The Crimson Idol
| The Crimson Idol | ||||
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| Studio album by W.A.S.P. | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Recorded | Fort Apache Recording Studio in Hollywood | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 57:47 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Producer | Blackie Lawless | |||
| W.A.S.P. chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Crimson Idol | ||||
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
The Crimson Idol is the fifth studio album by heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released internationally in 1992 through Capitol Records and on May 24, 1993 in the United States; a remastered edition was reissued in 1998, containing a bonus disc of B-sides and live material from 1992. The album charted within the top 40 in five countries. It is a concept album, telling the story of the rise and fall of a fictional rock star named Jonathan Steel.
Taking nearly three years to complete, The Crimson Idol was originally recorded as a Blackie Lawless solo album, but bandleader Lawless bowed to fan pressure and released it under the W.A.S.P. name. Unusually, the album's tour—named The Crimson Idol Tour—took place fifteen years after its release to mark its fifteenth anniversary, commencing on October 26, 2007 at the Principal Club Theater in Thessaloniki, Greece.
A film recorded for the album was also shown in public for the first time, which was played along with the band as they performed their tracks to it in synch. The show marked the only time that the album has ever been played from start to finish by the band since its recording. "Mephisto Waltz", the seventh track from The Headless Children (1989), served as the show's opener, followed by "The Titanic Overture", the first track from The Crimson Idol. All shows had a long encore section ranging from 2–6 songs, containing W.A.S.P. classics as well as "Take Me Up" from their 2007 album Dominator.
The story of The Crimson Idol revolves around a teenager named Jonathan. He is the son of William and Elizabeth Steel, and brother of Michael Steel. Michael is the favored son of his parents, but Jonathan is a complete failure in their eyes. After Michael is killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, Jonathan runs away from home and starts to wander the streets, becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. While walking past a music store, he sees a guitar and desires to become a rock star. He breaks the display window with a bottle of booze, thus beginning his journey into acclaimed excess.
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Wikipedia