W.A.S.P. Still Not Black Enough

Full Album

Still Not Black Enough is the sixth studio album by W.A.S.P., first released in June 10, 1995 in Japan only. It was not released in the U.S. until August 1996 through Castle Records.

Tracks

All songs written by Blackie Lawless, unless otherwise indicated

“Still Not Black Enough” – 4:02
“Somebody to Love” (Darby Slick) – 2:50
“Black Forever” – 3:17
“Scared to Death” – 5:02
“Goodbye America” – 4:46
“Tie Your Mother Down” (Brian May) – 3:39 (Queen cover)
“Keep Holding On” – 4:04
“Rock and Roll to Death” – 3:44
“Breathe” – 3:44
“I Can’t” – 3:07
“No Way Out of Here” – 3:39

Album Cover

Released in 1995, Still Not Black Enough stands as one of the most personal and emotionally charged albums in the W.A.S.P. catalog. Emerging during a period of deep transition — both for the band and for heavy metal as a whole — the record captures Blackie Lawless at his most vulnerable, confrontational, and introspective.

This is not an album of spectacle.
It is an album of exposure.

A Dark and Intimate Atmosphere

Unlike the theatrical shock-rock excess of W.A.S.P.’s early years, Still Not Black Enough trades provocation for confession. The tone is somber, heavy, and emotionally raw, reflecting the isolation and frustration of a band navigating the post-glam, post-grunge era.

Tracks such as “Still Not Black Enough,” “Black Forever,” and “Scared to Death” are driven less by aggression and more by a suffocating sense of introspection and emotional weight.

Lyrical Themes: Alienation and Identity

Lyrically, the album confronts themes of rejection, self-doubt, faith, anger, and survival. The title itself suggests a perpetual sense of not belonging — not fitting expectations, not being accepted, not being understood.

Blackie Lawless delivers some of his most honest writing here, addressing personal conflict without filters or mythic abstraction. There is bitterness, but also clarity — a man refusing to sanitize his inner struggle.

Musical Direction: Heavy Without Glamour

Musically, Still Not Black Enough is dense and restrained. The riffs are heavy but deliberate, avoiding flashy hooks in favor of mood and tension. The production is darker and more grounded, emphasizing atmosphere over immediacy.

Blackie’s vocal performance is particularly notable — strained, emotional, and human. This is not the voice of a character; it is the voice of a man under pressure.

Context and Reassessment

At the time of its release, Still Not Black Enough was misunderstood by many fans expecting either a return to classic W.A.S.P. or a full embrace of modern metal trends. Instead, the album existed in a liminal space — too dark for nostalgia, too personal for commercial reinvention.

In retrospect, it stands as one of the band’s most honest works — a document of survival rather than triumph.

Final Thoughts

Still Not Black Enough is not an easy listen, nor does it aim to be. It is introspective, heavy, and emotionally demanding. For listeners willing to engage with its darkness, the album reveals a depth that few W.A.S.P. releases dare to reach.

This is W.A.S.P. without armor — bruised, defiant, and still standing.