W.A.S.P. Gears Up for New Music Amidst Touring Chaos

In a candid interview with Erin Greatrix of This Day In Metal, W.A.S.P.'s legendary frontman Blackie Lawless opened up about the band's ongoing efforts to craft new music amidst the chaos of a grueling touring schedule. "We've been working on stuff for quite some time," Lawless stated, revealing that he's also been juggling writing a book. The harsh reality of the music industry today is that bands are no longer raking in cash from record sales; it's the live shows that keep the lights on. With their relentless tour schedule, the prospect of recording becomes a daunting challenge.

Lawless delved into the songwriting process for the long-awaited follow-up to W.A.S.P.'s 2015 album, "Golgotha." In a previous interview with Z-Rock Radio, he expressed the frustration of fans clamoring for updates, stating, "It's a big world out there, and it takes a long time to get to all these different cities." With a year packed full of North American and South American gigs, the band is now gearing up for an extensive European tour, leaving little room for the creative juices to flow.

Amidst the touring grind, Lawless confirmed to KNAC.COM that they’ve been laying down some solid tracks. "We had done quite a bit of work in between the American tour and the European tour," he said. However, a severe back injury that required surgery has forced him to take a step back, giving him time to reflect on their demo recordings. While he hears promising moments, he acknowledges that the new material lacks the consistency of their previous work, particularly the standout record, "Golgotha."

For Lawless, the stakes are higher than ever; the new music must not only hold its own but surpass the legacy of their iconic hits. "It's all about your legacy," he stressed, emphasizing that today's bands are not just competing with the industry but with the revered memories of their past. He articulated the pressure artists face when new material is perceived as an 'opening act' to the classics that fans have cherished for decades. It’s a daunting task to create something that can compete with beloved anthems like "L.O.V.E. Machine" and "I Wanna Be Somebody."

Reflecting on the weight of nostalgia, Lawless remarked, "Music creates memories, the same way smell does. We remember where we were when we heard a certain song, and those memories hold power." As he gears up for the new album, he knows that the challenge of meeting those high expectations is monumental. But if anyone can rise to that occasion, it’s Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P., who have spent decades carving their name into the annals of metal history.