I don't know why, but the cover just had something dark and horrific about it, and when you're 14-year old that was certainly a good sign for a metal record. 'Live In The Raw' is one of my favourite heavy metal live albums, blessed with a typical theatrical sleeve bathed in red light and parading some of the bands grisly props from skulls, to buzz saw blades to raw meat, this is true W.A.S.P., recorded live in Long Beach Arena and the California Theatre, U.S.A.The opening screams from the gagging crowd, and the introductory speech making way for the ominous riffs of 'Inside The Electric Circus', Chris Holmes on fire with his axe, fireworks exploding, sparks exploding from Blackie's crotch of leather, pure rock 'n' roll theatre and mayhem, a parade of pyrotechnics and fake blood, bursting through the bands fiery classics, 'L.O.V.E. Machine' standing out with its robust chorus, 'Sleeping (In The Fire)' swaying in the night breeze and 'The Manimal' growling at the rafters.
This is a pure heavy metal experience, how metal gigs should be, sweaty, bloody and drenched in drama and showy effects. Forget the remastered cd, get the vinyl, spin it when the lights are low and wade in the juices of one of the genres most over the top bands. For me, this is W.A.S.P.'s peak performance.
8.5/10
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