W.A.S.P.
THE NEON GOD: PART 2 - THE DEMISE

October 2004
Released: 2004, Noise / Sanctuary
Rating: 4.3/5
Reviewer: Luxi Lahtinen

THE DEMISE is the final chapter in Blackie’s most extensive concept album THE NEON GOD and it’s finally available to my W.A.S.P.–loving ears now. The first part of the NEON GOD was THE RISE and it proved quite clearly that W.A.S.P. is still a part of the heavy metal scene, even after the twenty years that have passed since their self-titled debut. Good things have a tendency to remain forever. They never get rusty and W.A.S.P.’s main engine Blackie Lawless continues to work like a well-oiled machine. THE RISE will always remain as one of the best W.A.S.P. albums ever in my book and no one can question that … ever!



So what about this sequel then? Well, it would be an injustice to say it’s a letdown, because it’s not. On the other hand, I have the guts to say it doesn’t top THE RISE. Having said that, THE NEON GOD is a damn good and enjoyable album.



Unlike my review of THE RISE, I have no intention of analyzing the songs on THE DEMISE song by song. Instead, I feel the need to kick your ass in order to convince you that THE DEMISE is an album not to be ignored. It’s full of Blackie’s sharp sense for strong melodies, beautifully laid harmonies and well rocking stuff. Hell, we’re talking about W.A.S.P. here. You should already know what to expect.



THE DEMISE isn’t as varied an album as THE RISE and it doesn’t contain as strong and catchy song arrangements as THE RISE has. But it’s still a very well-crafted album. For example, songs like “The Demise”, “All My Life” and “Destinys To Come” are excellent tour-de-forces. The album’s massive and lengthy grande finale is “The Last Redemption” and it clocks in at 13:39. It’s a perfect closing tune for THE NEON GOD saga. It´s epic, symphonic, depressing, melancholy, beautiful, etc.



As I promised, no in-depth analysis whatsoever this time. It’s better to let the music do the talking instead of reading my hyped-up opinion as a loyal W.A.S.P. fan since 1984. It’s definitely a great album.