … 4:55
9. “Touch” … 3:36
10. “Straight To The Grave” … 4:01
Band:
Josh Caddy – Vocals
Max Perenchio – Guitar
Tom Schleiter – Guitar
Jake Serek – Bass
Kevin Kane – Drums
Producer: Johnny K
This band was completely under my radar until just a few weeks ago. You know the major labels are in trouble when they’re actually signing bands that sound like old school arena rock. I can’t believe Atlantic Records released this album in 2010! Let me state that this album is not a complete throwback to the ’80s though. The sleaze rock, pop-metal, power pop and stadium rock influence is felt throughout this album (check out those gang vocals and huge choruses!) but there is also a modern and alternative rock/pop sound to the group as well.
Put it this way, both Paul Stanley AND Billy Corrigan are championing this band and album as the best things to come along in rock music for quite some time, so that should tell you their sound doesn’t swing one way or another completely but what is complete about this album is the addictive hooks and infectious melodies. This album should appeal to a variety of rock fans. Songs like “Showdown in Central Park”, “Wildlife” (sleazy pop metal at its finest) and “Do You Believe in Rock and Roll” are for the ’80s rock/metal fan, “Call Paul Stanley” is a great rock ‘n’ roll anthem that would go down well in front a huge arena/stadium crowd, “Fire In The Pouring Rain”, “Touch” and “Heatwave” will appeal to fans of modern rock/pop.
Bad City is definitely a new band I intend to keep an eye. It’s a shame this album almost passed me by! I only discovered the band because someone posted a link to their “Wildlife” song on a message board. Typically for this kind of music these days, the album isn’t exactly burning up the charts but hopefully they’ll be around for years to come. Chock full o’ hooks and anthems, Welcome to the Wasteland is one of 2010′s best releases and sadly it will be ignored for the most part. Someone like KISS or Bon Jovi or Motley Crue need to have these guys open for them so they can get exposed to the right market and build a solid following.
Highlights: “Showdown in Central Park”, “Wildlife”, “Fire In The Pouring Rain”, “Call Paul Stanley”, “Heatwave”
http://www.myspace.com/badcitymusic
http://www.facebook.com/badcity
SWEET SYBIL – Sweet Sybil
Sweet Sybil (2010, Eonian Records)
1. “Remember When” … 4:00
2. “#69″ … 3:19
3. “Downtown Suicide” … 4:44
4. “Walkin’ Talkin’” … 5:54
5. “Someone In Your Eyes” … 4:29
6. “Jump Back” … 4:55
7. “Burning House” … 4:25
8. “Alone With You” … 4:08
9. “You & I” … 3:42
Band:
Sam Carava – Vocals
Mike Parker – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Brian Unger – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jeff Malas – Bass, Backing Vocals
Randy Matthiesen – Drums, Backing Vocals
Producer: Johnny K.
Sweet Sybil are another late ’80s/early ’90s hair band from the Chicago area. The problem with that is that Chicago wasn’t really a hot bed for the glam/hair/sleaze metal scene (if you wanted to succeed, you needed to move to L.A.) and by the late ’80s, the genre was growing tired. According to the album’s liner notes, they were a popular local act that was able to snag “mini-tours” opening for Alice In Chains, Extreme and King’s X.
Though the album’s best moment is the sleaze rockin’ “Downtown Suicide”, the band throws a few curve balls in an attempt to break out from the pack. I guess maybe because the band wasn’t in L.A., they felt no pressure to completely conform to the rules of the genre. While “#69″ is a pretty generic song title and makes you think the song is going to be a generic hair rocker, it is not. There’s bunch of horns being used and it’s basically a ska song. I’m not a ska fan but points to Sweet Sybil for trying something different and being a bit ahead of the curve on the ska trend.
The press release hypes this band as bit more “street” than much of then-current rock scene, trying to draw comparisons to Guns N’ Roses and L.A. Guns. There’s some truth to that, they aren’t glammy at all, really and I can hear the sleazy bar band similarities to L.A. Guns.
The first eight tracks were recorded from 1991-1992 but the last track, “You & I” was recorded in 2009. It’s a pretty good acoustic number that fits in pretty well with the rest of these songs and just goes to prove what I’ve always said — it’s great Eonian is (re)releasing old music from these bands but I would also like to see them help these bands put NEW music out as well.
This is a typically solid Eonian release that hardcore fans of the hair genre should be able to appreciate.
Highlights: “Remember When”, “Downtown Suicide”, “Walkin’ Talkin’”, “Burning House”
SISTER SIN – True Sound of the Underground
Sister Sin – True Sound of the Underground (2010, Victory Records)
1. “Sound of the Underground” … 3:33
2. “Outrage” … 3:26
3. “Better Than Them” … 3:32
4. “24/7″ … 3:59
5. “Heading For Hell” … 3:41
6. “I Stand Alone” … 4:09
7. “Built To Last” … 3:25
8. “The Devil I Know” … 3:26
9. “Times Aren’t A-Changing” … 2:55
10. “Nailbiter” … 3:32
11. “Beat Em Down” … 3:30
Band:
Liv – Vocals
Jimmy – Guitar
Benton – Bass
Dave – Drums
Producer: Henrik Edenhed
Despite this being their third release, Sister Sin is a band that was totally under the radar to me until about a few weeks ago. There was thread on a message board that I frequent titled ‘Sister Sin’ but for days I didn’t click on it. Just going by the name, I figured it was some melodic power metal band or maybe even something heavier. A few days later, I happened to see the CD in FYE for $9.99 and the sticker on the cellophane said “true street metal for fans of Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Scorpions & Accept!”
I still wasn’t sure if it was worth the money and checked out the thread as soon as I got home and the Myspace link that was inside and absolutely loved the song “Outrage”. I listened to most of this album on their Myspace page and some more positive feedback on this band convinced me to pick it up.
I’m really glad I did. Sister Sin is like the slutty metal sister of Halestorm in a way. Liv’s vocals are powerful, not quite on the level of Halestorm’s Lzzy but very close. Both of these bands feature a strong female rock vocalist and have hooky modern hard rock sounds but while Halestorm has more of a post-grunge influence (and a bit of “Kelly Clarkson rock” on a few tracks), Sister Sin revels in pure old school sleaze & heavy metal and why not? They’re Swedish! It’s practically a legal requirement for any hard rock act from Sweden to pay homage to the ’80s glam and sleaze acts.
Don’t get me wrong though, Sister Sin isn’t a retro band but their idols are obvious. While the Motley influence is there, they don’t necessarily sound like Priest, Scorpions and Accept but I definitely agree this band is for fans of type of music. However, there is an Accept connection after all– Udo Dirkschneider wrote the lyrics to “24/7″.
As much as I love supporting the veteran acts, it’s great and refreshing to hear new bands coming up with their own twists on hard rock & heavy metal. I wasn’t even sure if I was gonna enjoy Sister Sin just because I usually don’t care for female vocalists but True Sound of the Underground is yet another great release in 2010 and has been a featured album in my car and on my computer since I bought it. It’s hard, heavy, fast and it isn’t alternative. What more could you ask for?
Highlights: “Sound of the Underground”, “Outrage”, “Better Than Them”, “24/7″, “I Stand Alone”, “Nailbiter”
VINCE NEIL – Tattoos & Tequila
Vince Neil – Tattoos & Tequila (2010, Eleven Seven Music)
1. “Tattoos & Tequila” … 3:44
2. “He’s a Whore” … 2:49
3. “AC/DC” … 4:08
4. “Nobody’s Fault” … 4:44
5. “Another Bad Day” … 4:07
6. “No Feelings” … 2:50
7. “Long Cool Woman” … 3:27
8. “Another Piece of Meat” … 3:08
9. “Who’ll Stop the Rain” … 2:51
10. “Viva Las Vegas” … 2:54
11. “The Bitch Is Back” … 3:45
Band:
Vince Neil – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Jeff Blando – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Dana Strum – Bass
Zoltan Chaney – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Marti Frederiksen – Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Brad Gillis – Guitar
Jack Blades – Backing Vocals
Anthony Focx – Drums
Will Evankovich – Guitar
Christian Matthew Cullen – Keyboards
Mollie Solow – Backing Vocals
Producer: Jack Blades &Vince Neil, Marti Frederiksen (Tracks 1 and 5)
When I first heard about this album, I wasn’t all that excited about it but I figured I would probably pick it up just because I’m such a big Crue fan. Then I found out this album was mostly a collection of cover songs with only two original songs. I decided against picking it up but I read a few positive reviews for it and noticed Best Buy’s website had the album on sale for $7.99 with free shipping. I ended up ordering this along with Ozzy’s Scream album (it had the same deal). Both albums arrived in the mail on Monday, 6/21 — a full day before they hit the street! BestBuy.com is quickly becoming one of the top stopping places for me when it comes to new music from established acts.
Vince Neil sounds as good as ever (no jokes, please) and he’s backed by a number of notable musicians. Night Ranger’s Brad Gillis & Jack Blades lend a hand with Jack Blades going as far as producing all of the cover songs. Then there’s Beautiful Creatures’ Anthony Focx making a guest appearance. Slaughter’s Dana Strum and Jeff Blando help make up the Vince Neil band in 2010 alongside newcomer Zoltan Chaney on drums. Marti Frederiksen (who co-wrote the entire Saints of Los Angeles album from Motley Crue) plays a few instruments and also produced/wrote the two new tracks.
I think the song choices here were great. Vince said he wanted to cover bands he was a fan of and that had influenced him and that’s great. He’s lent his voice to so many low-budget tribute albums over the years, it’s nice to know he’s not just collecting a paycheck this time. It’s also cool this was released on Eleven Seven (where Nikki Sixx is a head honcho at the label) and Vince didn’t have to put this out on a no-name label.
These covers are inspired. They’ve all been given a slight makeover and a sleazy hard rock edge. Some of his cover choices are surprising, here’s the full list: Cheap Trick, Sweet, Aerosmith, Sex Pistols, The Hollies, Scorpions, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvis Presley and Elton John. I’m particularly impressed by the versions of The Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman” and CCR’s “Who’ll Stop The Rain”. Vince sound really good singing these old ’70s hard rockers. His take on Aerosmith’s “Nobody’s Fault” and Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas” are pretty rockin’ too. I was particularly interested in how “Viva Las Vegas” would sound and I’m glad it was given a hard rock makeover and he didn’t try to remain true to the song’s lounge act roots. Even the two new songs “Tattoos & Tequila” and “Another Bad Day” (which are obvious attempts at getting modern rock radio play) are growing on me.
Vince really sounds like he was having fun with these songs and why not? Like Def Leppard’s Yeah! covers album, this is a good time rock ‘n’ roll album for the summer and it was recorded for no other purpose than having fun. Fun seems to be the Vince Neil way. Though he has somewhat of a scroungy biker image when hanging out in Motley Crue, his solo style appears to be that of a hard rock Jimmy Buffett and he even has an ad in the CD booklet for his own line of tequila! Look out, Sammy Hagar!
Rock ‘n’ roll for the sake of rock ‘n’ roll. Recommended.
Highlights: “Tattoos & Tequila”, “He’s A Whore”, “Nobody’s Fault”, “Long Cool Woman”, “Who’ll Stop The Rain”, “Viva Las Vegas”
THE L.A. GUNS – American Hardcore
The L.A. Guns – American Hardcore (1996, CMC International Records)
1. “F.N.A.” … 0:21
2. “What I’ve Become” … 3:37
3. “Unnatural Act” … 4:10
4. “Give” … 3:16
5. “Don’t Pray” … 4:07
6. “Pissed” … 4:01
7. “Mine” … 3:35
8. “Kevorkian” … 4:47
9. “Hey World” … 5:01
10. “Next Generation” … 2:33
11. “Hugs And Needles” … 3:08
12. “I Am Alive” … 18:51
Band:
Chris Van Dahl – Lead Vocals
Tracii Guns – Guitar, Keyboard, Backing Vocals
Johnny Crypt – Bass, Backing Vocals
Steve Riley – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Producer: The L.A. Guns & Denis Degher
Yikes, what a difference from the days of Cocked & Loaded! American Hardcore is generally to be considered the worst album from L.A. Guns. Or should I say the worst album from The L.A. Guns? The band was really going for an image overhaul at this point in their career abandoning their traditional sleazy pop metal sound like rats fleeing sinking ship.
Just take a look at the album’s cover. With addition of “the” to their name, I guess it does make the group seem a bit more dangerous in conjunction with the album art. If I had never heard of this band before and picked this album up when it was released in 1996, I probably would have thought this was gangsta rap! Luckily, Tracii doesn’t chase that trend but along with new lead singer and ex-Cherry St. vocalist Chris Van Dahl (having replaced Phil Lewis) the Guns go for a much darker, heavier alternative vibe that sometimes comes across like Black Label Society, Marilyn Manson or Rob Zombie. Hilariously, All Music Guide refers to this album as a return to the band’s “hair metal heyday” then calls it a “standard pop-metal” release that apes KISS, Aerosmith, Motley Crue and Led Zeppelin. Um… WHAT !!
Honestly, the album isn’t too bad. It’s heavy metal, it’s alternative, it’s angry and while none of those terms typically bring to mind L.A. Guns, it’s not half bad if you’re in the right frame of mind. Chris Van Dahl actually has a decent voice for this type of music. He does the whole deep, guttural screaming thing well.
I have to wonder the point of keeping the L.A. Guns name though. Tracii was obviously taking a desperate stab at relevancy yet was holding onto a name associated with the ‘80s (the ‘80s were sooooo lame in the mid ‘90s) in order to pull in the few fans this band had at the time. He was trying to have his cake and eat it too. He should’ve just gone one step further and renamed the band. This project might’ve been better received.
Further adding the the album’s weirdness is the final track “I Am Alive”. The song ends at 6:57 and there’s nothing but silence until about the 17 minute mark where there’s some weird scene playing out with violins, prison guards talking and then some murderer gets the electric chair and we hear him screaming.
Highlights: “What I’ve Become”, “Unnatural Act”, “Don’t Pray”, “Mine”, “Hey World”
www.laguns.net (Phil Lewis’ version, AKA – “the real one”)
www.myspace.com/lagunsofficial
www.lagunsofficial.com (Tracii Guns’ version)
www.myspace.com/losangelesguns
W.A.S.P. – The Sting/Helldorado
W.A.S.P. – The Sting/Helldorado (2005, Snapper Music)
I LOVE when albums get compiled like this. Why spend $10-15 a piece when I can get them together for $10? I think the Snapper label mostly does reissues but they do them well, at least where W.A.S.P. is concerned. Cool digipaks full of photos and information. If you’re ever in need of a W.A.S.P. album, you should check to see if Snapper has reissued it because they’ve done so for many of them.
By the way, I probably care more about band logos and album covers than most people so I feel like I should mention the W.A.S.P. logo SUCKED for these two albums. It looks like something some kid would sketch out on his notebook during school. The Sting cover art is pretty awful as well.
Disc 1: The Sting: Live at the Key Club (2000, Snapper Music)
1. “Helldorado” … 3:20
2. “Inside the Electric Circus” … 1:45
3. “Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)” … 5:47
4. “Wild Child” … 6:51
5. “L.O.V.E. Machine” … 6:15
6. “Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)” … 5:16
7. “Sleeping (In the Fire)” … 6:24
8. “Damnation Angels” … 5:59
9. “Dirty Balls” … 5:05
10. “The Real Me” … 4:02
11. “I Wanna Be Somebody” … 8:23
12. “Blind In Texas” … 6:57
Band:
Blackie Lawless – Vocals, Guitar
Chris Holmes – Guitar
Mike Duda – Bass
Stet Howland – Drums
Recorded April 22, 2000. Didn’t really care about getting this album, I just wanted Helldorado and figured I might as well get two albums for $10 instead of one album for $10. The show was streamed live online. Not sure if it was free or not to do so but according to the liner notes for this collection (which are actually quite hilarious) 10,000 people streamed it and 100,000 people tried to stream it but were not able to do so. Somehow, I think both of those numbers are inflated and how would they even know who wasn’t able to listen to? You might as well say the other six billion people in the world tried to stream it but only that lucky 10,000 were able to do so.
I’ve seen this show being knocked as lifeless but I think negative feelings for Helldorado (three songs from that album are featured) are playing a part in some critics’ overall opinion of the album. Then again, this is the band’s THIRD live album, so I assume perhaps for most that one live W.A.S.P. album is enough. I’ve never been the biggest fan of live albums, but I personally think the album is fine for what it is even if Blackie himself isn’t happy with the production. As to who actually produced it, I’m not sure, I couldn’t find any info.
This album was originally packaged with the DVD of the show.
Highlights: “Inside the Electric Circus”, “Wild Child”, “L.O.V.E. Machine”, “The Real Me”, “I Wanna Be Somebody”
Disc 2: Helldorado (1999, CMC International Records)
1. “Drive By” … 0:55
2. “Helldorado” … 5:05
3. “Don’t Cry (Just Suck)” … 4:16
4. “Damnation Angels” … 6:27
5. “Dirty Balls” … 5:19
6. “High on the Flames” … 4:11
7. “Cocaine Cowboys” … 3:57
8. “Can’t Die Tonight” … 4:04
9. “Saturday Night Cockfight” … 3:20
10. “Hot Rods to Hell (Helldorado Reprise)” … 4:14
Band:
Blackie Lawless – Vocals, Guitar
Chris Holmes – Guitar
Mike Duda – Bass
Stet Howland – Drums
Producer: Blackie Lawless
I remember when this album first came out. 1999 was about the time I was heavily starting to get into the whole ’80s metal scene and I remember Metal Edge magazine and the Metal Sludge website both reviewing this album. As I recall, the reviews weren’t glowing which is probably why it took me over a decade to finally pick it up. The reason I did so is because I’m a W.A.S.P. fan and I wanted to form an opinion for myself. I also have to admit the fact that the lyrics on this album have been described as “vile” really piqued my interest.
Lyrically and sonically, the album is a return to form for Blackie and his crew. It’s 1986 all over again but this time the lyrics are even more outrageous. I guess Blackie was hoping for lightning to strike twice and become singled out as a controversial artist again but by 1999 no one was paying attention to any new contributions from the ’80s veterans.
Blackie has claimed in recent years that he is a reformed Christian so I would really love to hear his thoughts on this album these days. There’s some really twisted humor here backed up by tons of anger and misogyny. Often times all in the same song! Granted, this is generally how you could describe W.A.S.P. except this time it’s turned up to ELEVEN. His head seems like it was probably in a really bad place at the time to feel the need to revert back to such a snarling primitive beast after hitting upon mature themes and concepts (that garnered much praise, mind you) from the last few albums.
This is an obscene and crass album, more so than any other W.A.S.P. release. I’m not really offended or put off by it. I highly doubt I’ll ever get a hankerin’ to play some “Dirty Balls” or “Don’t Cry (Just Suck)” but for better or worse, these are the types of lyrics you put up and become unfazed by when dealing with ’80s metal.
The music itself is what really matters and I have to agree with so many reviews I’ve read that were not impressed with this release. There’s just something missing here. It sounds like W.A.S.P. but there are very few standout tracks. It’s almost like an album made up entirely of filler and it’s hard to differentiate one song from another.
Highlights: “Helldorado”, “Damnation Angels”, “Dirty Balls”, “Can’t Die Tonight”
VAINS OF JENNA – The Art of Telling Lies
Vains of Jenna – The Art of Telling Lies (2009, RLS Records/Raw Noise Records)
1. “Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead” … 3:38
2. “Mind Pollution” … 3:23
3. “Refugee” … 3:33
4. “I Belong To Yesterday” … 4:19
5. “Paper Heart” … 6:17
6. “Get It On” … 3:06
7. “Enemy In Me” … 4:02
8. “Better Off Alone” … 5:30
9. “I Don’t Care” … 4:10
10. “The Art of Telling Lies” … 5:58
Band:
Lizzy DeVine – Vocals, Guitar
Nicki Kin – Lead Guitar
JP White – Bass
Jacki Stone – Drums
Producer: Brent Woods
One of Sweden’s best sleaze acts is back and with this album, I think they may have proven they are the kings of sleaze! This album was top priority for me once I discovered the band was readying a new release and as luck would have it, the album found its way to me all due to none other than Stevie Rachelle (Metal Sludge CEO/front man for Tuff), who is now managing the band (thanks again Stevie!) .
Lit Up/Let Down was one of the 2006′s best surprises and The Art of Telling Lies is shaping up to be one of 2009′s best releases. I’m liking it more and more with each spin. The band is still firmly in the sleaze category, but the hooks and melodies are even better this time around.
The album isn’t as raw or as brash as their debut, but the songwriting has really improved with songs like “Paper Heart”, “Enemy In Me” and “The Art of Telling Lies”. The songs are allowed to breathe and it is a definite improvement over their very good debut. Also, there’s a great cover of Tom Petty’s “Refugee”. It caught me off guard at first to hear VoJ covering Tom Petty, but it works really well.
The band opened for Poison and Ratt in 2007 and with a couple of more solid touring gigs like that, they could really start to break. They definitely deserve it, so if you’re not familiar with the band, GET familiar with the band and support one of rock ‘n’ roll’s best kept secrets!
Highlights: “Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead”, “Mind Pollution”, “Refugee”, “Paper Heart”, “Enemy In Me”, “I Don’t Care”, “The Art of Telling Lies”
