Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
MORE CHOPS THAN A BUTCHER'S SHOP...., May 13, 2007
Having been somewhat but not completely lost in the 9/11 wilderness of politics and associated discussion of "Dying For the World" and then the less than equally stellar re-work of "The Crimson Idol" on "Neon I and II" I was afraid that Blackie had forgotten the lesson he had learnt on "Unholy Terror" namely the tune best comes before the message in the song writing process. When I read the themes of this album were again political my heart sank, but I bought it anyway because with W.A.S.P releases you will definitely always find something of merit on every release. I have been pleasantly surprised from the digestion process of early listening that this is a solid and enjoyable release.
The liner notes from Blackie indicate you can read the lyrical message this time as American imperialism or man's dominance over woman. Indeed you could but the lyrical content is unmistakably political. This ain't no "Helldorado/Dying" hybrid, this is no sex, drugs and rock and roll. What I do like though is that the songs are more punchy and have a fire in their belly. The tracks don't wander far to self absorbed until we hit 'Heavens Hung In Black' but thankfully it is at a slightly more measured quantity than on previous outings. I still think it slows the pace and bogs down the middle of a solid release, but I feel these kind of songs have on much of W.A.S.P's back catalogue after 'Headless' and this one ain't gonna change this guys opinions on that subject, sorry.
Highlights though are the openers "Mercy" and "Long, Long Way To Go" the former punches, spits and sparkles with great songwriting prowess and the later with its insistent drum work that brings you along for the ride whether you want to or not. Indeed 'Long Way' has more chops than a local butchers shop. "Take Me Up" is intro-balladry Blackie style but leads into a Zep like bridge with a great chorus to follow. It builds into a titanic song that is breathless in delivery. 'The Burning Man' possesses a great vocal and those who loved 'Running Wild in the Street' should be exceedingly happy, just have a listen to that bass and drum work phew. 'Heaven's Blessed' is very cool and the nice clear production values help you like the song quickly its punchy and direct as is the follower in 'Teacher'. 'Deal With The Devil' is a hellion child of former glories and actually is really what most of us remember W.A.S.P doing best way back when. Infact I think this release has the best blend of W.A.S.P styles since 'The Last Command' a big call.
A change in running order with the more punchy stuff upfront and the 'Heaven's Hung' section at the rear would have made this an even more rewarding experience for me I think but I suppose in today's day and age you can re-gig til your own hearts content. Good solid release this time, welcome back to the winners circle.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Next Chapter..., May 27, 2007
After nearly a month owning this album, I feel it is now time to write a review on it. After countless listens I finally have a feel for what this album is about.
Many people were somewhat dissapointed with W.A.S.P.'s last release of the double concept album "The Neon God." and for that reason, many people had doubts about this album as well. Where could Blackie and the boys go from there? Are their best days behind them? All that and many more questions were raised. Once the track listing for "Dominator" was released, the concern right away was the length of the album. Now, getting into the meat of the album, the length isn't that big of a deal in my opinion. Here is a track-by-track synopsis of "Dominator."
1. Mercy - This is the perfect quintessential W.A.S.P. way to begin an album. The listener quickly identifies with the W.A.S.P. way of song writing and is not overwhelmed. A heavy, rocking song to get the listener pumped and ready for the rest of the ride. Very reminiscent of say, their song "Tormentor" from their debut album. 4/5
2. Long Long Way To Go - A pretty heavy riff to begin the song. Again, the band doesn't really venture into new territories here, but the song is a good and heavy rocking track. Chorus can be a bit repetitive but the guitar work more than makes up for that. 3.5/5
3. Take Me Up - This song took me a few listens to really grab and hold it. Starts soft and makes you think it's going to be a ballad; then the classic W.A.S.P. riffs come in. Dark lyrics thast are also very mylodic, which is what we've all come to expect from Blackie and his song writing. This has become one of my favorites on the album. 4.5/5
4. The Burning Man - This is my favorite track on the album. Killer lyrics, classic guitar playing, and just an overall catchy song that keeps you rocking. Blackie seems to put forth every emotion into this song. 5/5
5. Heaven's Hung In Black - This track has gotten a lot of attention from W.A.S.P. fans as it is deemed one of the best ballad-type songs Blackie has ever written. Although I like the song, and the message behind it is also clear, I feel it doesn't do anything different from previous W.A.S.P. "ballads." Think "Forever Free" on their Headless Children album and you can pretty m,uch understand this song as well. It does have an awesome intro though with one of the countries best patriotic tunes ever. Great song that is one of their best, but in rhe end, isn't really anything different. 4.5/5
6. Heaven's Blessed - At first glance it seems like it could be another ballad to continue the previous track, but this is hardly the case. This song is heavy and really pulls no punches. The message is also loud and clear and Blackie again pours every raw emotion into his singing and lyrics. 4/5
7. Teacher - In my opinion the weakest song on the album. It took me a few listens to get what this song was trying to say. After I figured it out I can see that it does fit with the overall theme of the album, but it feels rushed and poorly placed within the track listing. I say if it was put earlier in the album, (3rd or 4th track) it would have a bigger impact and not feel so rushed but after the previous two tracks it seems a bit out of place. 3.5/5
8. Heaven's Hung In Black [Reprise] - In my opinion this is a good soft track, but I can also say that there really was no need for the Reprise. I would have maybe included this track as a bonus acoustic version at the end of the album. Where it is placed seems a bit random and kills the rocking mood a little bit before the end of the album. If it had been included as a bonus track, it would have opened room for another heavy song to keep the mood somewhat consistent. 3.5/5
9. Deal With The Devil - Some have said that this song is out of place and doesn't really belong on this album. I disagree. After hearing the album many times and coming to the understanding of the overall theme, I can say that I believe it fits perfectly. Coming off the heels of the [Reprise] it may feel and seem out of place but after a few listens it does gel. A rocking, heavy, classic W.A.S.P. tune to end an album that is just shy of 45 minutes in length. 4/5
There you have it. The album may be a bit on the short side compared to most albums now-a-days, but considering the message Blackie aimed to portray in this album, what's on there says it all. I highly recommend this album for any and all W.A.S.P. fans as Blackie and the boys show that they still got it! Never Say Die!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutelly Brilliant Record, May 16, 2007
I received Dominator a few days ago. I have never reviewed anything on Amazon before, but I am just so glad to have spent the money to buy this album. I am a long time fan of WASP and I have to agree with another reviewer who says that this is their best album since the beloved Crimson Idol. Although I enjoyed both Neon Gods, I thought that Blackie maybe overtook too much as a whole and couldn't quite capture the magic that the Idol had.
This album though is sterling in my view. Every song is brilliant (specially the first 6) and all of them have their own identity and personality inside the record. There is a song which is a reprise of another one that comes earlier in the album "Heaven's Hung In Black," but the melody and the concept of the song is so phenomenal and haunting that I didn't mind one bit. "Mercy", "Take Me Up" and "The Burning Man" are absolute classics and some of the best tunes I've heard in a long time from any rock act. This is a very Social Conscious album, political if you will, which I think is great as we live in a time in the world where some tough questions need to be answered and we all need to open our eyes and see where our leaders are taking us. I commend Blackie for taking his possition in the music world and be voice for many of us and our views, and maybe, perhaps get other people thinking as well.
In a nut shell, I would give this album 10 stars out of 10 if I could just for the brilliant musical content alone, but the "meaty" songs and significant lyrics that fill the album puts this record into a category of it's own: Excellence.
If you like rock with meaning and intelligence, go buy this record today.
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