
W.A.S.P. has always been praised for their significant releases, including “The Crimson Idol,” the first conceptual album from the Los Angeles-based band led by Blackie Lawless (Guitar/Vocals). Blackie Lawless is particularly appreciated for his distinctive raspy voice accompanied by a characteristic vibrato. Despite belonging to the “Glam Rock” wave, W.A.S.P. always had a unique touch, a different darkness compared to other bands.
Speaking of differences, they were one of the few bands in the genre that dared to create distinct concepts, as seen in the case of “The Crimson Idol.” Originally planned as a solo project for Blackie, the album ended up being released under W.A.S.P. due to pressure from their record label, Capitol Records.
What can we listen to?
Certainly, a very ambitious work that tells the story of a young man named Jonathan Steel, the black sheep of his family, who would become a rock star after the death of his brother. Despite the young man’s success, his family never acknowledged him. Lyrically, the album is quite purposeful, presenting a complete story from start to finish.
The album moves away from its glam origins, both in lyrics and music, showcasing a darker sound for that time. Excellent vocals, as was customary from Blackie Lawless, accompanied by powerful guitars, with Bob Kulick even participating as part of the band’s guitar lineup, famous for being a studio guitarist for Kiss. The drums also introduce some disruptive elements, with Frankie Banali (member of Quiet Riot) playing around with his toms, incorporating them into his rhythms.
Acoustic guitars play a crucial role in the album, giving it a feeling of solitude and depth, in line with what the lyrics aim to convey, for example, in “The Idol.

The rise and fall of a rock star
It is very interesting how this album is presented; the order of the songs and its duration are perfect to unveil its story. The passages of each song flawlessly convey the tale of this fictional character named Jonathan Steel.
In a way, the album narrates the rise and fall of a rock star in the 80s, drawing from the concept of a ‘Rockstar.’ Many legends, if not the majority, channeled their frustrations and voids through music, using it as their therapy and inspiration. To confirm this, you just need to explore the stories of famous musicians from that era, such as Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, Paul Stanley of Kiss, among others.
Blackie Lawless, on his part, showcases his excellent musical prowess as he handled all vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitars (and some lead), bass, keyboards, as well as the production and lyrics for the entire album. If it had been a solo album, it would have been perfectly understandable; however, the W.A.S.P. umbrella helped it gain more exposure.

One of the best albums by W.A.S.P.
The Crimson Idol achieves its purpose, guiding you through each of its paths and textures. Despite being acclaimed by various critics and fans, we feel that this album should have been more widely known on much larger scales. Its concept is excellent, along with its instrumentation that ensures the execution of each theme is flawless.
Undoubtedly, The Crimson Idol is a great success in the realm of the so-called ‘Rock Opera’ albums, where we can also hear Blackie Lawless at his best.
What are your thoughts on this album? Leave us your comments!