W.A.S.P. - Babylon

\r\nSeems that some of the bands that were on top back in the 80’s are now going through a period of great inspiration, something that could easily be described as a state of “second youth”. After Megadeth’s awesome “Endgame” , is W.A.S.P.’s turn to simply blow our brains out! After the exceptional “Dominator” of 2007 Blackie Lawless and his gang strikes back with an album that would make even the most criticizing of their fans, reconsider. “Babylon” could be easily characterized as a W.A.S.P. classic by the very first time someone would listen to it, since it has all these elements that made W.A.S.P. a great name in the Heavy Metal universe. Based on the Apocalypse and the mystery surrounding the four Horsemen, Blackie creates a high standard album. The compositions are once again great, revealing this man’s music maturity and his unbelievable talent to write excellent tracks using only simple riffs (something really rare nowadays).
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\r\nI won’t waste my time (and yours) writing about production and the like as I think that since we’re talking about W.A.S.P. a very well recognized band with its personal sound, all else are simple details. Once you’ll listen to the familiar razor-sharp guitars, the distinctive drum rolls and above all Blackie’s passionate voice you will know exactly what this is all about. One more time W.A.S.P. offers 8 excellent compositions (plus a cover to the classic Deep Purple’s “Burn”) that will satisfy all their fans since there is a variety of rough diamonds here. From classy W.A.S.P. style jewels (“Babylon’s Burning”, “Thunder Red”, “Crazy” ) and powerful ballads ( “Into The Fire”, “Godless Run” ) to more rock ‘n’ roll moments ( “Promised Land” ). One more time W.A.S.P. proved to be exceptional. Just like that.
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\r\nDimitris Karantounias  \r\n
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\r\nBlackie Lawless – In His Own Words
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\r\nThis record was started in February of 2009. As the recordings progressed, I found myself once again asking the question - “Who am I?”, but more specifically “Who am I now, and where am I in my life?”
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\r\nYou all know that I’ve said repeatedly that any art: be it movies, painting or music should reflect its maker’s vision of themselves, and the world around them at that precise moment of their lives. If they are indeed truthful with that art, it then gives the viewer or listener a pretty good snapshot inside the head and heart of the one creating it.
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\r\nAs this record began the world was experiencing a global financial meltdown. I watched world leaders scramble for answers; none of them had any. It was like someone went into a kitchen in the middle of the night and turned on a light and the rats and the cockroaches all starting running for cover.
\r\nNow most of you know I was no fan of Bush junior, but a lot of those so-called world leaders are going to march people straight into hell with their eyes wide open if they are not really careful. The whole point of this indictment is: do your own homework and find your own answers. My experience with any truth is that it will stand to any scrutiny. If it is not the truth; it will not stand.
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\r\nAll this started me thinking about a few things. The first one was the first line in the lyrics of “The Headless Children”: “Father come save us from this madness we’re under”. I wrote that lyric twenty years ago and feel the same now as I did then. I have little faith in politicians. Although, some have good intentions, most are self-serving, power hungry egomaniacs that didn’t get enough love as a child, hence the garbage they are willing to put up with just to hold public office. Lack of love will make you do that.
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\r\nSo when I hear all these world leaders talking about a one-world system and a one-world currency, it sounds astonishingly similar to the biblical predictions or a one-world government and the rise of a global leader. So I went back and did a detailed study of the Book of Revelation and refreshed my memory with some pretty amazing reading. That reading inspires powerful images. Enough for me to take those images of the 6th chapter of Revelation and the four horsemen of the apocalypse and write Babylon’s Burning. Babylon’s Burning is based on that imagery in the same way “Headless” was. It’s an overview of what we allow ourselves to become and the consequences that befall us for the poor choices we make.
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\r\n“Headless” talks about four horsemen sitting high in the saddle and waiting. I don’t know if the time for waiting is over. The thunder of those hooves sometimes sounds very close.
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\r\n“A pale rider and his horses sing… Babylon’s Burning!!!”
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