W.A.S.P. – Babylon
originally released November 17, 2009 on Demolition Records | added to WRUV January 26, 2010
There’s definitely a theme running through the L.A. metal legend’s 14th album, with the entire midsection “ablaze”, if you will. Blackie Lawless was inspired to write Babylon after re-reading the Book of Revelation, hence the apocalyptic imagery. The allegories are tenuous, but adequate when one considers the source.
Thankfully it’s not that preachy, which would’ve worked against the band. The album’s best moments are contained in the Maiden-inspired gallop of the semi-title track, “Babylon’s Burning”. If you want to get your ballad on, there’s “Into The Fire” and “Godless Run” to choose from (though neither work for me).
I’m glad their Deep Purple cover of “Burn” appears here, rather than on 2007’s Dominator, from which it was originally axed; the song is more appropriate from a lyrical standpoint. However, their hard rock take on the Berry-via-Presley “Promised Land” was an ill-fitting choice to close. It is far too upbeat for Babylon’s dark subject matter, and had they chosen to develop more original material, the album would have been better unified (and odd that it’s not, considering this is the steadiest lineup in the band’s history!).
Surprisingly, it’s mixed and mastered by the younger and heavier-minded Logan Mader (ex-Machine Head), who also worked on the latest output from DevilDriver, Cavalera Conspiracy, and Gojira. His knob-turning adds needed punch to the combination. And honestly, W.A.S.P. does deliver the first half with gusto, even if “Crazy” resurrects their classic “Wild Child”. Lawless still has power in his vocals and speed in his fingers, and anyone interested in veteran glam rockers should give Babylon a chance.
FCC OK
Try 1, 2, 3, 4
01. Crazy
02. Live To Die Another Day
03. Babylon’s Burning
04. Burn
05. Into The Fire
06. Thunder Red
07. Seas Of Fire
08. Godless Run
09. Promised Land
Rating: 
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