The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise

W.A.S.P. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0001XAJZ2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,688 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: W.A.S.P.
Title: NEON GOD-PART 1
Street Release Date: 04/20/2004
Domestic
Genre: HEAVY METAL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm your Physician with a Mission in Mind, December 27, 2005

By 

James Walsh (Mesa, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise (Audio CD)

The problem with music today is there is no brain, heart, or soul put into it. One of 2005's biggest hits was a song by a white guy in pants that don't fit and in more cheap jewelry than a Nevada call-girl "singing" in an angry spoken word about "sitting sideways." I suppose each generation is entitled to relate to whatever music they so choose but it is my God given right to point out the idiocy of my surroundings no matter if it hurts the simple minded or not.
That said, if you have read some of the reviews of the WASP "Neon God" set, you probably have seen a lot of really confused 30-something-year-old women less than satisfied that this album is not about what Blackie Lawless is like in bed. While the sleaze of WASP's early recordings is what got me into the band, the integrity of their new work is what keeps me a fan. I cannot help that some people have narrow-mindedly typecast the band into a small creative box and will not allow that band to grow out of that box or at least mature and release something different. But I'm sure both myself and the band themselves can rest assured that if Blackie would have given these women what they say they wanted and sung songs about his testicles, those same people would've bitched, moaned, and complained that the band is "trying to relive their glory days." In other words, don't believe what you read from those who simply will not be satisfied because they are battling their own borderline mid-life crisis and don't appreciate, like, or accept anything new including new releases by great bands that have a history behind them.
Now that I've ranted on the narrow minded and flat out idiotic reviews that lowered my IQ by at least a dozen points, let me put the album under the microscope with the concept that WASP is a metal band and not just a metal band that sings about sex acts. After all, we didn't pan Elvis' post Hound Dog releases because it had nothing to do with the k-nine species so why should we pan WASP's work because it is a little bit more complex than Animal?
This story is quite complex. Incase you've not read it on the reviews - the ones that actually understand the story, that is - the story is one that could pass as a Stephen King novel only WASP didn't get tired and actually put an ending worth sticking around for which is rarely the case for any Stephen King release. The story is of a boy named Jessie who is abused and orphaned. Over time, he discovers his ability to read minds. This ability earns him a following as these people look up to him as some sort of dark Messiah. The story progresses over time with the first Neon God release being titled "The Rise" and part 2 is described as "The Demise." So, naturally you can tell from the titles what each disc is about and how it tells the story.
The story takes many twists and turns throughout and those are reflected in the tone and sound of the album. Speaking of the sound of the album, I first want to compliment the producers for making this record sound really good. For concept albums, production must be high otherwise something gets lost in translation. This is a relatively crisp and clear sounding recording and that assists to the impact of the disc. Second, the musicianship is fantastic.
Someone who reviewed this album and put it down actually complimented the musicianship on a Green Day record. With all due respect to Green Day as they are not the worst band of all time though not something I'd consider myself a fan of, they aren't a pimple on Blackie Lawless' ass when it comes to talent. Blackie surrounds himself with the best musicians available and damn does it shine through in every album and every concert. Green Day? Well, it's good to know an anti-American and anti-Western civilization group of drunks that know 2 guitar strings can get air play these days. They're the best of the worst but complimenting them and mocking or putting down WASP is like saying "Those Indianapolis Colts are pretty damn good. But, my pee-wee junior-high football team went undefeated. So, we're better!" Get a clue, M'kay?
Back to the music. There are good and not so good points to the music on this album. Lets start with the not so good.
First, it's not quite as melodic as many WASP fans might expect. Don't get me wrong, it's melodic pop metal and you will find yourself singing along to certain songs. But, many songs could not stand on their own upon first listen because you'd either wouldn't understand it due to the concept or it doesn't sound good without hearing the song before it.
In addition, there are a few short songs that are best described as intro and outros. Perhaps "filler" could be a term that can be used but in a concept, sometimes a transition needs to be made and that is the purpose of such tracks.
And finally, some of the tracks can run together. This also is common for concepts but I do not like when it happens. Call me old fashioned but I like to know when a song begins and ends.
And now, the good.
First, the story is very cool. I love debating people who tell me my chosen style of music is not about anything when they like the most mindless of mindless drivel. Now all I have to do is whip out the booklet that comes with this CD with the story on it and say, "About nothing, huh?"
Second, but second to none, are Blackie Lawless' vocals. I am always shocked that guys like Kevin DuBrow and Blackie Lawless can be screamers for so many years and still sound the same while Steven Tyler sings in a far less rough style on his voice and even his spoken voice sounds like he's had 6 to 10 throat cancer operations at this point.
Third, great songs but one really stands out. I said above that not all the songs can be played on the radio and be accepted or taken well without knowing the story. This is true of most of the tracks but not of "Asylum #9." I played that track on the radio all of once and one person wrote me saying it was, as he put it, "the best song I've heard in 5 years." But hey, we can't play that song on the radio because the ever so talented Green Day wrote an ever so meaningful song calling us all idiots. Naturally that will get lots of play and we'll eat it but WASP and true talented rock bands get ignored to continue to attempt to keep the myth of Cobain's greatness alive... Sorry, got lost in a rant yet again. "Asylum #9" is just a great song. I have cranked that one up REALLY loud and screamed at the top of my lungs trying to do my best Blackie Lawless impression on many occasions. Blackie sounds great, there's a mind blowing solo, and the band just shines on this cut. I'd like to see them perform this song live though the few times I've seen them since this release, they have not.
And finally, why don't I just give the band credit for staying metal when it seems to be "cool" to sell out your past and look like your father sitting next to you as he takes you to your drivers test and pumps his fist to your music like pathetic Joe Elliot does and Aerosmith did when they sold their soul for a mediocre last run by dancing with Nsync and Britney Spears. Simply put, Blackie understands that WASP is a heavy metal band that performs heavy metal. Regardless the lyrics be them groin driven or brain driven, the sound is loud and there is no apologies made for not being trendy, hip, or cool. After all, you see, that describes the typical metal head, doesn't it? A little dark, a little weird, a little crazy, but a whole lot of fun? If not, I'm in the wrong genre!
So, overall, is this album worth buying? I'd say yes but only if you have an IQ greater than your amount of teeth and aren't an arrogant person who will not accept the maturity of a band. In other words, if you're going to be pissed that you won't hear a generic rip off of Animal on this album, keep your money and buy one of WASP's great live CD's or DVD's. But if you want a kick in the teeth with something fresh, new, different, yet still kick ass metal, buy it! You'll enjoy the story, most of the songs, and you'll get to hear one of metal's unsung heroes, Blackie Lawless, belt out songs with as strong of a voice as ever before!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, The Neon God is no Crimson Idol., May 21, 2004

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise (Audio CD)

What's good about it?

W.A.S.P. keeps the energy and the intensity at a solid 10 throughout this musical journey. Once you get into the first real track "Wishing Well," you'll lean that the central character, Jesse Slane, has just arrived at the orphanage and learned of the horrors of what's to come. This crushing guitar track is about where the tortured children go to drown their misery (literally). "Sister Sadie" is to The Neon God what "Chainsaw Charlie" was to The Crimson Idol. Sadie, and the music that accompanies her, is quite sadistic. She puts Jesse though such inhumane abuse. You can actually hear his pain reflected in Blackie's vocals.

Unable to bear the torture any longer, Jesse plunges into the well to set himself free. Instead of dying, he sees visions of his destiny on "Underature." The dark organ tones set the mood for the future that waits.

Now committed to "Asylum #9," Jesse learns there is no escape. The resident doctor is sure to fix him right. One gets the feeling "Doctor Rockter" may have transferred there. Guitarist Darrell Roberts lays down some great solos as the song fades out. Jesse and his fellow inmates find sanctuary in "The Red Room of the Rising Sun." It's the place where they get high to escape the hell they live in. The track is led by a trippy riff that puts the listener right there.

The dark ballad "What I'll Never Find" is about the suicide of Jesse's closest friend (Note: there seems to be no significance to his death, as it relates to the story). Once again Darrell runs rampant over his fretboard. Jesse's transformation into cult figure begins with "XTC Riders," as he is taken in by his 'Devil's keeper' who exposes him to the power of influence. With a small army of disciples behind him, and his popularity growing increasingly stronger, Jesse realizes that he may not be the 'evil one' that his master molded him to be. As Part One reaches it's conclusion with "Running Man" and "The Raging Storm," Jesse fights within himself to decide whether he is good or evil. Jesse and the listener are now left to ponder; is he the anti-Christ, the new Messiah, or a false idol?

Anything bad?

Four tracks of filler; "Why am I Here" (:37), "Why Am I Nothing" (1:01), "Someone to Love Me" (1:05), and "Me and the Devil" (:55). Storyline is a bit dull.

Bottom Line

Let me start off by saying that I'm a huge W.A.S.P. fan. I have everything they've ever done (even LP singles). Needless to say, I was really looking forward to this release. It's inevitable that this will be compared to The Crimson Idol. Sadly, The Neon God is no Crimson Idol. However, it's still packed with some of the most ferocious and terrifying heavy metal around. Plain and simple, W.A.S.P. makes music to please their fans, and with The Neon God they deliver. You'd think that W.A.S.P. would have mellowed after all this time. No way! Blackie is still full of all the piss and vinegar that he became notorious for. I think the storyline is tough to relate to though. When you listen to The Crimson Idol you can picture yourself, or even Blackie Lawless, going through some of the same situations and emotions set forth. The Neon God, on the other hand, is mostly fictional, unless of course you've been in a cult, orphanage, or an asylum. The marketing of a two-part album is a great idea; because being a W.A.S.P. fanatic, I can't wait to hear what's next!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WASP's Latest Rocks - how much of a chance will you give it?, May 4, 2004

By 

Kurt J. Schneider "rocknroll_kurt" (South Barrington, Il United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise (Audio CD)

You know - I read the reviews and there is obviously a mixed opinion of this CD. When I first listened to it, I was in my car on the way home from the store and I thought that it was a bit hollow in the production department. In listening to this disk now over 20 times throughout on better home equipment (actually a home theater) I have to say that this is one of the finest pieces of work they have put out in a long time. SNBE was one of my favorites (Japan version). Crimson and Headless are classics that can't be beat. People! It is 2004 and we are still getting some worthy metal from the likes of WASP who made their stardom on a song about an Animal.

"Asylum #9" and "What I'll never find" are exceptional standouts. The thing is I am not jumping songs, I like listening to it in order in its entirety. And while this disk will take some effort to get into, its depth and detail are so ambitious I can't understand the negativity

WASP fans are an interesting bunch. Some love KFD (not my fav) and Helldorado (I think their worst). I, in one way or another appreciate all their work. My complaints of the past few releases have been mainly the production and how Blackie's voice is drowned out in the mix. With proper equipment this thing sounds just wonderful. Bring on Part 2! Where is the DVD-A? And maybe the question "Oh, tell me Lord why am I here" will be answered in part two, not for us as a definitive solution, but as a path to find our own reasons for being here.