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BLACKIE LAWLESS On Music He Has Written For Next W.A.S.P. Album: ‘There’s Parts Of It That Are Absolutely Breathtaking, And There’s Parts Of It That Are Crap’
W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless says the band has been working on new music, but he has not decided whether the material is strong enough to release. After back surgeries gave him time to revisit earlier recordings, he found some sections “absolutely breathtaking” and others “crap”. He says a new album would be about the band’s legacy, as streaming has made it difficult for artists to earn money from records.
Lawless says the new material must measure up to W.A.S.P.’s early albums, which he considers the records that made the band’s reputation. The follow-up to 2015’s *Golgotha* has been delayed by an intense touring schedule, and he previously said the demos had good moments but lacked consistency. He has described *Golgotha* as one of the best records he has worked on, setting a high bar for anything that follows.
In short
- Lawless says some new W.A.S.P. material is impressive, but some falls short.
- The band’s follow-up to 2015’s *Golgotha* remains unfinished.
- He says new music must stand up to the band’s early albums.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Releasing a new album could give W.A.S.P. a chance to extend its creative legacy, and Lawless’s demanding standard may help ensure the material is worthy of the band’s reputation. If parts are already compelling, careful revision could turn them into a consistent record that rewards long-standing listeners.
The case against
Holding back the album may be the more responsible choice if the songs do not meet the standard Lawless has set with the band’s earlier work. With touring already delaying the project and records bringing artists less income in the streaming era, releasing uneven material could risk the band’s legacy without offering a strong return.
Explained simply
W.A.S.P. are an American heavy metal band led by singer and songwriter Blackie Lawless. Their early albums established the group’s reputation, while their most recent studio album, Golgotha, was released in 2015.
The band’s touring schedule has delayed work on a follow-up, and Lawless has said new material needs to match the standard of those earlier records. He has also described Golgotha as one of his strongest albums, making it a demanding point of comparison.
The question of whether to release new music comes amid wider changes in the music business: streaming has made it harder for artists to earn money from recorded music. That leaves legacy and the quality of the work as important considerations for Lawless.