Great Metal Albums of 1989: Wrathchild- Delirium

Did you ever listen to an album, like that album but still find it hard to describe? Well, I’m having that problem with the third album from British glam metal band, Wrathchild and their album, “Delirium.” Okay, it’s not hard to describe but I have found it challenging to break the album down. Each song features the Wrathchild trademark of producing some great straight forward metal but still have fun while making it.

Like with their previous album, “The Biz Suxx,” Wrathchild use misspellings on the song titles. Why not? It’s catchy and it works. However, it’s the music on tracks like “That’s What U Get (When U Fall in Love)” and “My Girlz” which catch your attention. Both are catchy party tunes with plenty of hard rock swagger and there’s an interesting spoken bit in the middle of “My Girlz,” where it almost sound like they’re trying to rap.

For me, the real hero of “Delirium” is guitarist Lance Rocket. His guitar solo on the mentioned “My Girz” is the first of several mind blowing ones. Then it’s his opening riffs and power chords on the power ballad, “Long Way 2 Go.” Those riffs definitely grab you by the throat and the chords put the power in the ballad and of course his solo his quite good.

“Good Girlz” had plenty of swagger and I must point out that Rocky Shades’s vocals sound much better than on the previous album, especially on the this song. The backing vocals are top as well and did I mention the guitar solo from Lance? All good and because there isn’t evidence of a single from the album, I could say that both songs with “Girlz” in the title could be hidden gems. Saying that, “Do What U Wanna” is a close contender as well. More cool party vibes here with some cool guitar hooks and solo with more cool backing vocals. Whatever the case, the middle part of the album is the best part.

“Delirium” doesn’t totally fade away in the last part of the album, though “Kid Pusher” is one of those annoying dilemma songs where I really like it one minute and not too sure the next. They do go a bit out there on this one. Still, Lance belts out a blinder of a solo. Fortunately they go back to the party spirit on “She’s High On Luv.” I definitely think Wrathchild were better with melodic metal party anthems. It’s yet another one where you can’t help but bang your head along to. Great rhythm work on this one and while the remaining tracks are okay, “Rokk Me Over,” with it’s cool slow blues burn, is the last real noteworthy track on the album. It should have been the closer.

Track Listing:

1. Delirium
2. Watch Me Shake Me
3. That’s What U Get (When U Fall in Love)
4. My Girlz
5. Long Way 2 Go
6. Good Girlz
7. Do What U Wanna
8. Kid Pusher
9. She’s High on Luv
10. Rokk Me Over
11. Only 4 the Fun
12. Drive Me Krazy

Wrathchild

Rocky Shades- vocals

Lance Rocket- guitar

Marc Angel- bass

Eddie Starr- drums

I hypothesize that the unfortunate thing for Wrathchild is that glam metal and hair metal were on their way out in 1989 and why “Delirium” didn’t do well commercially. Shame, because there is a lot to like about it. Unfortunately, “Delirium” would be the last album Wrathchild would put out until 2011. Mike Ladano, take note as this could be added to your list of bands who have gone a long period of time between album.

Next post: W.A.S.P.- The Headless Children

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