... They finale is the 'Great misconseptions of me' which is an extended track that recaps music and lyrics throughout the album and Jonathans plea that he does not want to the 'Crimson Idol of a million' before hanging himself with his guitar strrings at his finale concert in front of his 'fans'.
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Titanic Overture Invisible Boy Arena of Pleasure Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New ... more
Morgue) Gypsy Meets the Boy Doctor Rockter I Am One Idol Hold on to My Heart Great Misconceptions of Me Story of Jonathan [Prologue to the Crimson Idol] Phantoms in t...
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Advantages: A great concept album with good rock n' roll solos Disadvantages: None
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The Crimson Idol is a great album if you like rock, it is a little different to previous W.A.S.P. records as it is more a solo album. Blackie just used the W.A.S.P. name as he is the focal point of what the band do. His other band members Frankie Banali, Stet Howland (Both drummers) and Bob Kulick (ex Kiss guitarist) along with a little help of Pete Townsend (The Who) were only in the studio for about 3 months, the rest was done by Blackie, ... more
This album took far too long in the making, but is well worth a listen if you are into more rock n' roll than the heavier stuff. This is a rock opera basically similar to The Who's 'Tommy' and Queensryche's 'Operation Mindcrime'. The story is of Jonathan Steele, a kid some what ignored by his parents has they divide most their attention to his older brother. His dream of becoming a rockstar is his only way of making his olds proud of him. The first track the 'Titanic Overture' is an instrumental intro which ends with the plea for his parents to love him, kicking straight into the 'Invisible Boy' that again is a classic rock n roll style track that tells of Jonathan's neglect of his parents. 'Arena of pleasure' is about his meeting with record company manager 'Chainsaw Charlie' who is has his name suggests, sign up and coming talent and 'rip' what you can out of them and spit 'em out. 'Chainsaw Charlie' is the next track that's about his promise that he will make Jonathan a star? The story goes on to Jonathan's dabbling with drugs and later becoming an addict, which his new friend and dealer 'Uncle Slam' is explained in the track 'Doctor Rockter'. Next is the track the 'Idol' which after a few years he tries to contact his mother but she hangs up when he rings her, which then is linked to the next track 'Hold on to my Heart' which then he can only find one way out, suicide. They finale is the 'Great misconseptions of me' which is an extended track that recaps music and lyrics throughout the album and Jonathans plea that he does not want to the 'Crimson Idol of a million' before hanging himself with his guitar strrings at his finale concert in front of his 'fans'. The album is sort of a biography of vocalist Blackie Lawless' experiences in the music industry be it first hand or what he has saw and it is a kind of warning to up and coming talent who want to enter the industry and become famous. The Crimson Idol is a great album if you like rock, it is a little different to previous W.A.S.P. records as it is more a solo album. Blackie just used the W.A.S.P. name as he is the focal point of what the band do. His other band members Frankie Banali, Stet Howland (Both drummers) and Bob Kulick (ex Kiss guitarist) along with a little help of Pete Townsend (The Who) were only in the studio for about 3 months, the rest was done by Blackie, and it took 3 years to make this!! It is well worth a listen if you don't already own it, check it out you won't be disappointed!!
Advantages: Its power to invoke emotion Disadvantages: Its power to affect your mood.
The Crimson Idol is a beautiful album, which fluctuates between powerful emotions of melancholy, rage and frustration. As a concept album it is dark and depressing. It makes you feel for the character of Jonathan as he deals with beatings from his father, fear, being ignored, running away, his own mocking reflection in the mirror, insanity, the words of a gypsy fortuneteller. The machinations of Chainsaw Charlie, His rise to fame and his fall from ... ...Roktor. The album sweeps in with the aptly named Titanic Overture and ends on a long melancholy reprise track. I love this album, if you like raw emotions in your music; this is what you are looking for because the angst filled tracks come fast and furious from the start ...
zen_violinist 08.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Crimson Idol - WASP
The first disc of this 1998 reissue is the original album plus one bonus track; the second disc is a collection of 12 live and studio recordings originally intended to be released alongside disc 1. W.A.S.P.: Blackie Lawless (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards); Bob Kulick (guitar); Stet Howland, Frankie Banali (drums). Recorded at Ft. Apache Recording Studio, Hollywood, California, between July 1990 and February 1992. Includes liner notes by Blackie Lawless.