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Artist: W.A.S.P.

Title: W.A.S.P.

W.A.S.P. Homepage

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Category: Melodic Metal

Year: 1984

Label: Original Masters

Catalog Number: 155012

Personnel

Chris Holmes rhythm guitar, lead guitar
Blackie Lawless bass guitar, lead vocals
Tony Richards drums, vocals
Randy Piper lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals

Tracks

1.	Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)	3:07
2.	I Wanna Be Somebody	3:43
3.	L.O.V.E. Machine	3:51
4.	The Flame	3:41
5.	B.A.D.	3:56
6.	School Daze	3:35
7.	Hellion	3:39
8.	Sleeping (In the Fire)	3:55
9.	On Your Knees	3:48
10.	Tormentor	4:10
11.	The Torture Never Stops	3:56
12.	Show No Mercy bonus track	3:48
13.	Paint It Black bonus track	3:27		Cover: Rolling Stones
Total Running Time:		48:36

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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Existing comments about this CD

From: Kalus	Date: March 28, 2001 at 18:52
Please. Buy this. It is great. What a classic. Buy this.

From: bigmike	Date: May 17, 2001 at 1:26
This album has some value, mainly 'LOVE machine', 'I wanna be somebody' and 'sleeping in the fire' if your more of a melodic hard rock fan like me. Other than this album, the crimson idol and the last command are OK, the rest of what WASP has to offer is essentially shit...too many poor songs based around the same type of sound.

From: SleazyMusic	Date: September 11, 2001 at 1:51
Well, this record is great...Raw vocals and loud guitars...Three chords and two smokin' guts...Blackie Lawless rules!!! Anything WASP rules? Well, I don't think so...Inside the electric circus was poor...but Crimson Idol is one of the best hard rock cds ever...

From: SHAG	Date: October 22, 2001 at 14:20
Great album and great image!! This is a true heavy metal classic!!! Blackie & the boys rule here!!!!!!

From: Motley	Date: February 4, 2002 at 14:57
The sick bastard Blackie and the boyz first full length. I love it and its a masterpiece. LOVE all the songs!!!!!!!!!!

From: Tormentor	Date: February 21, 2002 at 1:55
The hooks and the melodies are captivating. Given the lyrical content, straight from hell I'm sure. I grew up on this record and i'm still washing off the sin.

From: Hazardous	Date: March 17, 2002 at 4:41
Blackie Lawless ranks up there as one of the most awesome voices in rock. A classic.....Brad Sinsel from TKO still reigns!

From: Tony	Date: April 10, 2002 at 3:45
I mean if you say you love heavy metal and I look in your cd collection and you don't own this cd then just who do you think you're fooling man???? One of those classics you have to have without thinking.

From: Desslar	Date: April 10, 2002 at 4:41
Great raunchy rock. Too bad it doesn't offend as much as it used to.

From: samolice	Date: May 17, 2002 at 12:29
In 1984, a bomb exploded in heavy music : WASP. This 1st album is one of the greatest of all times. A song like Sleeping (In the Fire)is FANTASTIC. In 2002, this album is always on top. Forever

From: WidoMakr	Date: May 17, 2002 at 20:46
Samolice...not to be redundant but I agree ...Sleeping is an AMAZING tune....IMO second only to The Headless Children....WASP was and always will be one of the truely amazing hard rock/metal bands to create music from the 80's 90's and beyond...Blackie Lawless...he IS the man...Quote the WidoMakr....never more

From: motley

Date: May 27, 2002 at 16:02

I still remember the headlines in the newspaper when they came to my home country (native SWEDEN) and I was 10 years LOLOLOLOL. This cd is immortal and opened the doors for billions of band to copy. A cult classic cd that should be in ALL metal collection like all WASPS cd's. Not one bad cd (except K.F.D) Blackie you are a MEAN MOTHERFUCKING MAN and you are a dirty old bastard kicking ass the way a real man should do:O)!!!

From: RichieRocker	Date: June 27, 2002 at 17:37
I love the song 'I wanna be somebody' and I love 'Animal F--k like a beast'. A lot of animalistic attitude and just pure craziness when it comes to Blackie and the band.

From: el colebrom	Date: July 6, 2002 at 15:29
THE GUY is a demon!!!!

From: Indigo Shift	Date: July 9, 2002 at 6:16
My hat's off to this one...every song on this record is a milestone in my life. This record changed my life, and the face of heavy metal all at the same time. I never listened to Stryper again after this one. Money simply can't buy that kind of positive lifestyle change. Thanks, Blackie!

From: canadian metal	Date: August 19, 2002 at 18:00
this album will always be my favorite not saying there could never be a better one but every tune just brings back such fond memories thanks BLACKIE for babysitting me when i was yuong

From: Baris	Date: September 8, 2002 at 13:17
The only word to say is 'WOWWWW!'. I remember the super video of 'I Wanna Be Somebody'. 'L.O.V.E. Machine' is an anthem. What can I tell more? AN ARCHIVE MUST!

From: JAVIER-MADRID	Date: January 8, 2003 at 2:07
Unico, W.A.S.P en estado puro, ya nunca volvieron a hacer un disco similar, tan crudo y salvaje.

From: Bulldozer

Date: March 7, 2003 at 18:51

Wow!!! These guys really knew how to rock!...and still do. OK, maybe the songwriting here isn't as good as on later albums (The Crimson Idol etc.) but you really gotta admire their attitude on the debut!! Rock on!!...I really like Blackie, he is one of really good guys, I mean I like his comments on the CDs. They must have had lots of booze and chicks, when they made this...especially when talking about Chris Holmes...he is mad! All in all, one of the most remarkble debuts of this genre!

From: steve	Date: May 9, 2003 at 13:03
Animal(Fuck Like a Beast),they are a FUCKING BEAST!!!, I WANT TO BE SOMEBODY,L.O.V.E MACHINE,HELLION, ON YOUR KNEES and BLACKIE what more could you want

From: Scandinavia

Date: June 28, 2003 at 10:43

Yes, this became a classic metal album but it couldn't have been for innovativity...Probably because of their 'Shock-effect' a little like Lizzy Borden although they had far more talent. Sorry guys. I like this album though. Especially 'I wanna...' & 'L.O.V.E Machine' but just never got the hang of ol' Blackie & his crew...They could have released this album & just copied it & released it under different names. I mean, all the 80s albums almost sound the same. 3 chords and the same melodies....

From: Scandinavia	Date: June 28, 2003 at 10:45
I have all their albums but never really listen to them...Maybe I should give 'em another try? Just remember it being a bit too simple for my taste...Sorry again!

From: Scandinavia	Date: June 28, 2003 at 10:47
I wrote: 'All 80s albums sound the same...' NOT in general only regarding WASP in this case...No misunderstandings!

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: November 25, 2003 at 17:16
Fucking classic is what this is. It's very cheesy in parts, but that's part of what makes it so damn great. Blackie's ability to write a good hook is amazing...he should change his name to uh...Blackie Flawless...yeah that's it...okay maybe not. This one rocks, still holds up great today, in fact I'm listening to it now. 'You're sleeping in the fiiirrre....' awesome, just fuckin' awesome....

From: lance1	Date: December 14, 2003 at 2:01
a great cd to have.on your knees and i wanna be somebody kick butt.chris holmes is very good on this one.what a great live band to see.influenced by kiss,they took shock rock to another level.kudos to blackie lawless and co.

From: Valky	Date: March 20, 2004 at 9:30
I don't know why isn't Randy Piper mentioned in lead guitars, but I definetely remember his skeleton guitar. And Blackie of course is the godfather of hard rock!

From: jack	Date: May 18, 2004 at 6:56
A great mix of melodic and heavy metal songs. Unlike Europe,W.a.s.p manage to keep their music heavy and loud while in the same time,blend it in some melody. A truly great but underated album. i wanna be somebody is my favourite song in this album but i think L.o.v.e machine and hellion is the best songs overall while on your knees is perhaps the weakest and most melodic among all. Rating:9.5/10

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: May 18, 2004 at 8:45
While I agree that this is a fine release worthy of much praise, to mention it in the same context as Europe is at best misleading. They're not even remotely from the same genre. That's like saying 'Unlike Neil Diamond, Cannibal Corpse has managed to keep necrophilia in their music.' The only similarity between Europe and WASP is that they were both big in the 80's.

From: jack	Date: May 19, 2004 at 5:49
What i am saying is while europe is pure melodic metal,W.a.s.p is not as they have almost half of heavy metal element in most of their music. Anyway,yer right,blue charvel europe and wasp is very different from each other although they are classify under the same genre(melodic metal) in the site. WASP MAYBE IS A BIT MORE SIMILAR TO RATT OR DOKKEN,WOULDN'T YOU AGREE?

From: jack	Date: May 20, 2004 at 0:39
I think i've got what wasp music is more alike to:Quiet riot. Not the late 80's quiet riot but the early 80's quiet riot when they have a different lead vocalist which is almost similar to blackie.The guitar sounding and drum is almost similar too!

From: Mike h	Date: June 1, 2004 at 20:41
If you find this album in stores DO NOT hesitate to purchase it. they are amazingly awesome and there songs are so catchy and they rock! Blackie Lawless is one of the most amazing frontman of the 80's metal genre. the good songs on this album are ANIMAL(F**K LIKE A BEAST), B.A.D., SCHOOL DAZE, HELLION, and there most famous song I WANNA BE SOMEBODY.

From: Big Papa K	Date: June 30, 2004 at 16:46
Pretty good debut by W.A.S.P. as they sound like a heavier Quiet Riot/Twisted Sister on this record. Has some of their classic tracks such as 'I Wanna Be Somebody', 'Animal' and 'L.O.V.E. Machine', but not much diversity here. 7/10

From: love metal	Date: July 21, 2004 at 20:35
I wouldn't be love metal if i didn't like this one. LOVE all the songs and i think i will put that in now and listen to it. Glad i went to the 'W''s. 'School's daze' and 'L.O.V.E. machine' are the best.

From: Uusiolli	Date: August 5, 2004 at 20:16
As a complete package, gets a bit boring. But put it into a multi cd-player and shuffle-mode on you'll find that all the songs are quite good. The Flame is my favourite 8/10

From: Papa Knows	Date: September 20, 2004 at 11:49
Easier to enjoy if you look W.A.S.P. as a Metal and not as a Hard Rock band! Some songs, as Hellion, On Your Knees and Torture Never Stops sound as Judas Priest in Painkiller or Screaming For Vengeance! And 1 last question: Why donīt you include bands as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest on this site?

From: Ed	Date: September 20, 2004 at 16:52
Check out www.brutalmetal.com, they got IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST there.

From: figgy	Date: September 29, 2004 at 12:48
WASP has always been metal to me.I finally saw them in florida about 2 years ago .Blackie is awesome for this style of music.They were my idols growing up.Too bad the 80's crashed so quickly.

From: gener8tr

Date: October 29, 2004 at 13:53

I remember buying this cassette tape in 1984 and all my friends thought I was crazy. We were all a bunch of Leppard, Crue and Scorpions fans at the time, and this was a bit of a departure... 'WASP, who the Hell are they?' Well, after a few listens they quickly became fans as well! I.M.O., this debut ranks right up there was the best of the era. SLEEPING IN THE FIRE is often overlooked, but a great track. There is no better song to describe the term 'MELODIC METAL.' Blackie ROCKS!!!!!

From: figgy	Date: January 25, 2005 at 20:15
Pure metal with an edge.Blackie's voice is unrelenting! I believe there were 4 of them not just the 3 listed.Loved this .Had it on vinyl Saw them @ a place called Horizons in florida.This and the last command were their best.

From: eddie	Date: March 29, 2005 at 16:27
Beyond classic! All the songs could easily be hits!!! I love it.

From: pinche pendejo	Date: April 4, 2005 at 19:49
Loved WASP, especially this cd. Very raw and aggressive. Would have even been more of a classic if they would have been able to release ANIMAL on it, as was intended. This album picked up when the Crue began to SUCK (Theatre of Pain). Thanks

From: glam_stixx	Date: May 11, 2005 at 21:38
Just bought the Snapper re-issue of this album. Sleazy rock for sleazy people. Nice Stones' cover....9/10 BTW Theatre Of Pain does not suck!

From: poproxx2007	Date: December 23, 2005 at 0:08
Perhaps the greatest metal cd of all time.....

From: Metal T	Date: February 2, 2006 at 18:13
Say what you want about Chris Holmes' guitar skills,but one thing is for d*mn sure,when he was in the band he brought a ton of attitude,which was evident live and in studio.Now 22 years old and still cranks very nice! Think Al and Tipper had a fit when they found this bad boy in their daughter's stereo ?

From: Figge	Date: October 23, 2006 at 16:57
Such a CLASSIC as stated more than once already in this thread, can't be said too many times. I played this to death as a kid and it can only be described as sheer love. :-) Sure, this band will always be remembered for their image and that is a shame. A quality metal/hard rock release!!!

From: Refugee80	Date: August 4, 2007 at 11:20
After owning this for 15 years i would say its still my fave and easily the all round best and most US heavy metal album, each song is 10/10 including the awesum bonus tracxks now on Show no mercy wow!!!! shame that after Still Not Black Enough (a awesum record) that they couldnt get a good sound.

From: crashdiet1313	Date: June 11, 2009 at 22:53
Absolute classic... Brilliant. Blackie is one of my favorite singers.

From: lalo r.o.c.k.	Date: March 16, 2010 at 23:47
Great memories back with this album, awesome and killers songs,I wanna be , Love machine,the hellion, catchy melodic hooks,classic 9/10.

From: pie75	Date: August 22, 2010 at 5:23
awsome debut,awsome band simple as that i love this album i did think the last command was better though but with songs like i wanna be somebody,l.o.v.e. machine,the flame,hellion,sleeping in the fire and on your knees are simply nothing more then essential

From: hair metal again	Date: July 21, 2011 at 1:23
fantastic debut by the great WASP back in 84 !american metal at its best ,this one is a classic!anthemic,raw,heavy ,hard rockin , it seems that this is perfect.highlights are "i wanna be somebody","L.O.V.E. machine " and "sleeping (in the fire)".essential for 80 s rockers

From: juan carlos	Date: January 2, 2012 at 19:21
Do I have to disagree with the majority here? NopE! This is an Absolute Masterpiece! Everybody said it here, i don't have to add anything. Ah yep One Thing: Children of Bodom did an Excellent Cover of "Hellion" what a Cover version!!. MASTERPIECE!! 95/100

From: rick kerch vzla	Date: January 3, 2012 at 0:05
Great debut!!!..."Animal","I Wanna Be Somebody","L.O.V.E. Machine","School Daze","Hellion","Sleeping(In The Fire)","On Your Knees" & "Tormentor"...songs that are part of the metal culture and a good "teacher" for the new generation of rockers...100/100

From: Buitre	Date: May 9, 2013 at 11:00
Classic, iconic, a must have for every metal fan around. This is one of the recordings that defined my musical taste. If you find it: buy it! 95/100

From: Doghouse Reilly

Date: March 17, 2016 at 21:22

W.A.S.P.'s debut is a rowdy, hollering, beer-chugging, blood-spilling good time. Sure, the production dates it immediately, and the songs themselves don't sound like anything besides mid-'80's metal. The lyrics some found so shoccking in 1984 seem laughable now (infact, they seemed laughable in 1994). Still, Blackie brings the big, angry singalong choruses, and his own inimitable voice. "School Daze" is the only true stinker in the bunch, and God, does it ever stink! Favorites are the admittedly goofy "L.O.V.E. Machine," "The Flame," "On Your Knees", "Speeing In The Fire" and top spot "The Hellion."

From: KermitTheFrog	Date: January 10, 2024 at 23:53
"Sleeping" is the song on this album you're looking for.

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