The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

" Are you in pain Or just merely misguided ?????", 2008-12-14
Blackie Lawless is an incredible artist! This album is amazing! It appears that there are a few people that wish to appear smart enough to judge this fine work. W.A.S.P. / Blackie did without a doubt create a legendary album in the "The Crimson Idol" after already smashing every pre conceived conclusion about the band with " The Headless Children" , The Crimson Idol further established a brilliant identity that bigger selling bands would struggle to compete with musically and otherwise. I believe the same to be true of W.A.S.P. Still !!! The Neon God Part 1 - The Rise is a very emotional and musically complex work, with a story about a boy that I think everyone can relate to if your life was ever at any point difficult to face. I don't understand comparing everything a band accomplishes to one grand past achievement, it is a small minded way of thinking! The album begins with an instrumental that sets a dark tone for " Why am I here" Wishing Well and Sister Sadie ( And The Black habits). Then another build up with " the Rise " a short break " Why am I nothing" then an explosion into the epic Asylum #9 some very haunting vocal and guitar work on this track then it literally melts into the next track with backward cymbals "Red Room of the Rising Son" to the ballad " What I'll Never Find" a break for "Someone to Love me" and creeping in comes the noisy and once again haunting X.T.C. Riders at this point in the album the music is very aggressive yet atmospheric Blackie's vocals are very emotionally intense and the lyrics themselves deserve to be followed and also add a great deal to this emotional escapade that ends perfectly with the monumental closing track " The Raging Storm " br /I honestly believe this to be a standout release for W.A.S.P. it offers certain elements that the other albums just don't have, as a lifelong fan I believe it is worth buying !!!!!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Can't I give this CD 6 stars? Please !?, 2007-09-12
Pure Genius. The Story, The Music, The Lyrics. I would recommend purchasing both parts 1 and 2. It helps complete the circle. I wasn't thrilled with part one when it was released, but when part 2 came out, everything fell into place for me. Blackie Lawless proves that Heavy Metal can be thought provoking and meaningful, not just playing power chords as fast as we can. Anyone who enjoys concept albums MUST own these two CD's. I honestly don't believe there's been an adjective invented yet that truly describes how much I love this recording.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Who is the Neon God?, 2007-07-10
This album, (actually double album) was going to end up being compared to "The Crimson Idol" whether the band wanted it to or not. That being said, being the huge W.A.S.P. fan that I am, I instantly got this album. One thing I did not do, is compare to "The Crimson Idol." Why? Because it's not. Times have changed, and so does the band. While there are bits and pices that may sound similar, I believe it is unfair to compare this album to what is considered their masterpiece. This album is what it is, not "The Crimson Idol," but "The Neon God." br / br /I'll spare the concept of the album because if you're that interested in what the concept is, than you should already be listening to the album. Instead, I'll give the track by track review with small detail as to what each song relates to. br / br /1. Overture - Pretty cool instrumental to begin the album, which really wraps everything up between the two albums without the listener being aware that its doing it. Very cool guitar work here as well. 4/5 br / br /2. Why Am I Here - A small, kind of quick way for the album to really kick into the full story. Some would say it's a filler, and it is, but still needed for the story to begin. 3.5/5 br / br /3. Wishing Well - This is the track that really and offcially gets the story going. Awesome chorus and emotion, really makes you feel as if you're their. Awesome guitar work, seemless intergration of the band. 4/5 br / br /4. Sister Sadie (And The Black Habits) - A fairly long song that may get the listener lost, but it is a very well-done song which is essential to the story. Sister Sadie runs an orphanage, and she is actually abusing the children. Very dark, powerful song that again makes you feel bad for the main character Jesse. 4.5/5 br / br /5. The Rise - Cool song here that begins the triumph that Jesse will experience shortly. Again, seemless work by the band really brings everything together. 4.5/5 br / br /6. Why Am I Nothing? - Another filler track here, but again it is essential to the story. Jesse asks why he feels he is nothing and not deserving of any love. Being what he has been through, I would ask the same. 4/5 br / br /7. Asylum #9 - my personal favorite from the album, and one track that many others say stands out above the rest. Focuses less on the story and more on the music. Heavy riffs, strong chorus, and just raw energy! 5/5 br / br /8. The Red Room Of The Rising Sun - Another favorite track of mine. Has the right length and again seems to focus a bit more on the music rather than the story. Awesome guitar and drum work on this track, adds to a very trippy feel! 5/5 br / br /9. What I'll Never Find - Kind of toned down from the previous two tracks, but still very cool. The guitar is what really stands out on this track, which is really all you need. 4/5 br / br /10. Someone To Love Me (All I Need) - This is one filler track that I can say is not needed on the album. Adds nothing new to the story and really, other than a catchy quick chorus, there is nothing else to it. 3/5 br / br /11. X.T.C. Riders - Thankfully this song picks up just as the previous track gets too much. Another one of my favorites, just pure fun, heavy rocking track that can stand alone without the rest of the album for support. 5/5 br / br /12. Me The Devil - Yet another filler track. Although, I find that I like this one a bit better than the others. May not seem as though it fits, but it will have you humming along with it. 4/5 br / br /13. The Running Man - When I first heard this track, I didn't know if I liked it because I couldn't hear how it fit with the rest of the album. Give it time because it will stick and it's a pretty heavy rocker once it does! 4/5 br / br /14. The Raging Storm - This is perhaps the most powerful track on the album. Wraps everything up for part one and makes you want part two as soon as possible so you can finish the story. Awesome heavy track that just rocks! 4.5/5 br / br /There it is, part 1. If you're a fan of W.A.S.P. then I recommend this album along with part 2. This, along with "The Crimson Idol" is what inspired me to write my own concept album!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

New W.A.S.P., 2007-06-28
I became a W.A.S.P. fan in the 90s with Double Live Assasins. See my review of The Sting live CD for progress they've made through their long career. I pawned my whole W.A.S.P. collection, which had most of their reissues. I was afraid to listen to W.A.S.P., Blackie Lawless had a ton of money and Chris Holmes was as mainstream as Richie Sambora. However, at a reduced pride I found this album and The Sting new at a store, I thought why not. Well this album is just not intense enough for me to give it more than 3 stars. It seems like a big "F.U." to King Diamond, as it's a concept album with multiple characters, a la The Crimson Idol, only King Diamond does it better and this is the weakest album I have heard from these aging shock rockers. It's not even as good as Still Not Black Enough, K.F.D. or Helldorado. I'm not dissing this album, it just isn't intense musically, lyrically or vocally for me to like it very much. Rip it on the hard drive of your PC or Xbox 360 so it doesn't skip. This is a pretty mediocre album by W.A.S.P. who are right now bigger than ever worldwide after revamping their live stage show for the Helldorado tour to return to their roots as gruesome shock rockers. W.A.S.P. are a pretty unpredictable band.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Crimson Idol Pt. 2?, 2006-07-05
I'll try to be short and not go into the breakdown of the whole album, others have already done that. Simply put, this is a solid album - but, it is not as good as The Crimson Idol. Sister Sadie, Asylum #9, XTC Riders and The Raging Storm are some highlights. One thing of notice is that Blackie's vocals sound somewhat strained, he just doesn't sound as powerfull as on previous albums. This is a very minor issue though. br /This is a solid - though not great album, but Blackie making music is always a good thing. Definitely worth a purchase.