W.A.S.P.: 'Dominator' Audio Samples Available

Several audio samples from W.A.S.P.'s upcoming CD, "Dominator", have been posted online at this location. Due in the U.K. on April 16, Scandinavia on April 20, and the rest of mainland Europe on April 27 via Demolition Records, "Dominator" (view cover here) will feature the following track listing:

01. Mercy
02. Long, Long Way To Go
03. Take Me Up
04. The Burning Man
05. Heaven’s Hung In Black
06. Heaven’s Blessed
07. Teacher
08. Heaven’s Hung In Black (Reprise)
09. Deal With The Devil

The LP will be released in three versions: a standard single CD package, a limited-edition digipack, and limited-edition vinyl.

Commented W.A.S.P. mainman Blackie Lawless: "When I first started to write the songs for what would be this album, 'Dominator', I was unhappy and disturbed about America’s place in the world. Like most Americans after September 11th, I wanted to see the men that plotted and planned those attacks hunted down like the savage animals they are.

"I still do

"When the war in Iraq started, it seemed as if that 'hunt' would take place and justice would be served. As the war progressed, day after day, it was becoming obvious that we had been sold the greatest pack of lies since the days of Richard 'Tricky Dick' Nixon.

"These lies continue.

"Pete said, 'I get on my knees and pray, we don’t get fooled again.' Well, we got fooled… again!

"I watched the way the U.S. was talking down to other countries. That is to say, addressing smaller, less powerful countries with little to no respect. When I saw the exchange with George W. Bush and Britain's Tony Blair I was stunned at Bush's arrogance. We had all seen it before, but telling another world leader, while cameras are filming, to 'go down there and tell them I said to knock that shit off' (referring to the Middle East),left my jaw hanging open. Bush using Blair like some sort of 'errand boy' and this is America’s greatest ally. So we can only imagine what was going on with the other so-called allies.

"The more I thought about it, I realized that bigger countries abuse smaller countries similar to the way men do to women. Men abuse women, disrespect them and treat them like shit. Why?… because they can. In effect, a smaller country is treated by a more powerful country just like an abusive man-woman relationship, making them 'their bitch.'

"Upon first listening, or reading of these lyrics, one might think that it is written from the point of view of a man talking to a woman. In reality, it is a bigger, more powerful country talking to a weaker one. At the same time denying its own people, when the people need them the most.

"For me this concept was interesting, but saddening at the same time.

"'Dominator' is largely a view of American Imperialism and the 'bully' tactics it uses and enforces.

"I hate bullies!

"The last six years in America has been an unbelievable ride. After September 11th I was never more proud to be an American. After going to New Orleans and seeing the devastation and abandonment of that great city by its own Federal Government I was never more ashamed to be an American.

"The fundamental organizing principle by any Government is its ability to make war against and controlling its own people. We have seen that this American administration uses it not to benefit its own people in their moment of need and despair, but to abuse its power to 'dominate' the lesser countries of the world.

"'I'll make you cry for mercy, I'll make you cry out loud'

"I once wrote 'I love my country, but I’m scared to death of its Government.' Nothing I have ever written is more true!"

A video clip of W.A.S.P. performing the new song "Mercy" on September 6, 2006 at Kaliakra Stadium, Kavarna, Bulgaria has been posted online at YouTube.com. Several video clips of W.A.S.P. performing live in Athens, Greece on October 13, 2006 have been posted online at the W.A.S.P. MySpace group page at this location. A fall 2006 Finnish TV interview with W.A.S.P. mainman Blackie Lawless is available at YouTube.com.