Battle of the Bands: WASP and/or Maiden?
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 12:01AM Today, another post from our friend HIM!
It was one of those rarer and rarer weeks in metal: two recognized “heritage” metal bands; two new releases. But, in some ways, the two bands couldn’t be more different.
First up, Iron Maiden and the new song “Speed of Light” off the forthcoming The Book of Souls album:
Next up, W.A.S.P.’s “Last Runaway” off of the forthcoming album Golgotha:
The former has continued to blaze a trail sold-out stadiums (in South America and elsewhere), recovering some of the luster they lost after Bruce Dickinson left the band . . . by welcoming him and Adrian Smith back into the fold in 1999. The latter has experienced numerous lineup changes and shrinking fortunes in the years since their 80’s heyday, none more apparent than the loss (and then loss again) of Chris Holmes in 2001.
Both songs find both bands in good form considering their years in the game. Maiden was formed in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, who is 59. W.A.S.P. was formed in 1982 and Blackie Lawless is a well-worn 58, having suffered in recent years from some health issues. They both belong to an increasingly shrinking club of bands who made their names in the golden years of metal and still continue to ply their trade, regardless the divergent paths they find themselves on. In an age where the once indestructible Lemmy—pale, drawn, and frail—can barely recall the right song to sing, that matters.
The initial reactions from the keyboard quarterbacks are as one would expect. On the one hand, some claim that Maiden is just repeating past glories and Dickinson’s holy orifice—his mouth, and those vocals which lifted the band past its punkish/NWBHM origins in the hands of singer Paul Di’Anno—is starting to show signs of age. On the other, this is the best thing ever released and shows fans of watered down contemporary metal how it is done. On the one hand, W.A.S.P. sound far too upbeat and really need to get back to the glories of their self-titled debut and The Last Command. On the other, this is perfectly in keeping with some of their lesser known but well-regarded songs, such as “Inside the Electric Circus” off the album of the same name or “Forever Free” off of The Headless Children.
Personally, I find the release by W.A.S.P. the more tantalizing of the two. W.A.S.P. are, and will continue to be, a guilty pleasure for me for one signal reason (not the raw meat of the past, or the puerile lyrics of their most shock-provoking songs): Blackie’s voice. He can still sing. He can still write songs that play to his strengths. Now if he can only keep the fans happy while also navigating his new-ish calling to bring a religious element into a catalog that was once so thoroughly bereft of any.
Though I still enjoy Maiden, I occasionally fall into the first camp of interweb reactionaries: more of the same, even if it is—in some ways, like a lesser AC/DC—comforting to hear one of the bands of my youth consistently releasing solid songs (and fun to watch videos). I don’t fault Dickinson his voice, for the same reasons I don’t moan about Halford’s.
I am just glad both bands are around and will see them if I get the chance. So, where do you stand? Take one, take ‘em both, or leave them?
Reader Comments (16)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvjnyWTAS2w
His listed age is 58, with a DOB of September 4, 1956 (and some sources--official and otherwise--online suggest he was barely 18 when he joined the NYDs and then started Killer Kane). Is he playing fast and loose with those dates, Ace? I totally goofed on the origin date for Iron Maiden (I know why, but who cares?). But I think I am on point with the rest of the dates/ages listed.
Incredible link as well. Have never heard that song before! I hope this is just a taste of what is to come when you finally get your book into our hands. You are a partisan, Ace. But your passion is never in question. Still would like a bit of an answer re: Lawless (the question I posted a couple of months ago).
That WASP tune sounds like Bon Jovis "Blood Brothers".
(there USED to be an "Edit" feature... I used it often!) I'm gonna say Blackie or whoever is years-shaving when it comes to his bio. I know he did it back in the day, when labels were shy to sign anyone over 25. I'm not shy... I'm 54 & first came in contact w/ Blackie the day before my 16th birthday, Seeing Quiet Riot w/ Randy Rhoads open 3rd on the bill to Blackie's band, "Sister" at the Troubadour in L.A. That was After the Dolls.. After Killer Kane had run it's course, & pre-Circus Circus & what became W.A.S.P. There's some serious time compression going on, to get all those bands into that time frame. As for your question, I must've missed it... my email address is no secret... acesteele @ gmail . Ask me again there. That way, I can answer & share a couple other gems like Silver Rain w/ you, that would make the picture into his songwriting much clearer.
God Bless 'em both, considering their health issues and ages, that they can carry a tune at all. I'm also surprised the vocals weren't cleaned up more in both cases.
As far as the songwriting goes, as B Lucas says, they're just okay, though I also agree with HIM and BK that WASP eeks out Maiden here.
It's no secret if you've read any of my previous comments here over the years, how I feel about Maiden, which isn't much. That said, I don't think this is their worst moment. That said, this isn't one of WASP's better moments, either, though it still beats Maiden, though, just barely.
Some great posts. And Bkallday is right (another point of contact): Eddie is one of those legendary metal mascots, up there with Snaggletooth for Motorhead. Without them, no Vic Rattlehead.
p.s. Speaking of mascots, let's not forget that "Gabba! Gabba! Hey!" Dude who running around onstage at every Ramones show in a weird goblin mask waving a sign touting that message during the song of the same title. Don't know if he had a name, but surely he qualifies as a mascot of sorts, though I'm not sure if he was considered an official one.