Dubbed by some as a more commercial release than the previous two albums, personally I disagree (as though a record company would dare try to dictate to 6'5" 'Blackie Lawless'). I believe 'WASP' (they dropped the abbreviations here), broadened their sound and this is particularly evident by the more mature song writing and excellent covers, fear not though, there's still plenty of old school 'W.A.S.P.'. This is the first outing for ex-'King Cobra' bassist 'Johnny Rod' as 'Randy Piper' departed after the previous tour.

'The Big Welcome' an embarrassing circus farce, introduces the album and then its into the crunching title track, a typical WASP rocker, full of heavy guitars and aggressive lyrics. The album is further bolstered by two excellent covers, the first of which is 'Humble Pie's' 'I don't need no Doctor' and to be fair they make it their own, a real ripping version full of chugging axe work and 'Blackie's' snarling vocals. The other is my pick of the album 'Uriah Heep's' 'Easy Living', this is a brilliant rendition, which stays very close to the original, but is spiced up by some trademark 'WASP' rhythm and vocals. The UK chart single '9.5.-N.A.S.T.Y.' is probably the best track omitting the covers, a number that trades slower vocal section with aggressive crunching choruses- Great stuff. The excellently written 'Restless Gypsy' shows the path they would be taking with their next studio album, a very melodic piece, full of deep lyrics, harmonies and emotional vocals. 'Shoot from the Hip' is an innuendo saturated romp, enjoyable yes, memorable no. 'I'm Alive' is dedicated to "oppressive organisations", well so 'Blackie' says anyway, musically its a hit, another well penned number full of gut wrenching lyrics and a sweet galloping melody. 'Sweet Cheetah' and 'Mantronic' are typical solid rockers the former slightly more melodic, but nothing remarkable. Better is 'King of Sodom and Gomorrah', a pulsating number, with strong chorus and nice grooves along the way. The album closes with 'The Rock Rolls on' a pretty run-of-the-mill anthem.

Bonus tracks included with the re-released CD are 'Flesh and Fire', originally the flip side of '9.5.-N.A.S.T.Y.' and 'Douche Bag Blues', the former is a pretty solid chugger, probably only just missed out on album status. The latter is a blues heavy farce, thats very forgettable.

There's glimpses here of the excellence that will be displayed on 'Headless Children' and 'The Crimson Idol', but this release goes down as a cushion between the earlier raw side of 'WASP' and the more melodic late 80's approach.