every artist gets one opportunity to define the epoch of their art. They then spend the remainder of their career trying to recapture it or trying to distance themselves from it because it has so clearly defined them. Almost typecast them (like Don Adams as Maxwell Smart). And this is the defining moment of the beast that is WASP. Really it should have been marketed as Blackie Lawless, not wasp since there was no WASP at the time. But that's another story.

Anyway...follow the life of Jonathan from nothing (the orphan son you never needed and the slave you gave just the air I breathe through the hedonism of his teens (the arena of pleasure where I belong) to the moment he meets the gypsy and she tell him that he will become the one (be careful what you wish for it might come true, the further he flies then the further he falls) and then Chainsaw Charlie and the One: the height of his power and fame. But reality bites...and the mornful longing of arguably the most soulful, honest track that any metal band ever recorded: Hold on to my heart...and the pain sees him die...in the great misconceptions of me

Ah it operatic metal but carried not by huge sound but rather content: the lyrics and the voice and honesty. This is an amazing album. The is the one that defines the art (or Fart if you believe some critics) of WASP. The epoch of the career. WASP will never make another album like this or as good as this because like I said, every artist gets that one moment that defines their career...

To some the music might sound a little dated...if you're a fad follower...but quality is quality and this is quality. Try it for yourself!

I commented on this album prior... the 2 disc re-release is wonderful for the inclusion of "Phantoms in the Mirror", and the live tracks including the powerful "The Idol", "Hold On To My Heart", and "I Am One". Hey, this rocks... I love it. Among my favorite albums EVER.

I'm a WASP fan. I've got all their stuff and I like most of it, including this one. But I have to say that I don't get why people praise this so much. It's good, no doubt about it. But I find it rather irritating to listen to, since so many of the songs have the EXACT SAME drums and chords. It's like the same song over and over with 10 different sets of lyrics (with the exception of a few songs that are truly different).

Sure, the common chords/drums kind of tie the whole thing together. I understand that this is a concept record. But it's just too repetitive for me.

On the up-side, there are some truly great tunes on here. Hold on to my Heart is an incredible song (very un-WASP, too). Bob Kulick does a commendable job on lead guitar, providing much more interesting and catchy leads than Chris Holmes ever did.

People say this is WASP's best, and maybe I'm just nuts, but I like Inside the Electric Circus and Dying for the World much more than this one.