Dominator

Released in 2007, Dominator represents a significant creative peak for W.A.S.P. during their later period. Moving away from the conceptual abstraction of The Neon God, Blackie Lawless crafted a focused, nine-track broadside against contemporary U.S. foreign policy. Sonically, the album is a bridge between the band's 80s melodic sensibilities and the darker, more progressive textures of The Crimson Idol. It features the debut of the long-standing lineup including Doug Blair and Mike Dupke, whose technical precision revitalized the band's sound. The centerpiece, 'Heaven's Hung in Black,' is widely regarded by critics and fans as one of the greatest metal ballads ever written, inspired by Abraham Lincoln's reaction to the casualties of the American Civil War. Despite label issues delaying its US release, the album received strong critical acclaim for its songwriting maturity and Lawless's undiminished vocal power.