W.A.S.P. – Golgotha

Napalm Records (2015)

Reviewer: Aaron Chatfield

There are few people in the world with the focus, passion and drive that Blackie Lawless possesses. Starting his career as a mid-tour replacement guitarist for Johnny Thunders in New York Dolls, Blackie has carved his path threw bands such as Killer Kane, Sister and London, before forming WASP in 1982. Whether he is writing lyrics that make Washington Wives cry themselves to sleep at night or epic concept records carving the music business to pieces, Lawless has been absolutely clear about what he is trying to achieve and it is quite frankly, his way of the highway (to hell!). WASP albums fall into two camps, either the rock n roll rebel beast that is heard on their debut and Helldorado or the social-political ranting of Headless Children. Blackie’s latest release, Golgotha, falls pretty much in the later camp.

The 9 track album kicks off with ‘Scream’. For WASP fans, it is instantly recognisable, possibly a little too much, as it’s reminds me too much of Crazy from the previous release. It’s a good track, just not pushing the WASP formula too much.

However, the following track, ‘Last Runaway’, does. As a track, it uses some melodies that are new ground for WASP, an upbeat track with a sing a long chorus. Quite a commercial slant on the WASP formula, including an “ooohhhh naa naa naaaa” outro.

The third track is a little more typical of WASP. ‘Shotgun’, has a slight Wild Child feel to it, possibly with a little Inside the Electric Circus. Blackie is in fine form, with that venomous vocal spit that he is infamous for.

Back in 1992, after Blackie parted with long time guitar henchman, Chris Holmes, Blackie started work on what was supposed to be his first solo album. When the opus arrived, it was released as a WASP album, with a supporting cast that included Frankie Banali and Bob Kulick. The Crimson Idol was Blackies tour de force and still the benchmark for today’s WASP. ‘Miss You’ is apparently the first track that was written for The Crimson Idol and here it is, some 23 years later, in all is glory. The style certainly reflects the Crimson Idol album, a brooding power ballad, similar to the track The Idol, with touches of Forever Free. Blackie revels in this type of melancholic track and this is no exception. Exceptionally emotive vocals and some stunning lead guitars from Doug Blair.

‘Fallen Under’ follows, starting with eerie clean guitar, before the chugging guitar comes in to drive us towards the chorus. A good album track, with the pure WASP DNA that we have seen over the last couple of albums.

‘Slaves of the New World’ rides on an intro not unlike Widowmaker, before a Crimson Idol style riff takes us into the first verse and on to a solid chorus. At over 7 minutes, there is plenty of opportunity for Blackie to craft a number of motifs that give Blair plenty of space to impress.

Slaves is quickly followed by ‘Eyes of the Maker’, where Blackie really spits poison in the verse. There are few vocalists that manage to capture emotion in the way Blackie does and you can really hear him channel his anger in this one.

The penultimate track, ‘Hero of the World’, is another typical WASP track. Enjoyable if you are a WASP fan, but probably not going to be the one to win any new fans for the band.

And so we arrive at the albums title track, ‘Golgotha’. Another 7 minute plus track, it’s the type of epic track that WASP have been delivering since 1992 (with the exception of the pseudo-industrial KFD and the throwback album, Helldorado). Blackie considers himself a born again Christian and the chorus to Golgotha is a desperate cry to Jesus for help. It’s a long way from proclaiming that his sexual prowess is that of bestial performance, but the conviction is the same. Doug Blair again gets a lot of opportunity to show off his chops and his solos will have you tuning your wind powered six string and pulling shapes in view of the neighbours.

Overall, Golgotha is what I expected, a clear follow on from Babylon. No real surprises, but nothing to let the avid WASP fan down. I confess, I am a big WASP fan, but based on the crowd reaction at the recent WASP gig in Manchester, UK, many people still are. Those fans are going to get that warm and fuzzy feeling with Golgotha, like slipping on your favourite saw blade codpiece!

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