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Artist: W.A.S.P.

Title: The Neon God: Part 1 - The Rise

W.A.S.P. Homepage

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Category: Melodic Metal

Year: 2004

Label: Sanctuary Records

Catalog Number: 06076-85240-2R

Personnel

Blackie Lawless vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums
Darrell Roberts lead guitar, vocals, drums
Mike Duda bass, vocals
Frankie Banali drums, percussion
Stet Howland drums on Wishing Well

Tracks

1.	Overture	3:32
2.	Why Am I Here	0:34
3.	Wishing Well	3:33
4.	Sister Sadie (and the Black Habits)	7:42
5.	The Rise	2:28
6.	Why Am I Nothing	0:58
7.	Asylum #9	6:18
8.	The Red Room of the Rising Sun	4:40
9.	What I'll Never Find	6:02
10.	Someone to Love Me	0:50
11.	X.T.C. Riders	4:33
12.	Me and the Devil	0:52
13.	The Running Man	4:19
14.	Raging Storm	5:45
Total Running Time:		52:06

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular W.A.S.P. CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from W.A.S.P. are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Heavy Harmonies Review
From: Dan	Date: May 30, 2004 at 0:28
From the opening chords of the overture, you can tell that this album is something special. The last few W.A.S.P. efforts were solid, albeit nothing stellar. It seemed like like the group was struggling to recapture the majesty and musicianship of my two favorite W.A.S.P. efforts: The Crimson Idol (my alltime favorite W.A.S.P. album) and Still Not Black Enough. In my opinion, Blackie is at his best when he is being introspective and translating his feelings into epic material. Neon God is a welcome return to the introspective nature of Crimson Idol. It's an absolute monster, thought-provoking at every turn, and an incredible listen. Great driving material at high volume! This CD is the first half of a 2-part conceptual album that questions 'Why am I here?', and interprets one man's search for purpose and existence in the universe. Musically, the best word I can use to describe it is powerful. The choruses are strong throughout, and Blackie's signature vocals show incredible emotion on every piece. Production is top-notch, from the thunderous drumming in the overture, to the poignant guitars and strings in Why Am I Nothing, leading into my favorite stretch of the album: Asylum #9, The Red Room of the Rising Sun, and What I'll Never Find (my favorite track on the album, one of Blackie's signature ballads, an absolutely incredible epic piece of music). If the second half of this story is anywhere even close to the magnitude of the first, this will no doubt come to be known as the finest composition in an already stellar discography! Rating: 97/100

Existing comments about this CD

From: MADMAX	Date: May 30, 2004 at 19:47
Seems like i have to get this right away, cause CI and SNBE are my absolute fav WASP albums too!!

From: T-Bone	Date: May 31, 2004 at 16:41
Crimson Idol was one of Blackies greatest offerings and it seems as if he's trying to recreate the same cd again here. It's got some great music and the usual hauntingly powerful vocals, but it was nowhere near as good as Crimson Idol. 7/10

From: Rycheage	Date: June 6, 2004 at 14:51
Concept albums are sometimes hard to swallow, and to be perfectly honest-I thought this one would be. But, after reading the VERY EXTENSIVE material that comes with this CD-and hearing Blackie's passion for the concept...I gave it an open listen, and this CD truly ROCKS. It's the kind of CD you really NEED to spend time with. The more I do, the more I like it.

From: samolice	Date: June 20, 2004 at 11:10
I love Wasp forever! I appreciate so much the last album but this one is a little disapointing. The Crimson Idol was unique and can not be repeated. Never! Anyway songs are rather good to be happy with this album.

From: Uusiolli	Date: August 5, 2004 at 20:55
A big bore. Where is the fun. Crimson Idol Part 2, but after listening this record one week in a car, I can't remember a single song. I hope there will not be part 2, but a record with catchier songs. C'mon Blackie, you can still do it. 4/10

From: dckiss	Date: August 12, 2004 at 17:14
Billiant....Fantastic....Incredible....The musicianship on this album is first rate. Blackie is on to something here I am anxiously awaiting Part 2. One thing I have always noticed about GREAT albums is that it polorises people this album is no exception you will simply love it or hate it. 9/10

From: Hairfarmer	Date: August 19, 2004 at 7:25
I spun this CD - started with excitement - then anticipation - then desire for the CD to finish - I as well, cant remember a single song - The songs are not bad - just not good 5/10 - HF

From: the 'greek' fan

Date: August 27, 2004 at 19:36

it was sorda bit hard to get used to it while its a concept like crimson.i talked about it a lot with a loads of ppl n different music favorites.i think that time is needed to appreciate neon music and point,as very nicly the dude ,some posts below,said that it cannot b easily swallowed.i feel blessed that blackie didnt compose something mainstream. btw.hey t-boner!!!small world isnt it?!lol lol, so u have bought is and didnt like it huh? ((( 'estanged'

From: Kip

Date: September 1, 2004 at 1:22

Hey Dan, no fair you get so much space to describe this awesome album. Maybe I'll take two spaces .... I'm with you man, thought provoking, powerful, and a stunningly heart felt performance by Blackie. Probably his best effort to date. The tune 'Asylum #9' INSTANTLY shot up in my top 10 favorite songs of all time upon just the first listen I gave it. Die hard WASP fans are having a slow time warming up to this, because it's a lot to chew one one bite, and it's such a serious sounding....

From: Kip

Date: September 1, 2004 at 1:25

album most of his fans may have been looking for another let's-act-crazy-and-party album. I'm going to rate this as my second favorite release of the new millenium, behind just Pin Cream 69's outstanding 'Thunderdome'. Every song on here has it's place and is unique in its own way. Even the Overture is great, and I'm not a fan of instrumentals that last over a minute, but it's a perfect example of how talented these guys are, to blend riffs of different songs and meld it into one great opus.

From: Kip	Date: September 1, 2004 at 1:28
Anyway, I'd mention the highlights but since all the songs are actually very good except for 'Running Man' (Just my opinion, I know some people like that song!) If I had to pick a top 3 they would probably be Asylum, The Raging Storm and What I'll Never Find. Or Sister Sadie... Or XTC Riders... Or.... aww crap. 10/10

From: rocknroll	Date: September 21, 2004 at 17:47
AHHHHHHH the best band in the world!!! This album is very very personal, BL has put here his tallent and his voice, very sentimental album and melodic too. Great job here

From: JAVIER CALVIMON	Date: September 23, 2004 at 11:14
THE ALBUM NEON GOD PART 1 IS EXELENT , THE SONG WHAT I'LL NEVER FIND IS COOL , WASP FOREVER

From: Scott

Date: October 25, 2004 at 12:06

Blackie manages to maintain the band's sound, which is 100% metal, but is also very creative & dynamic. He seems to be trying to create another Crimson Idol, and for all intents and purposes, he succeeds. I mean, CI is among one of the best albums the band has ever recorded, so that is saying alot. Quality songs, a storyline that isn't the same old song and dance, smokin' guitar solos, and Blackie's signature wail! What else do you need? Pt 2 perhaps? Full review: www.nolifetilmetal.com/wasp.htm

From: brett sixxx	Date: November 4, 2004 at 6:35
A rather annoying record, I'm a huge fan of WASP, and since the last albums were killer, especially Dying..., I expected a lot from this one, too.Unfortunately, I can't accept mediocrity from Blackie, but WASP still remains among the best r'n'r bands. I'm truly sorry.

From:	Date: November 17, 2004 at 9:33
mediocrity? What Cd are you listening to?

From: rocknroll	Date: December 19, 2004 at 18:23
In my point of view this is not a good album, it is not a bad album though. The best songs are the raging storm, asylum n'9 and what i'll never find.

From: Lex	Date: December 24, 2004 at 6:52
Some great songs here, Raging Storm and What I'll Never Find are my favourites, worth getting just for them. Great vocals and the guitar is incredible. Good album.

From: LUST	Date: March 19, 2005 at 1:17
What's all the hype about?? I must have been anticipating this album too much. Disappointing in most aspects - where's the 'Sex, Blood and Rock and Roll' Blackie????

From: Darren D

Date: April 24, 2005 at 1:51

Why try to recapture the feeling of Crimson Idol. That album could NEVER be beaten. Neon God is lame in comparison. The songwriting is not up to standard, and the production is below par. Blackie sounds like he is going thru the motions with his vocal deliveries. The Neon God releases were a major disappointment to me. Blackie needs to get back to The Headless Children era, and put out an album of stadium rock anthems.

From: TomStavely

Date: October 6, 2005 at 4:21

Good but nothing close to the old 80's stuff but really they couldnt sound like that in 2005 so for what a band can do and how it can evolve this is pretty good Helldorado, Dying for the world,and Unholy Terror all were pretty dull and slightly crap, This is their best album since Still not Black enough, Worth buying alone for the tracks XTC RIDERS, and RED ROOM OF THE RISING SUN, There are lots of good tunes here but i think id rather listen to Restless Gypsie than any songs here. 2005 er 6/10

From: poproxx2007	Date: December 22, 2005 at 23:30
Good but alot of filler. If you take the best songs on this and the best on 2, you would have a great cd. Many songs have that same melody that was on Crimson Idol. Still a big fan of Blackie.

From: poproxx2007	Date: December 22, 2005 at 23:30
Good but alot of filler. If you take the best songs on this and the best on 2, you would have a great cd. Many songs have that same melody that was on Crimson Idol. Still a big fan of Blackie.

From: Fat Freddy

Date: January 23, 2006 at 5:58

I hate to say this as I'm a HUGE W.A.S.P. fan and have been for twenty years, but the NEON GOD saga was a bomb for me. (Yet, I still bought both volumes... go figure) I was hoping for another tour de force like THE CRIMSON IDOL but what I got sounded like a bunch of lukewarm IDOL leftovers. There are a couple of cool songs spread throughout the two discs but not enough to justify making this a two-album piece.

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: December 6, 2006 at 19:12
This saga and their previews one are not like the classical stuff that they were use to give us in the past.Wasp rules anyway!

From: Aussie Dave

Date: December 26, 2006 at 20:34

There are 4 or 5 classic WASP songs here, but to me the rest of the album is just ok! The story seems a bit confusing and Blackie seems to be trying to hard to create another 'Crimson Idol'! Asylum #9 is a classic rock song! Sister Sadie, and also XTC Riders are very cool songs as well. What I'll Never Find is a nice ballad, but to me the other songs are very average, besides Wishing Well which gets things off to a cool start. The albums good, but i expected better. 7.5/10.....

From: Scrounger	Date: July 22, 2008 at 12:03
I don't get it?? 'KFD' sucks to everyone. 'Helldorado' sucks to everyone. The two previous albums bettered those with excellent lyrics and atmosphere, then along comes the 'Neon God'. Tell me people, what piles of garbage were you listening to in 2004 that was better than these 2 cds?????? These albums are excellent, a god-send from Blackie!

From: MadMax	Date: November 21, 2010 at 3:09
The atmosphere is the same as in Crimson Idol, but something essential is missing. I'm not getting those irresistible headbanging vibes and haunting moods that CI still offers me! Clearly Blackie is trying to recapture the CI magic, and comes closer than ever since "Still Not Black Enough", but still not close enough.

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: May 22, 2012 at 21:52
Decent conceptual effort by Mr Lawless & Co...he's done it in the past with the band's "Crimson Idol" release but not as good as the aforementioned one IMO...still it has great moments in the shape of "Wishing Well","Sister Sadie","Asylum #9","The Red Room Of The Risng Sun","X.T.C. Riders" & "The Running Man"...85/100

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