W.A.S.P. Album: “Live...In the Raw [Bonus Tracks]”

Im not big on live albums. However, one will come along every now and then and I will pay attention. This album...It still holds my attention. Im a huge WASP fan. They are the only band from the 80s that I really like (other than the thrash bands). The production on here is really really impressive for a live album. This album may be a live album, but it is a must have for any WASP fan. Plus the PMRC hated WASP with their lyrics and stage shows, which is another reason this is a must buy. Harder Faster, has a pretty cool guitar riff and a hilarious message to the PMRC. Check this album out, if you like 80s metal youll love WASP.

I'm a long-time fan of Blackie Lawless and his boys, and have been to many a show (since back in the "throw raw meat into the audience" days. If there ARE still any W.A.S.P. virgins out there, do yourselves 2 favors: 1-GO TO A FREAKIN' SHOW ALREADY! & 2-Wear black or stay at the back of the crowd). I first got this killer disc back when it was originally released, and, much like my first CD of K.F.D., literally played it to death. This is a very visual band, and while it's true you can't watch an audio recording (unless you've reached new depths of boredom and like watching it spin), this disc and the later "Double Live Assasins" are as good as it gets without a mosh pit. For pure, brain-scrambling metal, this is one of the best!

I love listening to this CD - the sound quality is great for all the live tracks except for the bonus tracks. On Widowmaker and Sex Drive, it sounds like someone sneaked in a tape recorder to the concert....the sound quality is *horrible* and the band can't stay in tune with each other. That's the only reason I'm giving the review four stars.

I can't say there is a bad song from Tracks 1-10...I love them all. The band plays really tight and they sound great! The sound quality is some of the finest I've ever heard. Hard to believe they sound so good while being so messed up, but they do play well on these tracks. My favorites are "Blind in Texas" and "9.5.-N.A.S.T.Y". Lawless' voice is great. My only nit-picky complaint is that you have this awesome, hard-rockin', ear-splitting power behind the guitars and bass, and then you have a wimpy snare drum that doesn't fit....sounds like someone tapping on a tin can.

I highly recommend this CD, at least for the first ten tracks. Rock -n- roll at its finest...