Reidolized ( The Soundtrack to The Crimson Idol) is not a revisionist gimmick — it is a reclamation. Released decades after the original The Crimson Idol (1992), this version presents Blackie Lawless’s intended vision in its complete form, restoring narrative elements, dialogue, and structural cohesion that were previously constrained by label pressure and format limitations.
Released in 1992, The Crimson Idol is widely regarded as W. A. S. P.’s masterpiece and one of the most ambitious concept albums in heavy metal history. Conceived and written by Blackie Lawless, the album tells the tragic story of Jonathan Steel, a misunderstood young musician whose rise to fame is driven by rejection, obsession, and a desperate need for approval. Beneath the narrative, the album functions as a deeply personal reflection on fame, isolation, and the emotional cost of success.
W. A. S. P. is one of the most controversial, misunderstood, and enduring bands to emerge from the American heavy metal scene of the early 1980s. Formed in Los Angeles in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, the band became notorious almost instantly — not only for their aggressive sound, but for their provocative imagery, confrontational lyrics, and willingness to push boundaries at a time when heavy metal itself was already under scrutiny.
“ The Idol” is the emotional centerpiece of W. A. S. P.’s 1992 concept album The Crimson Idol. The song represents the tragic rise and inner collapse of Jonathan Steel, a character driven by fame, rejection, and the desperate need for validation. More than a typical heavy metal track, “ The Idol” unfolds as a dramatic narrative, blending music and storytelling into a powerful emotional experience.
