W.A.S.P The last command

Playlist

The Last Command is the second album by the American heavy metal band W.A.S.P., released in November 9, 1985. The album was produced by Spencer Proffer, who was perhaps best known for producing the six-time Platinum selling album Metal Health by Quiet Riot in 1983. The Last Command is the first W.A.S.P. album to feature the work of drummer Steve Riley and the last album to feature founding member Randy Piper on guitar. @ Wikipedia

Tracks

All tracks are written by Blackie Lawless, except where indicated.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	“Wild Child”	Lawless, Chris Holmes	5:12
2.	“Ballcrusher”	Lawless, Holmes	3:27
3.	“Fistful of Diamonds”		4:13
4.	“Jack Action”	Steve Riley, Lawless	4:16
5.	“Widowmaker”		5:17

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	“Blind in Texas”		4:21
7.	“Cries in the Night”		3:41
8.	“The Last Command”		4:10
9.	“Running Wild in the Streets”	Lawless, Spencer Proffer	3:30
10.	“Sex Drive”	Lawless, Holmes	3:12

Released in 1985, The Last Command captures W.A.S.P. at the height of their raw power — unapologetic, aggressive, and driven by a sense of confrontation that defined mid-80s American heavy metal. While often overshadowed by later, more conceptual works, this album represents the band’s most direct and dangerous statement.

It is not subtle.
It is not reflective.
It is defiant.

A Sound Built on Rebellion and Excess

The Last Command thrives on momentum. The songs are sharp, fast, and built around immediate impact rather than layered meaning. Tracks like “Wild Child” and “Ballcrusher” became staples not because of complexity, but because they distilled the band’s confrontational energy into unforgettable hooks and chants.

Blackie Lawless’s vocals are commanding and theatrical, balancing menace and charisma. This is the voice of a band daring the listener to either recoil or submit — there is no middle ground.

Guitars, Groove, and Attitude

Chris Holmes’s guitar work defines the album’s identity. His riffs are muscular, aggressive, and rooted in hard rock swagger, while his solos favor attitude over polish. Songs like “Blind in Texas” showcase W.A.S.P.’s ability to blend sleaze, humor, and heaviness without losing intensity.

The rhythm section keeps everything grounded in groove, giving the album a physicality that makes it feel built for the stage rather than the studio.

Shock, Spectacle, and the 80s Metal Ethos

Lyrically, The Last Command embraces provocation. The themes revolve around rebellion, nightlife, violence, and excess — not as deep social critique, but as symbolic confrontation. At a time when metal was under constant moral scrutiny, W.A.S.P. leaned into controversy as identity.

This album does not ask to be understood.
It demands to be felt.

Legacy: The Foundation of W.A.S.P.’s Identity

In hindsight, The Last Command serves as the foundation upon which W.A.S.P. later built their more ambitious works. Without this album’s unapologetic aggression, there would be no The Headless Children, no The Crimson Idol.

It represents a band discovering how far they could push boundaries — musically, visually, and culturally.

Final Thoughts

The Last Command is pure mid-80s heavy metal distilled to its most confrontational form. It may lack the narrative depth of W.A.S.P.’s later albums, but it compensates with sheer force of personality.

This is the sound of a band issuing a challenge — and fully expecting you to answer.

Album Cover